Case Studies to encourage student motivation
Using case studies in a veterinary technology class is a very appealing idea. Does anyone have more specifics on how much information is given to the students and at what rate? Has this worked best for intro level classes or those further along in the program?
Case studies work well at every level.
It gives students a chance to immediately demonstrate and use knowledge it also teaches them to think their way through real world problems.
I use case studies and real world examples to encourage student participation and to think through problems and how they would have handled similar situations.
Hi Ann,
I love case studies. It seems that any class can benefit from case studies. In health care management courses, there are plenty of real case studies plastered in the newspaper every week. I like to use cases that make the headlines or that have some sort of intrigue.
Courses with titles such as "case studies" of xyz, also seem to be those that are valued most by career college learners. I think it is the application and integration pieces that are so motiviating.
Hi Ann,
Case studies work on all levels. For the beginning students the case study is very simple. Say a client walks in with a sick kitty. "What are the first five things you would do in greeting the client and patient?" Very simple but lays the groundwork for all kinds of discussion.
The more advanced case studies would deal with diagnostic situations in relation to vet tech responsibilities.
The beginning case studies should be around a page or page and half of text. They can also be delivered online or through PowerPoint.
The advanced case studies can run as long as three pages (more details) in text and also be delivered online or through PP.
I have case studies that cover our just completed topic so the students get to practice their newly acquired knowledge and skills through the case studies. Some I have them do by themselves other through learning groups. We discuss the case studies as a full class. If I use learning groups that groups responds to part of the study, the another group adds other information until we have worked through the entire case study.
Hope this gives you some ideas about how to develop case studies. If you have additional questions send me an email and I will be glad to talk with you further. Your area lends itself well to using case studies.
Gary
