Accession Number : ADA472171

Title :   Case Method Instruction: 25 Minutes of Discussion Can Make a Difference

Descriptive Note : Interim rept. Mar 2006-Dec 2007

Corporate Author : UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MARINA DEL REY CA INST FOR CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Personal Author(s) : Zbylut, Michelle L. ; Brunner, Jason M. ; Vowels, Christopher L. ; Kim, Julia M.

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Report Date : JUL 2007

Pagination or Media Count : 32

Abstract : Case method instruction has been universally endorsed as an effective teaching approach, yet little empirical research provides evidence of this claim. This report describes research that investigated the importance of the discussion component of case method instruction to learning. In addition to collecting data from 182 United States Military Academy cadets, this investigation extends past research on case method instruction by incorporating the perspectives of instructors. Findings indicated that students produced better quality answers and were better able to diagnose leadership problems in the scenario after participating in discussion, even though the time allotted for discussion was relatively short. Self-reports of instructors provided corroborating evidence that the instructional approach was useful for accomplishing learning objectives and that class discussion quality was high. Additional results point to the importance of having an instructor's manual available for discussing case studies. Results also suggest that the particular case study used, "Power Hungry," generalizes from an audience of junior officers and NCOs to a cadet audience.

Descriptors :   *GROUP DYNAMICS, *PERFORMANCE(HUMAN), *CASE STUDIES, *LEADERSHIP TRAINING, *CADETS, *LEARNING, *TEACHING METHODS, INFORMATION EXCHANGE, UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, VERBAL BEHAVIOR, REACTION(PSYCHOLOGY), STUDENTS, INSTRUCTORS, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS, QUESTIONNAIRES, ARMY PERSONNEL

Subject Categories : HUMANITIES AND HISTORY
      PSYCHOLOGY
      MILITARY FORCES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Distribution Statement : APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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