Pedagogical designs for e-learning
Case-based teaching and learning
A case is a story based on "real world" or actual events told with a definite educational purpose in mind. A case is a way of bringing the real world into a classroom so that students can "practice" on actual or realistic issues and incidences under the guidance of the teacher. Case-based teaching, unlike conventional topic-based lecturing and tutoring, is discussion-based and experiential in nature. The case replaces the lecture as the vehicle for learning, and the basis for discussion, exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experience among participants (Lynn, 1996; Rangan, 1995). The case study method has been popularized by the Harvard Business School and Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Running effective case-studies
The art of running an effective case-study method is the selection of teaching cases so that learners are able to get from these case studies, understanding of issues and constructs that can be applied in other novel situations. Cases are obviously third-person experience. The transfer of such third-person experience into learners' own first-person experience is carried out by discussion and debate. During the discussion and debate, as in role-play simulation, the learners are not protected by the anonymity usually available in role-play simulation or goal-based learning. In case-based learning, learners directly confront their peers about their position or articulation of the situation in a suitable friendly supportive atmosphere. The case study method can provide a very stimulating environment to learners.