An exploratory study : testing the effectiveness of a live-streamed lecture at tertiary level for accounting students
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
Orientation: Unrest on South African higher education campuses compelled universities to search for alternatives to traditional physical lectures.
Research purpose: This study investigated whether live-streamed lectures could be an effective ad hoc alternative for accounting students at a South African university.
Motivation for the study: An alternative to physical lectures is necessary to ensure that the academic programme can continue and student performance be maintained during times when classes are disrupted.
Research design/approach and method: A randomised control trial was chosen as the method to test the effectiveness of a live-streamed lecture. Participants were randomly allocated to attend either the physical accounting lecture or the synchronous live-streamed lecture. A comprehension test followed the said lecture for all participants.
Main findings: The results of the test revealed that participants who live-streamed the lecture performed better than participants who attended the physical lecture. Gender was not a determining factor for the difference in performance when making use of live-streaming facilities, but race and background might influence performance. The majority of participants who live-streamed the lecture stated that they focused better with live streaming than they normally do in the class.
Practical/managerial implications: Tertiary institutions are advised to acquire or implement live-streaming solutions that will help to ensure that classes can continue undisturbed during unrest on campus.
Contribution/value-add: It was concluded that live streaming could uphold student performance when used temporarily in unusual circumstances.
Description
CITATION: Smit, S. & Rossouw, M. 2019. An exploratory study : testing the effectiveness of a live-streamed lecture at tertiary level for accounting students. Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences, 12(1):a401, doi:10.4102/jef.v12i1.401.
The original publication is available at https://jefjournal.org.za
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
The original publication is available at https://jefjournal.org.za
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Accounting -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa, Live-streamed lectures -- Effectiveness -- South Africa, Curriculum planning -- South Africa
Citation
Smit, S. & Rossouw, M. 2019. An exploratory study : testing the effectiveness of a live-streamed lecture at tertiary level for accounting students. Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences, 12(1):a401, doi:10.4102/jef.v12i1.401