I succeed when students embrace the notion that learning is life-long and enjoyable. To succeed in this motion, I cannot spoonfeed facts to students for the purpose of regurgitation on tests. Each class session must contain the elements of discovery, analysis, application, and synthesis of the subject matter so that students begin to evaluate accounting situations and determine the implications for society. Evaluation and synthesis are difficult for students. The comfort level of the class changes when the spoonfeeding stops.
Students require a push into the realm of critical thinking and decision making.
I try to push with provocative questions splashed with my practical experiences and a little humor. My mind is open, so I learn in most class periods. Students teach me by asking questions I have not thought of before or by challenging my viewpoints. Most of my students have practical experience that is different than mine. By comparing and contrasting the multiple experiences to find commonalitities and differences, everyone in the class learns a lot more about the real world they will face soon.