Supporting Case-based Instruction in Higher Education through Technology: What Works?

This paper reports findings from a two-year research project in the United States focusing on case-based instruction in higher education. The instruction incorporates the use of interactive, multimedia cases and online discussions and chats to support learning with the materials. The multimedia cases were designed as practice field cases to provide constructivist learning environments for teachers preparing to teach students with behavioral disorders. Research data were collected from 251 students in 20 different courses across four universities. Major findings support: (1) significant learning outcomes for all learners regardless of rank in school, teaching experience and discipline area; (2) case usage as anchors for related activities failed to produce equivalent levels of learning compared to other types of implementation; and (3) learning was significantly enhanced when instructors implemented forms of online discussion compared to face-to-face discussion only. Recommendations and limitations will be discussed.