Own Development

Finding the perfect teaching style is a challenge for any teacher. My challenge included finding a style that works for management accounting and specifically large classes and still being able to provide value to students through teaching and apply my teaching philosophy of visualisation, understanding and application.

I attended the following courses over the last few years in order to develop my own teaching style:

• 2009: Course through SAICA, after which I was registered as a trainee assessor. This enabled me to train and assess auditing trainees in practice
• 2011: The PREDAC programme for newly appointed academics of Stellenbosch University, which enabled me to reflect on my own teaching style, learning and assessments
• 2013: Completion of the blended learning course presented by Stellenbosch University
• 2015:  iSpring training workshop: Using SCORM packages to facilitate learning; this is an extension of the blended learning course I completed in 2013
• 2017: I presented my teaching style in an iByte session (IT information and learning session presented to staff of Stellenbosch University) on 26 May 2017. In this session I shared my experience in using an iPad during formal lectures, but also learned from other presenters how to effectively use an iPad in teaching and research.

I also believe that a lecturer needs to be a specialist in his/her field. I therefore empower myself with continued professional development.

• 2014 – 2015: I completed my MCom degree at the University of Stellenbosch. My thesis was based on a field within management accounting – refer to my research page for more detail on this.
• 2017: I did a semester module, Introduction to Econometrics 771, at Stellenbosch University to empower me with the tools to do empirical research in management accounting. The course are presented to Economics Honours students and provides knowledge on the use of cross-section and time-series econometric research models. I will be able to make use of these models in my future research in management accounting.

My continued development in both the field of management accounting, as well as empowering myself with new teaching techniques through the courses attended above has allowed me to reflect on my teaching and build on my teaching philosophy. The blended learning teaching style I have developed, as reflected through my teaching style and practice, and by keeping updated and passionate about my subject field, is proving to provide value to students as reflected in general feedback received from students in 2015 & 2016:

Through my own development and continued reflection thereof, I am ensuring that my teaching practices are relevant, inspiring and successful.