Learn at a Distance

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. – Albert Einstein

Case Studies – the presentation of realistic and complex narratives often involving a dilemma, conflict, or problem that one or more of the characters in the case must negotiate.

An effective case study is one that, according to Davis (1993):

• tells a “real” and engaging story
• raises a thought-provoking issue
• has elements of conflict
• promotes empathy with the central characters
• lacks an obvious or clear-cut right answer
• encourages students to think and take a position
• portrays actors in moments of decision
• provides plenty of data about character, location, context, actions
• is relatively concise

Case studies provide students with opportunities to practice

• Problem identification/ definition
• Articulating/ clarifying a position
• Making choices between courses of action
• Arguing different points of view

An excellent resource The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science.

Further Reading

Christensen, C. R. (1981) Teaching by the case method. Boston: Harvard Business School.

Davis, B. G. (1993) Tools for teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Dunne, D. and Brooks, K. (2004) Teaching with Cases. Halifax, NS: Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.