Peer Review

XBRL in Plain English- youtube video

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Apr 23, 2010 by Business

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This Youtube video provides a brief history of XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and why it is useful. It is a great video to watch to understand the basics of XBRL. The video also provides additional resources to learn more about the topic.

Type of Material:

Tutorial

Recommended Uses:

In class, individual, lecture

Technical Requirements:

Web Browser

Identify Major Learning Goals:

To provide accounting educators/students with a nice summary of the importance of XBRL, the new standard form of SEC reporting and financial analysis.
To describe the initiative of the SEC.
To explain terminology associated with XBRL.

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic accounting knowledge. Understanding of basic financial reporting.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The author provides the audience with an excellent summary of the basics of XBRL. Thee auditory portion is enthusiastic and fast paced. The design and images included are very humorous and capture one's attention. Even though the pace is fast, enough repetition exists so that the main points are highlighted. An alternate version of the same video can be found by using the mirror site link. The alternate version is text enhanced for the hearing impaired.
Concerns:: Since the video has been prepared, Chris Cox is no longer chairman of the SEC. Still the reference is not inaccurate, as it cited him as a driver of the XBRL movement in the US.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: Learning objectives are included within the first 20 seconds of the video, namely, what is XBRL and why is it important to me? The author continuously reinforces the point about how using XBRL is different from the monolithic approach of the past. Simple analogies are used, such as bar codes, that foster understanding. Many good points are made, including and linking the global relevance of the topic as well as the need for a global standard. Students will learn much in a short time.
Concerns:: Mentions XML but doesn’t explain it.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: This video is quick-paced, fun, and humorous to watch, and yet delivers an excellent introduction to the topic. The presentation is professionally done in terms of layout and design. Vocal inflections used by the speaker are excellent and help maintain the viewer's attention.
Concerns:: Presentation does lack interactivity with audience.

Other Issues and Comments:: An excellent useful tool. Well worth viewing. This video is very good, keeping the subject at an accessible and nonthreatening level to those who need to know about it.
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