Several empirical studies are discussed which indicate that adapting the level of support, the difficulty of the learning task, or support as well as difficulty has beneficial effects on learning and transfer test performance. Three conclusions can be drawn from the presented studies. First, both the level of available support and the difficulty…

Case study teaching has gained a strong foothold in science education. The author discusses: (1) variations on methodology, from whole class discussion to the jigsaw approach; (2) an increase in educational resources on the topic; (3) over a thousand studies that show improved learning when case studies are used; and (4) a survey that illustrates…

A study investigated what organizational communication students learned from case simulations and role playing. Seniors and graduate students enrolled in two different 400-level courses taught in the Department of Speech Communication at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale engaged in different detailed case simulations that required them to…

Casebooks are becoming an increasingly popular format within education for structuring conversations around challenging issues. Although most education cases provide simple snapshots of classroom interactions, the cases provided in this text focus on some of the challenges faced by educators and communities intent upon reforming entire schools and…

Using a developmental, hands-on approach, this text/workbook helps students master the basic English skills that are essential to write effective business correspondence, to recognize language errors, and to develop decision-making and problem-solving skills. Its step-by-step focus and industry-specific format encourages students to review,…

Preservice teacher preparation programs seek to provide experiences that support this process primarily through clinical and field components. More professional courses include field-based experiences. In addition, interest in and use of cases has been introduced as part of preservice programs to help prospective teachers focus on the dilemmas of…

Discusses the uses of case methods in teacher education as a way to develop flexibility in teacher decision-making. Defines and describes the use of teaching cases, and expands the concept of a case by introducing the notion of a literature case, defined as a novel with school-based setting and characters. (SG)

Presents two case studies that challenge business communication and technical writing students to respond to problems that reflect a multicultural dimension and involve business people whose perspectives, values, and traditions are not Western. Includes discussion questions. (SR)

Describes the development of a graduate business communication course that emphasized technology and intercultural communication without ignoring fundamental skills. Explains course objectives and design. Describes the conduct of the course itself. (SR)

The reflective inquiry approach to teacher preparation is based on analysis of teaching "cases" and is particularly relevant for teachers in Alaska's rural multicultural schools. Students learn to ask ethical as well as pedagogical questions and to reflect upon larger issues imbedded in the details of school life. (Author/SV)

Analyzed case dilemmas written by elementary student teachers for the nature of dilemmas and solutions. The most frequent types of dilemmas they posed concerned disruptive individual students, whole-group management, and difficulty encountered while implementing cooperative learning. The most common solutions involved using a behavioral strategy.…

Analyzes cases published in the March 1998 special issue of this journal and contrasts them with results of a survey of 25 employees regarding the kinds of writing that are important to successful performance at work. Finds the cases involve exceptional rhetorical situations when in reality the rhetorical situations business writers usually face…

Details how an American-based behavioral simulation (a form of case study) was adapted for an organizational and management communication course in Hong Kong. Describes how the authors accommodated students' language environment and proficiency, their culturally derived behaviors, and their understanding of the context of American business, making…

Describes a teaching strategy used in undergraduate reading/language arts methods classes that combines methods from case-based instruction and reader response to literature by using literature case studies--novels that contain school-based events and characters. Offers entries from undergraduate education students' literature logs to describe the…

Presents a case study for use in business communication classes to help students understand and learn both the context and the strategies for communication with business and management. Deals with a Los Angeles firm's attempt to expeditiously negotiate entrance of business into China, and discusses miscommunications on both sides. Includes five…