The Case Writing Process
1
Case Origin
Identify the needs and determine the educational purpose for the case
2
Establishing Needs
Search for specific issues, ideas, and organizations that might supply case information
3
Initial Contact
Establish access to material and sources for the case subject
4
Data Collection
Gather relevant information through interviews, documents, and research
5
Writing Process
Organize and present the data and information in case format
6
Release
Obtain permission from appropriate individuals to use the case for educational purposes
Value of Cases in Education
Active Learning
Students engage in specific tasks and critical thinking
Real-World Problems
Analyze and solve relevant practical situations
Higher-Order Thinking
Promote problem solving and interpretation skills
Transfer Learning
Apply knowledge to similar real-world situations
Types of Cases
🎭 Action-Provoking Cases
Present dilemmas that require students to take on decision-maker roles. Focus on problem-solving and action recommendations in complex situations.
📖 Reference Cases
Include both the problem and its solution with outcomes. Students analyze why solutions succeed or fail to gain deeper understanding.
Four Major Writing Activities
📋 Planning
• Identify purpose and learning outcomes
• Understand learner attributes
• Decide what information to include
• Determine instructional sequence
• Understand learner attributes
• Decide what information to include
• Determine instructional sequence
🏗️ Organizing
• Structure in narrative style
• Present complexity of issues
• Show multiple perspectives
• Create engaging plot with conflict
• Present complexity of issues
• Show multiple perspectives
• Create engaging plot with conflict
✍️ Drafting
• Develop central idea
• Transform ideas into concrete text
• Focus on content over grammar
• Support learning objectives
• Transform ideas into concrete text
• Focus on content over grammar
• Support learning objectives
🔍 Revising
• Re-read and evaluate critically
• Check alignment with learning outcomes
• Ensure completeness and accuracy
• Verify narrative structure
• Check alignment with learning outcomes
• Ensure completeness and accuracy
• Verify narrative structure
✅ Revision Checklist
✓
Will the case produce intended learning outcomes?
✓
Are problem issues related to learning outcomes?
✓
Is the case sufficiently complete and complex?
✓
Does it use effective narrative style elements?
✓
Are events sequenced in logical order?
✓
Is content accurate, relevant, and appropriate?