Improving the student experience by using accounting students as teaching assistants in tutorials

This paper discusses the successful implementation of the use of final-year accounting students, known as teaching assistants (TAs), to improve the learning experience of students in the first year of their course. TAs were paid to attend tutorials and provide assistance to students under the direction of the tutor. The university's survey of course experience showed a significant increase in perceptions of good teaching. Subsequent surveying of students who had been in the TA-resourced courses provided data suggesting that the TA Scheme was a significant factor influencing the course experience data improvement. Evidence of improved grade distributions also provides strong support of the TAs. The cost of the project has been funded for two years which provides evidence that projects with identifiable success will attract funding