1. Case Method - JMSB Program
Tim Field
Faculty Advisor, MBA Case Competition Program
John Molson School of Business

2. Implementing case teaching into Core Curriculum

3. Case Teaching Objectives
Theory
To acquire the ability to apply management theory to real life situations
Engagement
To get students into the habit of diagnosing problems rather than the habit of being a receiver of facts, theories and concepts s
Exposure
To provide exposure to a variety of firms, industries and managerial situations
Put the student in the roll of the Decision Maker

4. Process

5. Integrating the Case Method at JMSB
Institutionalize
PROGRAM Approach for implementing the case Method
Look at Core courses and map case teaching across the program
Link ‘Learning Goals’ to the case method
Collaborate
Leverage industry relationships – for case development, internal competitions, class guest speakers (linked to cases)
Foster
Faculty Projects
Student Activities – Case competitions, workshops, consulting, community outreach, coaching, etc.
The Case Method leads to building NEW capabilities

6. Teaching the Case Method

7. Utilizing the Case Method
Developing an effective class structure
Leading Class Discussions
Engaging Students
Innovative class teaching
Finding a balance between instructor facilitation and student involvement

8. Leading Class Discussions
Set Expectations
Reading the case is the not the same as analyzing…..
Find a balance between assigned readings and the assigned case
This can be achieved in many forms (i.e. 1/3rd readings and 2/3rd case)
Analysis Framework
Case teaching requires teaching Core material and the Case method simultaneously
Develop methodology that students can use to apply the class theory to the case
Assignments should require the student to demonstrate an understanding of material and the methodology
Class Discussions
Establish a process for enlisting class participation
Cold calling….
Assign case questions in advance to provide a context for the discussion
Use the ‘Participation grade’ as a key component for student evaluation
Student preparation is key to case method teaching success

9. Engaging Students
Managing the ‘Lecture’
Managing a case class should be like leading a symphony…..
Establish a learning goal for each class that ties the case to the core material
Break-up class time….. 1) instructor time, 2) class discussion time, 3) in-class work time
Set a timetable for each section of the discussion/analysis (then move on)….. Lead the student discussion do not become a follower……
Lead with broad questions….. Then narrow into specific issues (funnel approach)
Close the Loop -- conclude with a ‘Result’ – recommendation, outcome…. Essential to the learning process
Make student involvement welcoming – encourage mistakes (key for getting a high level of participation)
Consider Assigning group tasks – i.e. fill out the model we are working on…..
Have groups share findings – results can be ed to the instructor
Assign a participation grade for each session of the class use a participation criteria and scoring (3=high, 2=Mid, 1-Low)
Student involvement
Focus on time management and encouraging participation

10. Innovative Case Teaching
Traditional Approach – break the class into 50%/50% -- lecture and case discussion
Blend the approaches by Hitting ‘Pause’ - transition between the case discussion and lecture (assigned readings) – you can go back and forth (% of lecture can change with case complexity)
Student ownership – students can lead discussions – groups can be assigned to cover a weekly topic (questions from the case) – as part of the lecture, part of the case, or finding external research to supplement the case discussion
Flip the Classroom – expect students to cover material outside of class time - Technology can be leveraged to cover core concepts (i.e. videos or articles to cover core topics – message board to answer questions etc.) – focus becomes application vs instruction – the lecture is removed……
Go Adhoc – Use break out groups for case debates, assign tasks to various groups, negotiations, mini-presentations
Go Live – Use a guest speaker or develop short 1-2 page cases from the recent news to work in real-time – students can build the case from web-searching – end of with presentations
Dynamic Class structures
Learning within the case method is ‘Application’ focused – this is in contrast to the traditional lecture method – this creates challenges and opportunities……..
The Case Method provides a great opportunity for creativity

11. Process Map

12. Case Teaching Process Map
Select effective cases for teaching
Link cases to teaching Materials and learning Goals
Establish a Case analysis Methodology
Time Management (Lead do not follow)
Formalize ‘Participation grades’
Make the class interactive
Use group in-class assignments
Consider Student class-leadership opportunities
Case based assignments 1 6 7 2 5 8 3 4 9
Integration of the case method

13. Thank you!