How to Use a Case Study

IRIS Case Study Units provide students with applications to strengthen their understanding of select topics as well as a way to enhance their problem-solving abilities. Designed to accommodate a wide range of student skills, case study sets are divided into three progressive levels:

Level A – Gathering information Level B – Analyzing information Level C – Synthesizing information

Case studies have several elements:

• Background – This contains information about the students in each case study.
  
  
• Scenario – A Scenario is 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, however, no goals are provided, and identifying goals becomes 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 as responses to each scenario.
  
  
• STAR Sheets – Each strategy is accompanied by a STrategy And Resource (STAR) Sheet. These contain a description of the strategy, relevant research findings, an explanation of how the strategy is implemented, and references. It is through STAR Sheets that students locate the information they need to answer the assignment questions.
  
  
• Assignment – An assignment accompanies each case study and is appropriate for the case study level. At Level A, assignments allow students to show that they understand the possible strategies for that case. At Level B, students additionally are asked to analyze the information presented in the STAR Sheets. At the most complex level, Level C, students are also required to compare and defend their application of specific strategies.
  
  
• Instructor's Guide – An answer key for instructors to use in the assessment of student assignments is available on request.