Page 28 - General Cases 1

Short cases, if organized in a logical and progressive way,

can provide a platform for addressing the strictures
identified in Diagram 6. The rationale for this lies in the view

that chunking cases doesn’t only work for typical linear

instruction, it also works for learning objects, for non-linear

approaches to learning as well as discovery learning. In
addition, short cases have the facility to group together

conceptually related information thereby making it

meaningful and easier to understand.

When you have a solid module-lesson-topic structure,

organize the cases so each consists of one chunk of related
information. However, this requires being crystal clear on

the participants’ learning objectives from start and

thereafter with each case.

Moreover, short cases may also allow more focused
feedback to be achieved. Where traditional cases are geared

to engendering feedback ranges, from unstructured

comments to worked examples short cases, with more

directed focus allow more precision feedback. Furthermore,
if providers of online case studies are serious about online

learning, they need to get serious about feedback. As

Diagram 5 shows some attempt should be made to provide

online Quick Thoughts and a Teaching Guide that students
may access when and where they want it.