How do Faculty use the case studies?

Case Study Units provide faculty with realistic teaching scenarios for students to use, and they are designed to strengthen a student's understanding of the topic, as well as enhance their problem-solving skills while exploring new content.

The case study units are divided into three levels to allow students to progress from:

Level A - information gathering, to Level B - analyzing the information, and eventually to Level C - synthesizing the information.

Each Case Study Set contains a series of STAR Sheets. The STAR sheets describe strategies used to complete the assignments for the Level A, B, and C case studies.

Elements of each case study

• Background - student information
• Scenario - A description of a hypothetical situation that requires a teacher's response. In Levels A and B, goals for the target child are provided. At Level C, no goals are provided, identifying goals is part of the assignment. In addition, at Level C, Areas of Strength for the target child are provided to assist in the development of goals.
• Possible Strategies - Multiple strategies are suggested to respond to each scenario. For each strategy, a STrategy And Resource (STAR) sheet is included. The same STAR sheets may be used for each level. STAR sheets contain a description of the strategy, an explanation of how it is implemented, what research says about the strategy, information resources and references, and descriptions of any research-based programs available. This is where respondents will get the information they need to understand and answer the assignment questions.
• Assignment - At Levels A, assignments allow students to show that they understand the Possible Strategies for that case. In addition, at Level B, students also need to be able to analyze the information presented in the STAR sheets. At the most complex level, C, students are also required to compare and defend their application of specific strategies.
• Faculty Guide - An answer key for faculty to use in the assessment of student assignments, is provided at the end of the Case Study Unit.

The case study assignments have been created to require higher-level thinking at each subsequent level, with students receiving less support as they progress through the unit. Typically, students should be exposed to all of the strategies or approaches (i.e., STAR Sheets) at Level A. They will use the same strategies at Levels B & C, but the assignments at these levels require students to analyze and synthesize information about the strategies. However, for faculty with advanced students, or students with practical experience, it may be more appropriate to begin with level B and C case studies. The individual case studies have been designed to stand alone. Though the case studies build upon one another, they offer the flexibility to select a case study from a higher level without doing the prior level. Case study units can be used in a variety of ways. The following few examples show how a case study unit might be implemented.

• Ask students to write out solutions to case studies or present solutions to the class. May be assigned as homework or as an in-class small group activity.
• Have students review STAR Sheets prior to class. Present the Case Studies from Level A in class, break into small groups and have each group complete the case study assignment and present to the whole class. Level B and C case studies could be completed individually or in the same format as level A.
• Present STAR Sheets in class for discussion and have students complete a case study for written assignment.
• Use Level A case studies as self-study tools with level B and/or C used as a project or presentation.
• Have students interview a teacher and discuss the strategies presented on the STAR sheets. Do the teachers use the strategies? What have been their experiences?
• Have students design an advertising campaign (or a 60 second infomercial) to heighten public awareness regarding the strategies presented on the STAR sheet.
• Locate an article that discusses the information presented on the STAR sheet. Use the internet to find on-line journal publications or visit your university/college library.

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