Instructional Strategy

By: Florence Tima, RNDerek Lawson, RNKristen Taggart, RN

John Rigor, RN

Wilmington University

It is an intensive study of a single group, incident, or community.

It is a teaching strategy, which requires learners to draw upon their past experiences.

It is also participatory and has action components, which are links to future experience.

A case report should include facts regarding the problem, the environmental context, and the characters of the people involved in the case.

CASE STUDY

EDUCATIONAL THEORY

Ground Theory• It is a systematic qualitative research methodology• It operates almost in a reverse fashion from

traditional research• Rather than beginning by researching and

developing a hypothesis, the first step is data collection

• The method of study is essentially based on three elements: concepts, categories and propositions, or what was originally called “hypothesis”

USAGE OFCASE STUDIES

Has been used extensively in the classroom setting in the curricula of law schools. Students learning the profession must study the cases of the past and use them as examples of judicial reasoning. Socratic interrogation is a common method of instruction.

USAGE OFCASE STUDIES

Medicine, like Law, also uses case studies to train doctors. For example, some medical schools use a problem-based learning curriculum where small groups of students and faculty tutors work through one case after another as they learn about medicine. Group discussion is the instructional method that affects both the cognitive and affective domain.

USAGE OFCASE STUDIES

Case studies have become so popular in business schools that the model is now known as the “Case Method” which was started at Harvard Business school. In the classroom setting, students are expected to prepare for class discussion by analyzing pertinent background material that led to the decision in the case. The class would then discuss the case in an organized way with the teacher acting as the facilitator.

Case Study Teaching:The Lecture Method

This instructional strategy was introduced in the 1940’s at Harvard by James Conant, a chemist. He lectured scientific discoveries. In this situation, the student is not an active “puzzle solver”, but an observer of human nature. The instructor is a story teller. The student is the audience.

Advantages of Case Studies

Promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making

Assists in synthesis of content knowledge Active learner participation Can be completed in group or individual setting

Disadvantage of Case Studies

Content must be factual & relevant to concept Cases must target correct learning level and

needs of learner Requires sufficient time for learner to

compare their results to actual resolution Requires skilled instructor to facilitate

discussion

Methods To Adapt Strategy

Change case study content to fit learner’s needs

Offer option of independent or group setting to complete case study

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Case Studies

Questionnaire (close questions): These ask for specific answers.

Questionnaire (open-ended questions): These allow students to fully explain their views and justify their answers.

Interviews & Discussion: Use of a member of staff who is not directly involved in the case study.

Independent Evaluator: An independent assessor who meets with the students such as a research

assistant

CONCLUSIONUse of Case Studies Develop Key Skills:

Group work – team case study can add to the learning experience

Individual Study Skills – good vehicle for encouraging learners independent research outside lecture/tutorial environment

Information gathering and analysis – encourage learners to utilize a number of different sources, i.e. Internet, library, lab results and contacting experts in industries

Time management skills – require learners to consider how best to carry out the work to be completed to

the set deadline and ensures progress is made during case study

Presentation skills – requires learners to present their work in a variety of formats, including oral, articles, posters and report presentations

Practical skills – involves learners practical work on the components being studied and feedback shows that learners enjoy the hands-on approach

Use of Case Studies Develop Key Skills:

Armisted, C. (1984). How Useful are Case Studies. Training and Development Journal, 38 (2), 75-77.

Bastable, S., & Sulivan, K., Ekle, E., and Sibley, A. (Eds.). (2008). Nurse as educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Boeher, J. (1990). Teaching with cases: Learning to question. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 42, 41-57.

Herreid, C., (1997, November). What is a case? Journal of College Science Teaching. Retrieved on May 31, 2009 from http://ubib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/teaching/whatis.html

Kreber, C. (2001). Learning Experientially through Case Studies? A Conceptual Analysis Teaching in Higher Education, 6:2, 217-228.

References