Using Case Studies

Using Case Studies

Using Case Studies in Problem-Based Learning and Competency-Based Education

Case studies are powerful tools for problem-based learning (PBL) that connect classroom theory to real-world applications.

What Makes a Good Case Study?

Effective case studies present authentic scenarios that students might encounter in their future careers or daily lives. They should be complex enough to require critical thinking but accessible given your students' current knowledge level. The best cases have no single "correct" answer, encouraging students to analyze trade-offs and defend their reasoning.

Implementing Case Studies in Your Course

Start by introducing the case early in a unit, allowing students time to wrestle with the problem before they have all the necessary knowledge. This creates productive struggle and helps students see why the upcoming content matters. Provide the case in stages if it's complex, revealing new information as students progress through their analysis.

Structure your class time to support collaborative problem-solving. Small groups of three to four students work well, giving everyone a voice while maintaining accountability. Circulate among groups, asking probing questions rather than providing answers. Questions like "What evidence supports that conclusion?" or "What might be the unintended consequences?" push deeper thinking.

Assessment Strategies

Evaluate both the process and the product. Consider assessing students' ability to identify key problems, gather relevant information, generate alternatives, and justify their recommendations. Group presentations, written analyses, or reflective journals can all capture different aspects of learning. Peer evaluation can also reinforce collaborative skills.

Making It Work with Limited Resources

You don't need expensive published case studies. Local news stories, workplace scenarios from your own experience, or problems submitted by community partners can be equally effective and more relevant to your students. Keep cases relatively short. One to three pages often suffices.

The key to success is choosing cases that matter to your students and providing enough structure to keep them productive without removing the challenge that makes PBL valuable.

Following are a few websites offering diverse case studies across multiple disciplines:

  • MERLOT (merlot.org) - Searchable database of peer-reviewed case studies across disciplines
  • OER Commons (oercommons.org) - Free case studies filtered by subject area and education level

Many of these sites allow filtering by discipline, complexity level, and teaching objectives to find cases appropriate for your courses and students.