Case-Based teaching incorporates real world situations while giving learners the opportunity to wrestle with potential solutions. Cases can involve real or fabricated stories that detail events, dilemmas, and/or concepts that require analysis and/or decision making. There are different types of cases that can be used depending on what type of skill or learning outcome is desired (e.g. understanding facts and principles, problem-solving skills, analytic skills etc.). Learners work collaboratively in teams and are guided through the process by the instructor who engages them through prompts and focused questions.
This 4-minute video describes the Case-based teaching method as applied at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health.
The Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning has developed extensive resources for those interested in adopting the Case-based teaching method including directions on how to get started and strategies to engage students.
For available case studies, consider these resources:
Case Consortium at Columbia University
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Open Case Studies
Other Resources:
Harvard Kennedy School - Teaching With Cases Tip Sheet
Vanderbilt University - Center for Teaching - Case Studies