Teaching the case method in an advanced management accounting course in a passive learning environment

This paper describes the experiences and challenges involved in teaching a case-based course in advanced management accounting to students in Malaysia, where the learning environment is more passive. The paper provides a detailed description of the course outline and course content as well as pedagogy and assessment of the Seminar in Cost and Management Accounting course in a large Malaysian public university. The paper, while acknowledging that case studies have numerous benefits, argues that instructors using this pedagogy in a passive learning environment need to adapt the approach to enhance learning. The paper then proceeds with recommendations for instructors, universities and educational authorities to resolve the many problems faced by accounting educators teaching case-based courses in a passive learning environment. Possible avenues for future research are also discussed.