A Problem-Solving Based Teaching Approach to Database Design

Abstract

Although Database skills are essential skills required for accounting students, a substantial gap exists between available and required skill levels in the industry. The significant changes in accounting information systems in modern enterprises require revisions to the accounting curriculum. When addressing this gap, researchers have identified a hands-on approach as the preferred method for learning Information Technology (IT) related skills such as in databases. The industry prefers students with hands-on learning projects mimicking real-life situations involving fixing problems rather than following steps. To this end, we develop a problemsolving based approach to enhance hands-on learning in database design. In this teaching module, students fix a partially completed database with defects intentionally placed by theinstructor. By involving in active thinking to fix and enhance the database, students not only gain confidence in working with databases but also learn valuable concepts in database design.