The case discussion method

Case studies are stories with a pedagogical objective. The narrative component engages students and helps them apply theoretical knowledge in concrete situations. To solve cases, students must work collaboratively and hypothesize, problem solve, research, evaluate, and make decisions, all skills at higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy. Many free online databases of peer-reviewed cases are available, and cases exist in a variety of different formats (e.g. PBL, case discussion, intimate debate, role play, jigsaw, journal cases, etc), giving instructors options to best suit their classroom needs. In this session, you will experience the case discussion method as a student, reflect on this pedagogical approach’s strengths and weaknesses, and familiarize yourself with some of the tools available to implement it in your classroom. Come prepared to do the intellectual heavy-lifting, and I’ll tell you a story