How do you facilitate effective case discussions in a large or diverse class?

1 Set clear expectations

Before you start a case discussion, you need to communicate your expectations to your students. Explain the purpose and benefits of using cases, the roles and responsibilities of the instructor and the students, and the assessment criteria and feedback methods. You can also provide some guidelines on how to prepare, analyze, and present cases, as well as how to contribute to the discussion in a constructive and respectful way. Setting clear expectations will help your students understand what is expected of them and how they will be evaluated.

2 Use different formats

Depending on the size and diversity of your class, you may need to use different formats to facilitate case discussions. For example, you can use a whole-class discussion, where you pose questions to the entire group and invite responses from different students. You can also use small-group discussions, where you divide the class into teams and assign them different tasks or roles related to the case. You can then ask each group to report back to the whole class or to other groups. Another option is to use online discussions, where you use a platform or tool to create forums or chats for students to share their ideas and comments asynchronously or synchronously.

3 Encourage participation

Facilitating case discussions in a large or diverse class can be challenging, but you can create a safe and inclusive environment by using a variety of strategies. Ask different types of questions to stimulate different levels of thinking and use a random or systematic method to call on students. Provide positive reinforcement and feedback to acknowledge their contributions and use active listening and probing skills to get more information from them. Additionally, use scaffolding and differentiation techniques to support students with different abilities, backgrounds, or learning styles. By doing so, you can ensure that all students feel comfortable and valued.

4 Manage conflicts

When facilitating case discussions in a large or diverse class, it is important to manage any conflicts that may arise from different opinions, perspectives, or values. To do this, you should establish ground rules for the discussion which focus on respectful and constructive dialogue. Modeling this behavior and intervening when necessary to prevent or resolve conflicts is also important. Lastly, debriefing after the discussion to reflect on the process and outcomes can help students share their feelings, insights, or questions.

5 Evaluate outcomes

Finally, you need to evaluate the outcomes of your case discussions in a large or diverse class. To measure the impact of your case discussions on your students' learning, engagement, and satisfaction, you can use formative and summative assessment methods such as quizzes, essays, presentations, or portfolios. Additionally, self and peer assessment methods like rubrics, checklists, or surveys can be utilized to assess participation and performance in the case discussion. Furthermore, feedback methods like questionnaires, interviews, or focus groups can be used to collect your students' opinions and suggestions.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?