Abstract:

The job market in Poland has definitely changed in the last years (in favour of the employee). There is observed a decrease in unemployment and an increase in the average pay. At the same time, every year, the number of higher education degree holders increases and the job market is not prepared for such changes. Finding a job once you completed your studies is a great challenge. Competences and skills the students can acquire during their studies are becoming of key importance. For the education process the application of the methods and tools also applicable in your professional career is getting crucial. Spreadsheet is an example of such tools and the knowledge of that tool is becoming indispensable in your job, also in accounting and controlling.

The students were surveyed in terms of having classes in a form of a computer lab with the use of spreadsheet. The survey covered the courses of managerial accounting, cost accounting and IT application in commerce and services. The aim of the publication has been to present the results of the study, which have been provided in tables and figures.

The results of the research indicate that the respondents are positive about the course tutorials provided in a form of computer lab with the use of spreadsheet. Only one of 126 respondents demonstrated dissatisfaction, while 2 respondents expressed no opinion. As many as 98.5% of the respondents showed that they had acquired new skills. Only 25% persons did not apply the skills they have acquired and 41% applied them in other tutorials, 13% - to develop their diploma papers, 24% - in their professional work, 35% - at home, 3% - other (to study for a test, for statistics in father's company). As many as 21% of the respondents indicated that they had been asked about their skills or the skills had been verified at an interview. 75 out of 126 respondents also participated in an interview. Only 40% of the persons had never participated in an interview, which suggests that the students of the Faculty of Management, the UTP University of Science and Technology, already during their studies demonstrate a high professional activity.

The conclusions indicate a need for practical tutorials, especially as a computer lab. The results of the study clearly point to the applicability of such form of classes while studying and outside of their studies (in professional life, in private life).

Keywords:

Higher education, spreadsheet, management accounting, cost accounting, teaching, education, learning technologies.