Case Methods for Online Learning
Case analysis is a popular teaching strategy in higher education, particularly in professional degree programs such as business, social work, education, medicine, law, and policy studies. This strategy allows students to apply ideas, theories, and concepts to realistic problem-solving situations. In a virtual classroom, the world is just a click away. Because the online learning environment and the online world of professional life overlap, instructors have new opportunities to engage students. This tutorial will examine how guiding students through the analysis of case studies can enhance online learning.
A case study is a well-researched story with characters and drama. A particular dilemma is embedded within the story, and the case is designed for students to extricate the dilemma and resolve it in a way that demonstrates achievement of learning objectives. A case study provides a snapshot of an organization at a specific moment in time. Cases are prepared using in-depth research and interviews with key players. The best studies integrate quantitative and qualitative information with diverse perspectives about circumstances of the case. Case studies representing many disciplines are now available online on a free or fee-per-download basis.
Today, professionals increasingly must collaborate to solve problems. Cross-disciplinary teams are a regular feature of organizational life. Being an expert in one area is not enough; one must have broad understanding of complex issues and trends, and the internal or external implications for the organization. It is one thing to teach skills related to development of field-specific professional expertise, but much more difficult to teach the judgment, balance of perspectives, teamwork, and communication needed to be successful in today's fast-paced work environment.
Experiential learning encourages students to bridge theory and practice—to apply principles and theories in practical ways. Case analysis provides one kind of experiential opportunity. Unlike field placements or internships, case analysis allows for safe experimentation and reflection without concern for the impact on real organizations or clients. It promotes a systems approach and a cross-disciplinary view of issues. Perhaps more importantly, case analysis offers students a chance to see that there are no easy answers and that often there is not one right answer.
Case analysis can be assigned to individual students, teams, or a class to promote student-to-student exchange and peer learning. When case analysis is used in the online setting students also develop skills with electronic technologies. These skills are valuable to students preparing to practice in nearly any field.
In his book, Management Challenges For the 21st Century, Peter Drucker observes: "Information Technology has focused on the 'T' in 'IT.'" The "T" focus has meant attention to advancements in hardware and software, and with collection, storage and transmission of data. "The new information revolutions will focus on the 'I.'" They ask, "What is the meaning of information and its purpose?" In posing this question, Drucker echoes thoughts of Charles Gragg: "…no amount of information, whether theory or fact, itself improves insight and judgment or increases ability to act wisely under conditions of responsibility" ("Because Wisdom Can't Be Told," Harvard Alumni Bulletin, 1940). Gragg argued for the advantages of a democratic, interactive teaching approach using case analysis to foster development of insight and judgment. Today we can follow his advice and use case studies in the interactive environment we call the Internet. With this approach, tomorrow's leaders will have the advantage of having learned in the same environment in which they will work.
How Can Case Study Analysis Enhance Online Learning?
In the context of online instruction, case analysis can be used to achieve the following goals:
Develop online research skills. A case study tells a story that takes place within a given time frame. Students can broaden their understanding of the context for the case by researching historical antecedents or more current developments.
Develop student competencies for working in virtual teams. Team assignments require agreements between distant students on norms for frequency, quality, and means for communication. Issues like fair division of workload, congruence of work styles, and expectations for a project must be resolved in order to complete the assignment. Experience in these online negotiations and problem solving will contribute to students' virtual work skills.
Introduce students to new technologies. Case-related assignments can be designed to introduce students to communication means not otherwise used in the class.
Build online learning community. Discussion of recommendations, debates about different conclusions, and role-playing of possible outcomes can enliven classroom interaction. By using a variety of interactive techniques throughout, the case analysis process can create a lively and dynamic class community.
Let's look at the steps of case analysis, and explore examples of online teaching strategies for each stage. For the purpose of this article, they will be presented as a sequential series of learning activities. Naturally an instructor would pick, choose and adapt learning activities to meet course goals within parameters of time and class size.
What Are the Steps of a Case Analysis?
Case analysis typically progresses through a series of key questions. The results are analyzed to solve the problem encoded in the case. Key steps include:
- Define the problem
- Plan the inquiry
- Conduct the inquiry
- Identify and evaluate alternative solutions
- Offer the best recommendation
- Present conclusions
Any or all of these steps can correspond to online learning activities. The following section includes suggestions for student, team, or class assignments.
