Peer Review

Time Value of Money Learning Object

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Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This learning object combines a PowerPoint and video presentation to teach Time Value of Money basics (present value, future value, lump sums, annuities, perpetuity).
Type of Material:: Lecture/presentation.
Recommended Uses:: Both in class and as homework completed individually.
Technical Requirements:: PowerPoint and media player software.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: To learn the basics of time value of money concepts.
Target Student Population:: College General Education, Principles of Accounting and/or an Introduction to Finance course.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Introductory understanding of interest.

Rating:
Strengths:: Clean, uncluttered, simple and straight-forward. Terminology and descriptions exact. Easy to follow and understand. Examples simple and universal to any calculator. Nice to see the text of the presentation while hearing the hearing audio portion. Gives the module a little "warmth" and humanity.
Concerns:: Would be nice if present/future value tables were referenced or somehow incorporated into the presentation.

Rating:
Strengths:: Learning objectives are identified. Concepts are reinforced progressively with relationships demonstrated between them. The module is very efficient, in that users can learn much in a short time (10 minutes). Overall, this Time Value of Money learning object is very effective as a teaching tool.
Concerns:: Would be nice if some exercises were included to give users a chance to do some calculations on their own. A general introduction to the illustration on how a calculator could be used to do the calculations would help.

Rating:
Strengths:: Time Value of Money is easy to use and engaging. It is simple, straight-forward, and visually appealing. Overall design quality for a lecture/presentation is excellent.
Concerns:: The module's primary weakness is its lack of interactivity. Instructors will need to provide an assignment to confirm students' understanding.

Other Issues and Comments:: This learning object is a refreshingly simple module! The topic of time value of money, especially present value, can be conceptually difficult to grasp. An uncomplicated, short presentation like this one would be valuable to students. It is very carefully planned and designed to present the most fundamental elements effectively. The entire presentation is easy to follow and understand. Ten minutes seems to be a perfect length. Examples are cear and use small numbers so that the calculations are easy to do. As a result students are not distracted by complex number crunching and can focus on the concepts being taught.
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