EXPERIMENTAL ONLINE CASE STUDY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH IN STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: DESCRIPTION AND RESULTS

Authors

  • James Theroux
  • Clare Kilbane

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v8i4.1810

Keywords:

Case Studies, Real-Time Case, Live Cases, Learning Outcomes

Abstract

A new type of case study, called the real-time case (RTC), was produced in the fall of 2001 and distributed via the Internet to business classes at four universities in the U.S. and Canada. The real-time case presented the story of one company's growth and development throughout a 14-week semester. A case writer stationed full-time at the subject company published case installments weekly on the Web, allowing students to view the company-building process as it happened. The 14-week coverage of RTC enabled students to study the subject company in unprecedented depth and detail. RTC's real-time interactivity allowed students to share their analyses and best thinking with the company leadership during the company’s decision-making process.
A major objective in producing the case was to heighten student engagement with the case material. To evaluate whether this objective was achieved, a survey was conducted with the participating classes. Results from the survey showed a high degree of engagement, plus many other benefits from the new type of case study.

References

Learned, E. P. Reflections of a Case Method Teacher. In C. R. Christensen & A. J. Hansen, Eds., Teaching and the Case Method, 9–15. Boston: Harvard Business School, 1987.

Merseth, K. K. The Early History of Case-Based Instruction: Insights for Teacher Education Today. Journal of Teacher Education 42(4): 243–249, 1991.

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Published

2019-03-19

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 4 (2004)

Section

Empirical Studies

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