Case Teaching and Learning
Please find below links to a variety resources on Case Method teaching resources and student-focused resources on learning by the Case Method.
Case Method Teaching
Books
Barnes, L.B., Christensen, C.R., and Hansen, A., (1994) Teaching and the Case Method (3rd Ed). Boston MA, Harvard Business School Press.
Note this is a book of cases used in the development of Case Teachers
Bruner, R.F., (2003) Socrates' Muse: Reflections on Effective Case Discussion Leadership. New York NY, McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Christensen, C., Garvin, D., and Sweet, A. (1991). Education for Judgment: The Artistry of Discussion Leadership. Boston MA, Harvard Business School Press.
Articles
Garvin, D. A. "Making the Case." Harvard Magazine, September-October 2003, Volume 106, Number 1. (Order reprint from HBSP)
Garvin, D. A. "Teaching Executives and Teaching MBAs: Reflections on the Case Method." Academy of Management Learning & Education 6, no. 3 (September 2007).
Short Pieces
- Hints for Case Teaching
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Provides hints for successfully teaching with cases. Intended to encourage thought and discussion about case teaching.
B. Shapiro (9-585-012) 5 pages, © 1984, rev. 1985. Order
- Use of Cases in Management Education
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Briefly describes the process of case writing, the general nature of cases, and the advantages to students of learning by the case method. An approach to studying a case, individually or as a group member, for classroom discussion is outlined. Also summarizes the basic characteristics of a case discussion.
Corey (9-376-240) 4 pages, © 1976, rev. 1996. Order
- Choreographing a Case Class
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Compares four different approaches to case teaching: lecturing, theorizing, illustrating, and choreographing a case. Argues the advantages of the "choreography" method from the point of view of students' learning. Concludes with a description of that method and some tips on how to use it.
Rangan (9-595-074) 6 pages, © 1995, rev. 1996. Order
- Reflections on the United Electric Case Discussion
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An MBA classroom discussion revealed the perils of learning in which "theories-in-use" are not challenged and suggests strategies for more reflective learning.
Spear (602-146) 6 pages, © 2002. Order
- Because Wisdom Can't Be Told
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Concerns the effect the case method has on both teachers and students. Points out the growth in maturity of the incoming student, accustomed to the role of receiver in undergraduate school, to the point where he or she becomes an active participant as an adult member of a democratic community. It also suggests the proper role of the instructor as a leader of the group and points out pitfalls to be avoided.
Gragg (9-451-005) 7 pages, © 1940, rev. 1982. Order
Learning by the Case Method
Resources for students
Books
Ellet, W., (2007) The Case Study Handbook: How to Read, Discuss, and Write Persuasively About Cases. Boston MA, Harvard Business Review Press.
Short Pieces
- Learning with Cases
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Gives some tips to maximize all learning; offers the pros and cons of experiential learning (cases) as a method; and gives some guidelines for effective case preparation, discussion, and learning.
Bonoma (589-080) 10 pages, © 1989. Order
- How to Avoid Getting Lost in the Numbers
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Provides some hints and tips to students who encounter difficulty in performing quantitative analyses of case studies. Describes how to approach the numbers and suggests devices they can use to overcome their problems.
Maister (9-682-010) 5 pages, © 1981, rev. 1985. Order
