Assessing Case Learning: Variations on the Large Group Discussion

College Case ConferenceMay 22, 2015Chandra Hodgson, Humber College

The Dialogue Case MethodThe professor asks students to write a dialogue

between two well-versed people on a controversial topic. The individuals in their story (say Sally and Sam) hold opposite views on a question such as global warming. Sally and Sam have at least twenty exchanges, twenty from Sally and twenty from Sam. The exchanges should be substantive and intelligent. The students must reference any claims that their protagonists make. Finally, at the end of the dialogue, the students should declare their own position on the topic and their reasons for it.

(from Herreid, C.F. “Case Study Teaching” (2011))

Case Reports

The case is made available to students with a student assignment question for them to process. An assignment outlining explicitly what is expected in the case report is generally required for students to succeed. This can still involve the small group process as a step on the way to preparing their individual reports. Reports can also be prepared in groups, though be sure to use best practices in collaborative writing to avoid the usual pitfalls of group writing assignments.

Case Reports, cont’d.

Typically include the following sections:1. Identification of the problem2. Analysis of the data3. Identification of alternatives4. Identification of criteria5. Assessment of alternatives using the

criteria6. Selection of best alternative

(recommendation)7. Implementation plan with timelines and

milestones (optional)

Self-Reflection Assignments

Assign a reflection piece to the class either in place of or after a large group discussion. This is best managed online through the discussion or blog tool in an LMS such as Blackboard.

Note: Can be combined with any other method as additional assessment.

Moving the Discussion Online: Discussion Threads

Instructors assign the case as usual. They post discussion questions to an LMS such as Blackboard. There should ideally be a few discussion threads, for example, one about identifying the problem, one about alternatives, one about criteria, as well as one about what, ultimately, they would do in the shoes of the protagonist.

These questions can be revealed one at a time, throughout the course of a week or more.