Developing a Teaching Case

東海大學 周瑛琪

Overview

What is a case/ case method teaching?

What exactly is a case supposed to teach?

Where do cases come from?

Writing the case

Details & follow-up work

There is general business knowledge

Application depends on situation specifics

Instructor knows well enough to pick illustrations that are “generalizable”

“To see the world in a grain of sand ”you have to know what the world looks like

What is a Case ?

Knowledge: theories, principles frameworks

Skills: how to apply the above in particular situations

Attitudes: The situation can be improved. I can make a difference

Identification with the protagonist

Case Method Teaching & Learning

Induction: Observations are sorted and key idea(s) abstracted

Hypothesis/Problem stated

Deduction: Framework developed, Issues Raised, Analysis performed

Iteration

Deductive and Inductive Thinking

State the Problem

Develop a Framework

Draw Conclusions

Surface Issues

Perform Analysis

Abstract

Sort

Observe

INDUCTION

DEDUCTION

The Problem-Solving Process

Picking up clues in the field about “the problem”

Applying multiple frameworks to drive your quest for more data

Analyzing that data to determine: what is the problem, what new hypotheses/frameworks needed, what new data needed

Critical Skills

What issues will the case focus upon-the ”first paragraph?”

What analysis is required to address those issues?

What data is required to perform that analysis?

Where will you get that data?

Key Questions

Company Field Case Individual Field Case General Experience Published Information-“Library Case” PLUS-Notes and Teaching Notes Think about purpose-knowledge transfer,

skill building, attitude

Writing the Case

Writing-Case Draft Preparation(1/2) Determine as quickly as possible the

specific situation with which the protagonist will be wrestling.

Write the first paragraph. Prepare an outline. Do a time line. Write.

Writing-Case Draft Preparation(2/2) Maintain the authority of the casewriter’s

voice. Use quotes liberally Write the teaching note at the same time as

you are writing the case Think hard about the structure of the case. Carefully craft the exhibits. Avoid jargon and technical terms. Write in the past tense.

Follow-up Work and Company Review Agreeing on the Information that Will

Appear in the Case Disguise

◦ Identity of the company◦ Industry/product identity◦ Financial data

Twenty-Five Questions To Ask As You Begin To Develop A New Case Study(1/4)

1.Where will this case fit within the existing course syllabus? What cases will precede and follow it? And what learning objectives should it illuminate?

2.Who will the audience be?3.How “fresh” is the case topic?4.What type of case will you write?5.In what style should you write a case?6.What types of ancillary materials will you

develop?

Twenty-Five Questions To Ask As You Begin To Develop A New Case Study(2/4)

7.What makes a good case decision focus?8.What/how much data should you include?9.Does the case include controversy?10.Does the case include controversy?11.Does the case have a protagonist?12.Are opinions, evaluations, interpretations,

theories, etc. expressed in quotations?13.Do exhibits contain useful information in a clear,

fashion?

Twenty-Five Questions To Ask As You Begin To Develop A New Case Study(3/4)

14.What are the standard components of a case study?

15.How long should a case be?16.Should you revise a case after it has been

taught?17.What are the most common pitfalls of case

development?18.What are common causes of casewriter’s

writing?19.Some mundane tips:

Twenty-Five Questions To Ask As You Begin To Develop A New Case Study(4/4)

20.What do you want to include in the opening?21.What do you want to include in the

industry/company/individual background section?

22.What purpose should case headings serve?23.How should you use exhibits?24.What about videotapes?25.What should be included in a case teaching

note?

Hints for Casewriting(1/2)

Case design Finding the case site Contacting the company The initial visit Outlining the case Interviewing Writing the case

Hints for Casewriting(2/2)

Editing the case Managing the relationship with the host

company Managing resources Preparation of the teaching note Review and improvement Evaluation

Writing Cases: Tips and Pointers

Preparation 1week Interviewing 2-4weeks Draft 2weeks Quote approval 2weeks Case review and sign-off 2-4weeks

(1) Company background

(2) The one(s) faced with the problem, the decision

maker(s).

(3) Those aspects of the problem situation the

decision maker can control: the controllable

variables.

(4) Those aspects of the problem situation the decision

maker can not control but those which, together with

the controlled variables, can affect the outcome of his

choice the uncontrolled variables.

(5) Constraints imposed from within or without on the

possible values of the controlled and uncontrolled

variables.

(6) The possible outcomes produced jointly by the decision

maker’s choice and the uncontrolled variables.

每一組 15分鐘 12分鐘時→第 1 聲鈴響提醒，15分鐘時→第 2 聲鈴響，同學需結束報告

評審評分方式分為 4 大項 →個案內容描述佔 30分 →方案可行性佔 30分 →資源規劃需求評估佔 30分 →簡報呈現與答詢佔 10分