Set ground rules with your students For effective class discussion suggest the following to your students:
Carefully listen to the discussion, but do not wait too long to participate.
Collaboration and respect should always be present.
Provide value-added comments, suggestions, or questions. Strive to think of the class objective by keeping the discussion going toward constructive inquiry and solutions.
Try to refrain from being the “sage on the stage” or a monopolizer. If you are, students are merely absorbing and not engaging with the material in the way that the case method allows.
Make sure the students have finished presenting their perspective before interjecting. Wait and check their body language before adding or changing the discussion.
Take note of the progress and the content in the discussion. One way is by using the board or computer to structure the comments. Another way, particularly useful where there is a conflict or multiple alternatives, is the two-column method. In this method, the teacher makes two columns: “For and Against” or “Alternative A and Alternative B.” All arguments/comments are listed in the respective column before discussions or evaluations occur. Don't forget to note supportive evidence.
In addition to the discussion method, you can also try debates, role-plays, and simulations as ways to uncover the lesson from the case.
If you decide to grade participation, make sure that your grading system is an accurate and defensible portrayal of the contributions.
In conclusion, cases are a valuable way for learning to occur. It takes a fair amount of preparation by both the teacher and the students, but don't forget these benefits (Bruner, 2002):
The teacher is learning as well as the students. Because of the interactive nature of this method, the teacher constantly “encounters fresh perspective on old problems or tests classic solutions to new problems.”
The students are having fun, are motivated and engaged. If done well, the students are working collaboratively to support each other.
