Classroom exercises with technology and communication skills: students’ perceptions

Abstract

Purpose Selecting the appropriate type of technology to incorporate in the classroom to promote comfort with professional uses of technology is important. In addition, the use of technology and good oral communication skills are valued by prospective employers. Students are stakeholders in their education, so it is important to obtain their perceptions. The purpose of this study was to obtain students’ perceptions about active learning exercises which were created to promote comfort with professional uses of technology and oral communication skills. Design/methodology/approach Six accounting classes were asked to complete a survey which assessed various classroom exercises that included the use of technology and oral communication skills while learning course content. Findings Overall, the students had a positive perception about the classroom exercises. Originality/value Few studies have evaluated the students’ perception of using the iternet to assist in the learning process. None have assessed the students’ perceptions as to whether those exercises have improved their comfort with technology. In addition, past studies are greater than 15 years old, and much has changed in technology and the internet. The literature has provided studies on the communications skills required of accounting students but does not study the students’ perceptions of exercises trying to improve their skills. In addition, the exercises included in this study are generalizable and can be applied to other subject matter.

Students’ Potential Abilities as Correlates of Self-Employment Start-Up Intentions: Evidence from Private Sector-Led Technical and Vocational Education Institutions in Nigeria

“…Communication and collaboration skills are referred to as soft skills, or some of the main elements of generic skills as they can enable individual to communicate clearly, use oral, written, and non-verbal languages, and collaborate effectively and responsibly with diverse populations (Al-Alawneh, Hawamleh, Al-Jamal & Sasa, 2019). As such, scholars have argued that such skills are required in the workplace as almost all jobs require interaction and collaboration with others (Gioiosa & Kinkela, 2019). Scholars have specifically argued that communication skills are key success factor for the entrepreneurs in a variety of situations in convincing their business partners and presenting ideas, plans or products when dealing with clients (Kyndt & Baert, 2015).…”

Do information and communication technologies influence skills, competencies, health and well-being of teenagers? Current evidence

“…Moreover, Gioiosa and Kinkela [32] had a similar result in their survey conducted on college students in New York, in which 78% of students agreed on the blending of technologies in classes has improved their communication skills and facilitate information search on the internet. On the other hand, several studies deny the benefits of the internet on teenagers' skills where abusive usage was identified.…”

“…Five studies found that teenagers who use mobile phones and computers to access the internet are more likely to have digital literacy improved that contributed to their awareness and perception of the risk related to the publication of data online [25][26][27]29,30]. Moreover, three studies examined the same technologies (internet, mobile phones, computer) influence their digital skills that facilitate learning experience [28,31,32].…”

A Phenomenological Exploration of EAP International Students’ Speaking and Listening Experience with PechaKucha Presentations

“…Communication skills are strongly tied to students' academic and future professional success [16]. Developing communication skills has always been one of the greatest concerns of most teachers and students in any field of study and especially in second language education (17)(18)(19). In the context of the 21st century, communication is deemed as one of the four essential skills that students are expected to develop.…”