Cell phones ready? A study about the accounting students’ perception on audience response system (ARS)

Abstract

The Audience Response System (ARS) is an educational technology that promotes quiz activities. Its use aims to promote more student participation and motivation and can be considered by accounting teachers. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the accounting students' perceptions on the Plickers and Kahoot! models. The study is characterized as a survey research and was developed at a higher education institution located in Paraná during the 3rd and 4th bimester of 2017 with three classes (n = 68). In order to collect the data, questionnaires were administered at the end of the research period to obtain sociodemographic information and the students’ perception about the use of ARSs. Descriptive statistics indicated that SRAs provide quick feedback, make classes fun, and create more classroom interactivity. Wilcoxon's paired tests pointed out that, in general, students prefer the Kahoot! model overthe Plickers. Among the Kahoot!,Plickers, and Paper Print Questions for quiz activities, descriptive statistics supported that students preferthe Kahoot!. In addition, the proportion tests showed that there is a significant difference of preference between younger and older students. Evidence supported the idea that the use of technologies is positively perceived by students. The following implications are highlighted: (i) it is reinforced that ARSs can bring benefits to the teaching-learning process; (ii) the findings can help teachers and institutions make decisions about which ARS model to adopt.