Dr. McGown plans to use this grant to purchase equipmetn, software and other instructional materials that will link the classroom to real world experiences. The general approach and specific pedagogical tools that I use in the classroom are consisiten with my goal of helping students have an experience that will result in lifelong learning. It is important to me that students leave my course with not just an inventory of technical knowledge but with a collective understanding of the tools and concepts covered and the ability to extrapolate these concepts in any applicable context. Students are encouraged to view accounting from a value chain perspective.
Cost accountants provide a small but essential link in the entire decision making process.
Input from other disciplines affects what we do and our output affects decisions made in other disciplines. Last but certainly not least, I want my students to realize that I teach this course because of them. As a personal gauge of my success in the classrom, I like to complete each semester with the feeling that I have made a substantial and enjoyable contribution to my students' education without compromising my standards. Dr. McGowan's teaches an undergraduate course in cost accounting and the honors section of managerial accounting. Her research focuses on the technical and behavioral implications of cost management system design and implementation.