Case Studies
Table of Contents
Bloom's Level
Use
Setting
Activity
Technology
Related Strategies
Description
Case studies is a problem-based instructional strategy where students focus on a real or invented scenario about an event, problem, issue, or dilemma that requires analysis, a solution, or decision-making. Case studies highlight real-life situations for students to explore, discuss, and connect to their lives and what they are learning. Typically, teachers ask students to respond to an open-ended question or to develop a solution to a problem related to the information in a given case, however, case studies can be implemented in a variety of ways depending on the learning objectives. Students can complete them individually or in groups. They can be presented as a simple scenario or a robust collection of information and data to analyze in a structured format.
When To Use It
As a learning strategy, use case studies when you want students to:
- connect what they are learning to real-world situations
- apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills
- apply content knowledge and skills to analyze and address a real-world situation
- examine an issue from multiple perspectives
- work collaboratively with peers and learn from each other’s ideas
As an instructional strategy, use case studies when you want to:
- present real-world situations to help students develop knowledge and skills individually or through cooperative learning
- help students see the connection between concepts and the real-world
- make content relevant to students
- actively engage students in analysis, critical thinking, inquiry, problem-solving, and decision-making
- stimulate discussion on issues that have multiple perspectives
How To Use It
Advance Prep
- Case studies can be used for a variety of purposes and disciplines. Consider the following questions when you are planning to implement case studies in your classroom:
- How does using a case study support the learning objectives?
- What knowledge and skills do you want students to gain or apply as a result of engaging with the case study.
What time frame are you considering for the activity? - Will students work individually or in collaborative groups?
- What challenges do you foresee with student preparation and participation (background knowledge, skill level, sensitive topics, collaborative learning, student engagement, etc.), and how will you address these challenges?
- Will you use an existing case or create your own for students to examine? *Ensure that the case is relevant to students’ lives and is complex enough to elicit multiple solutions and perspectives.
- How will you deliver the case (storytelling, reading, video, etc.)?
- What structure, sequence of activities, guidelines and expectations will students follow?
- What instructional materials will students use to prepare for and engage in case analysis?
- What criteria will you use to assess students?
- Teachers can implement case studies in a variety of formats and approaches. Choose a format and method that aligns best with your learning objectives and student needs.
- Gather or create materials and develop a detailed plan for the case study, including necessary student preparation leading up to the analysis, integrated discussions, and opportunities for reflection.
- Plan to model how students should engage in case study analysis. Some common tasks include:
- identifying the issue and who is involved or impacted
- identifying the goal of investigating the case
- explaining the context of the issue
- identifying and examining key information and facts to be considered
- identifying possible solutions or decisions to be made
- recommending solutions or decisions
Implementation
- Prepare students with the background knowledge and skills needed to engage in the case study activity.
- Present the case in an engaging format to hook students, such as videos or other multimedia.
- Cases often have these essential elements: description of the issue and its context, characters (those impacted and those who have to make a decision or problem solve), and supporting information.
- Set expectations and review the guidelines for the activity.
- Have students work individually or in groups as they conduct their analysis, unpacking the information presented and applying their knowledge and skills to reach a conclusion.
- Debrief the activity by facilitating a whole class discussion where students summarize the case, share conclusions, make connections, and reflect on the experience.
Pros
- Supports student engagement and ownership of their learning
- Promotes deeper learning through investigation, discussion, and reflection
- Builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Promotes active listening, communication, and collaboration skills
- Fosters empathy and creative thinking
- Offers a flexible teaching method
Cons
- Preparing for and implementing case studies can be time-consuming.
- Students need a clear purpose and structure for analysis to ensure that the learning goals are met and that they stay focused on the topic.
- Students must have sufficient and relevant background knowledge to analyze a case effectively.
Culturally Responsive Application
Because case studies are meant to help students make connections being what they are learning and the real world, teachers have an opportunity to enact culturally responsive teaching by choosing or designing cases that are culturally relevant and relatable to students. As students engage in case analysis through cooperative learning and discussion, teachers can promote inclusive practices by holding all students accountable for participation and ensuring that all students’ voices are heard.
Emerging English Language Support
When complex situations need to be addressed, when context is central to the study, when multiple perspectives need to be recognized, when the design needs to be flexible, when the research needs to be congruent with clinical practice, when there is no strong theory to which to appeal, and when other methodologies could be difficult to conduct.
Students with Disabilities Support
Case studies further illustrate the approaches and to show how it works in practice.
Subjects
1.2 Informational texts, 1.5 Speaking and listening, 2.1 K-8 mathematics, 2.2 High school number & quantity, 2.3 High school algebra, 2.4 High school functions, 2.5 High school geometry, 2.6 High school statistics & probability, 3.1 Earth and space science, 3.2 Life science, 3.3 Physical science, 3.4 Engineering, technology, and application of science, 4.1 Civics, 4.2 Economics, 4.3 Geography, 4.4 History, 5.1 Computing systems, 5.2 Networks & the internet, 5.3 Data & analysis, 5.4 Algorithms & programming, 5.5 Impacts of computing
Why It Works
Case studies is a teaching strategy that place student in the context where the phenomenon analyzed happen (REF84), Case studies help students to make meaning of knowledge in practical settings, give them opportunity to link theory to practice, and help them in developing critical thinking skills (REF85), case study is an active learning method for analyzing, evaluating, conceptualizing, and discussing applications (REF95)