IUPUC faculty member Larita Killian, Ed.D., recently served on a panel on experiential learning in accounting at the American Accounting Association 2009 Annual Meeting and Conference on Teaching and Learning in Accounting.

Killian discussed the role of service-learning in promoting “incidental learning” skills, drawing examples from the IUPUC alternative spring break.  

Incidental learning skills include leadership, teamwork, empowerment, persistence, and “learning to become” a professional and contributing citizen. 

“Instructors have always hoped that students develop these sills in their courses, along with technical knowledge,” Killian said. “What’s different now is that we are making incidental learning part of the formal agenda and attempting to measure it.”  

Also at the conference, Killian co-presented, with Dr. Marsh Huber of Otterbein College, a half-day workshop for other accounting professors. Killian and Huber showed participants how to use the Fink taxonomy to incorporate new learning dimensions into accounting courses.

The Fink “Taxonomy of Significant Learning” identifies six learning dimensions, from foundation knowledge and application through the human dimension and learning to learn. 

“Traditionally, accounting educators have emphasized foundation knowledge but have not encouraged students to develop the other learning dimensions.  Yet the other dimensions are necessary for students to be successful beyond the classroom,” Killian said. “Students see that accurate financial statements are critical for real people to perform their jobs. They also have an opportunity to experience a professional business environment and learn how a particular firm applies accounting models in their setting.” 

Killian is an assistant professor of accounting for the Division of Business at IUPUC.