Collective case building – an extended approach to case based learning

Abstract

Case based learning (CBL) has not seen many innovations in recent times. This research conceptualises a new extended approach to CBL called ‘collective case building’ where students are involved in co-constructing cases. It then explores whether this approach can improve students’ skills in co-constructing a case (called ‘case augmentation abilities’) and students’ discipline specific knowledge; in this case knowledge in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). A small scale quantitative study is conducted with 40 undergraduate students on a business course split into 8 groups. Students complete a questionnaire, and existing data on their module marks are collated. The study measures their ‘collectiveness’ via collective efficacy and team work. Satisfaction with the collective case building approach is also assessed along with students CSR knowledge eand case augmentation abilities. The small scale study means that the findings may be treated with caution. Nevertheless the results reveal high satisfaction with the collective case building approach, and that some variables in the regression analysis are significant in predicting students’ case augmentation abilities and discipline specific (CSR) knowledge. The initial findings from this small scale study suggest that those using case based learning should consider involving students in the co-construction of cases. Collective case building is a promising extended approach to case based learning grounded in theory and is among one of the first studies to involve students in the co-construction of a case.