The Effects of Experiential Learning Approach on Accounting Ability of First-Year Students at Zhengzhou University of Science and Technology

Background and Aim: This experimental research aimed to 1) compare accounting ability before and after learning through the Experiential Learning Approach, 2) compare accounting ability with the determined criterion of 70 percent, and 3) assess students’ satisfaction after learning through the Experiential Learning Approach. Materials and Methods: The Sample of this study was 30 first-year students (1 classroom) from Zhengzhou University of Science and Technology in Henan province, the People's Republic of China, derived by the cluster random sampling method. The research instruments were as follows: 1) the appropriateness of lesson plans were using Experiential Learning Approach on Accounting Course was at very high level (M=4.63, SD= 0.49), 2) students’ accounting ability test divided in 2 parts: Part I was multiple choice test with a difficulty (p=0.43-0.70) and discrimination (r=0.20-0.47) with reliability index of .82 and Part 2 was practical skill test with reliability index of .83, and 3) student satisfaction questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.72. The statistics used to analyze data were mean, standard deviation, t-test for dependent samples, and t-test for one sample. Results: The results revealed that 1) the students’ accounting ability after learning through Experiential Learning Approach on Accounting Course was higher than before at statistically significant level of .01 ( t = 11.40, p < .001), 2) the students’ accounting ability after learning through Experiential Learning Approach on Accounting Course was higher than the determined criterion of 70 percent at a significance level of .01 (t = 3.62, p < .001), and 3) the students’ satisfaction after learning through Experiential Learning Approach on Accounting Course was at a very high level (M=4.59, SD=0.53). Conclusion: The knowledge gained from the research is a 5-steps using the Experiential Learning Approach in Accounting Course, which consists of (1) Introduction and preparation, (2) Facilitating case studies, (3) Guiding conceptualization and simulation internship, (4) Practical exercises, and (5) Summary and reflection. It has been found to enhance students’ accounting ability of students.