Using Study Groups For Discussions Roger A. Gee, CPA Professor of Accounting San Diego Mesa College

What You Will Learn How my students use online study groups What types of discussion topics work best in online study groups How and when to grade original and reply messages How to set up study groups within learning modules

How My Students Use Study Groups They click on Learning Modules in Course Tools menu They click on a particular learning module They click on the discussion topic for that learning module They create original messages in response to the discussion topic The reply to other messages within their study group

What Types of Discussion Topics Work Best in Online Study Groups Topics that are not too easy or difficult for most students in the course Topics that call for decisions with factual support Topics that require interpretation of material in modules Topics that require a little internet research Topics without calculations

Topic = Not Too Easy or Difficult Please introduce yourself to your fellow students and tell them why you are taking this course. Also, identify one of the sections of the syllabus that was a surprise to you. Pick a section that another student has not yet discussed. Reply to another student’s message and welcome him or her to your group. Your original message is worth up to 4 points. Your reply message is worth up to 2 points. Please use business-style language. I deduct for errors in spelling and grammar, and for stinking thinking. Professor Gee

Topic Requires Decision With Support Examine Home Depot's consolidated balance sheet for the current year end in Appendix A. Create an adjusting entry (that another student hasn’t created) using one of the asset or liability accounts shown along with a revenue or expense account. Explain the reason for the adjusting entry using one of the learning objectives discussed on pages 146 – 156. Reply to another student's message (or yours if you posted first) by offering a different reason for the adjustment. The grading is = 6.

Topic Requires Interpretation Turn to pages A-14 and A-15 in Appendix A. Answer one of the following questions: a. After looking at the Store Data section, what conclusions can you draw about Home Depot during the ten-year period shown? b. After looking at the last line of the Statement of Earnings section, what does the ten- year trend in net earnings as a percentage of net sales mean to you as an investor? Don't forget to rely to another student's message. Grading = = 6.

Bad Topic = Wrong Calculation Copied Assume that you work at a company that has a retirement plan. It invests one dollar for every two dollars that you invest. The plan has been averaging a 10% annual return on investment. Assume that you plan to have $1,000,000 in the fund before you retire. How many years would you invest in the plan? How much per year should you invest? What would you do with the money if you achieve your goal? Don't forget to respond to another student's message. Grading = = 6.

Bad Topic = Too Difficult Look over the consolidated balance sheets in the Home Depot Annual Report in Appendix A. Name one account that has a debit balance or one that has a credit balance. Pick an account that another student has not yet chosen. Explain why it has a debit or credit balance based upon the rules illustrated on page 91 (worth up to 4 points). Also, reply to another student’s answer by indicating whether or not you agree with his or her reasoning and why (worth up to 2 points). --Professor Gee

How and When to Grade Original & Reply Messages Click on Discussions in Course Tools menu and click on Grade Topic action link Select the View Student Post people-link option for each student After viewing posts, select the Send Mail people-link option to share points and comments with each student Student posts should be graded within one or two days of the due date for each topic

How to Set Up Study Groups Within Learning Modules Click on Group Manager in the Course Tools menu Click on Create Groups and select Create Multiple Groups Use Study Group as a group name Create empty groups and add members later Limit group size to one dozen students

How to Set Up Study Groups Within Learning Modules Click on the boxes of the study groups in which you have students In the Create Group Activity box, select Discussion Topic and click on the < Select Threaded Topic instead of blog or journal Enter Discussion 00 in Title box In the Description box type the topic details Select your grading options

How to Set Up Study Groups Within Learning Modules Click on the Build tab and click on Learning Modules in the Course Tools menu Select the appropriate learning module Click on Add Content Link and select Discussion Select the appropriate discussion title including study groups Position the discussion title including study groups within the learning module

How to Set Up Study Groups Within Learning Modules Better yet: Work with a course designer Any questions?