Teaching Partners

Russell Motter teaches AP U.S. History at ‘Iolani School, one of the largest independent schools in the United States. After teaching several cases from the “History of American Democracy” curriculum during the 2016-2017 school year, Russell concluded that the cases would be a “highly effective component to any AP U.S. History curriculum.” Russell found, moreover, that case method teaching offered new opportunities to counteract what he regarded as the shortcomings of textbook-based learning.

In a letter to the Case Method Project, Russell noted that teenage learners have a tendency to favor “neat and tidy” explanations over the complex thinking required for true historical understanding. “This habit,” he added, “is not their fault; they are responding exactly to how textbooks condition them to understand history.” Teaching by the case method, however, helped Russell impress upon his students a different perspective. “I have always preached to students that the text is not a bible, but rather a reference guide,” he wrote, adding that the cases “allow students to practice this practical advice.”

The students’ positive reaction to case method teaching validated Russell’s own impressions. In surveys, students “overwhelmingly agreed” that the cases “produced a deeper understanding of the material.” What’s more, students consistently reported that the cases “made history more interesting.” Russell noted in particular how much the students “enjoy immersing themselves in a specific case that requires the application of general knowledge.” When asked how they would improve their AP History course, many students called for more case studies.

Russell is now heeding his students’ advice, and planning to teach at least two cases each quarter in the upcoming academic year. He has also become an advocate for using the case method more broadly, both at ‘Iolani and beyond. And he has some advice for other high school history teachers: “Make the case studies a regular part of the curriculum. With practice, students will improve their discussion, historical thinking, reading and writing.”