What is a Case Study?
A narrative of a real-life situation that presents a problem or unresolved tension which students can analyze, research, and resolve through collaborative learning.
Student Level
Any Level
Class Size
3 - 100+
Difficulty
Moderate
🔄 How It Works
1. Real-Life Narrative
Students receive a detailed scenario based on actual events or composites of real situations with strong plot and character development.
2. Analysis & Research
Students examine the elements, decisions made, and circumstances that led to the situation in the case study.
3. Problem Solving
Teams collaborate to determine what they would have done differently given the same circumstances and hindsight.
4. Application
Students apply classroom learning to real-world scenarios, making abstract concepts tangible and relevant.
📖 Case Study Example: 2000 Firestone Tire Crisis
🎯 Marketing/Business Focus
- Analyze the marketing nightmare for Firestone and Ford
- Develop damage control campaigns
- Examine company responses and results
- Identify what companies did right/wrong
🔬 Materials Science Focus
- Investigate why tires had blowout problems
- Suggest engineering solutions
- Evaluate public disclosure accuracy
- Explore alternative explanations
🌟 Key Benefits
🎯 Real-World Relevance
Shows students how classroom learning applies to actual situations they may encounter.
🤝 Collaborative Learning
Groups allow for greater breadth and depth of study and analysis.
🧠 Critical Thinking
Students develop analytical skills by examining complex, realistic scenarios.
🎓 Cross-Disciplinary
Same case can be viewed from multiple academic perspectives and disciplines.