IRIS Case Study Assignment Tips

Because case study assignments are designed to require higher-level thinking at each of their three levels, students should receive less instructor support as they progress through the unit. In practical terms, this means that students will be exposed to all of the strategies and approaches (i.e., STAR Sheets) at Levels A or B, but that assignments at Level C will require them to take on the additional tasks of analyzing and synthesizing information related to those strategies. Faculty with advanced students, or students who have practical experience, may find it beneficial to begin with Level B and C case studies. Keep in mind that IRIS Case Studies are designed to be flexible. Though created to stand alone, they can also be used in conjunction with other IRIS materials.

While there are many ways to use case studies, a few of the most common include:

• Ask students to write out solutions to case studies or to present solutions to the class. This might be assigned as homework or as an in-class small-group activity.
• Ask students to review STAR Sheets before class. Present the Level A case studies in class. Assign Level B and C case studies as homework.
• Present STAR Sheets in class for discussion and ask students to complete a case study as a written assignment.
• Ask students to interview a teacher and discuss the strategies presented on the STAR Sheets. Do the teachers use the strategies? What have been their experiences?
• Ask students to design an advertising campaign (or a 60-second infomercial) in order to heighten public awareness regarding the strategies presented on the STAR Sheet.

If you have other assignment tips, email us at iris@vanderbilt.edu.