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Resources

Case Teaching & Learning Case Writing External Links

Please find below links to a variety resources on Case Method teaching resources and student-focused resources on learning by the Case Method.

Case Method Teaching

Books
  • 2014
  • Harvard Business School Press

Teaching with Cases: A Practical Guide

Teaching with Cases: A Practical Guide

by E. Anderson & B. Schiano
This book gives practical advice on how to teach with cases at institutions where it is not the primary pedagogy.
  • 2003
  • McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Socrates' Muse: Reflections on Effective Case Discussion Leadership

Socrates' Muse: Reflections on Effective Case Discussion Leadership

by Robert F. Bruner
  • 15 AUG 1994
  • Harvard Business School Press

Teaching and the Case Method (3rd Ed)

Teaching and the Case Method (3rd Ed)

by C.R. Christensen, L.B. Barnes & A. Hansen
This is a book of cases used in the development of Case Teachers.
  • 01 JUL 1992
  • Harvard Business School Press

Education for Judgment: The Artistry of Discussion Leadership

Education for Judgment: The Artistry of Discussion Leadership

by David Garvin, C. Christensen & A. Sweet
This book gives an overview to the philosophy and applied strategies of teaching in a participant-centered learning environment.
Articles
  • September 2007
  • Academy of Management Learning & Education Vol. 6, No. 3 (Sep., 2007), pp. 364-374.

Teaching Executives and Teaching MBAs: Reflections on the Case Method

Teaching Executives and Teaching MBAs: Reflections on the Case Method

by David Garvin
  • October 2003
  • Harvard Magazine

Making the Case

Making the Case

by David Garvin
Background Notes
  • 1995, rev. 1996

Choreographing a Case Class

Choreographing a Case Class

by V. Kasturi Rangan
Compares four different approaches to case teaching: lecturing, theorizing, illustrating, and choreographing a case. Argues the advantages of the "choreography" method from the point of view of students' learning. Concludes with a description of that method and some tips on how to use it.
  • 1984, rev. 1985

Hints for Case Teaching

Hints for Case Teaching

by Benson P. Shapiro
Provides practical advice as well as bigger-picture philosophies. Highlights key skills including clarifying objectives, questioning and listening, and board work
  • 1976

Use of Cases in Management Education

Use of Cases in Management Education

by E. Raymond Corey
Directed toward students; valuable for professors as well. Briefly describes the process of case writing, the general nature of cases, and the advantages to students of learning by the case method. An approach to studying a case, individually or as a group member, for classroom discussion is outlined. Also summarizes the basic characteristics of a case discussion.
  • 1940

Because Wisdom Can't Be Told

Because Wisdom Can't Be Told

by Charles I. Gragg
A thoughtful and perceptive essay on the value of the case method in developing constructive, independent thought through participation, discovery, and open exchange. Stresses the importance of the instructor as discussion leader, and highlights the challenges and rewards that students encounter as they shift from lecture-based undergraduate studies to discussion-based learning.

Learning by the Case Method

Books
  • 2007
  • Harvard Business Review Press

The Case Study Handbook: How to Read, Discuss, and Write Persuasively About Cases

The Case Study Handbook: How to Read, Discuss, and Write Persuasively About Cases

by William Ellet
  • 2002

Learning by the Case Method

Learning by the Case Method

by John S. Hammond
Helps students fully capitalize on the case method. Succinctly introduces the benefits, format, and process while offering lots of "how-to" advice. Widely used as an introductory handout for executive, MBA, and undergraduate courses. Describes how case discussion enables the exchange of managerial experience and knowledge. Emphasizes the need to identify the real issues and do rigorous analysis in the course of reaching a management decision and that there is typically more than one "right" answer.
  • 1981

How to Avoid Getting Lost in the Numbers

How to Avoid Getting Lost in the Numbers

by David H. Maister
Geared toward students, the advice is to slow down, write everything out, and know why you're doing what you're doing. Basic, helpful advice.
Background Notes
  • 2002

Learning by the Case Method

Learning by the Case Method

by John S. Hammond
Helps students fully capitalize on the case method. Succinctly introduces the benefits, format, and process while offering lots of "how-to" advice. Widely used as an introductory handout for executive, MBA, and undergraduate courses. Describes how case discussion enables the exchange of managerial experience and knowledge. Emphasizes the need to identify the real issues and do rigorous analysis in the course of reaching a management decision and that there is typically more than one "right" answer.
  • 1981

How to Avoid Getting Lost in the Numbers

How to Avoid Getting Lost in the Numbers

by David H. Maister
Geared toward students, the advice is to slow down, write everything out, and know why you're doing what you're doing. Basic, helpful advice.

Please find below links to a variety of case writing resources from Harvard Business School Publishing. To order you must be signed into HBSP online as an educator. The "Sign In or Register Now" button is top right.

  • 17 APR 2015
  • Harvard Business Publishing

Key Elements for Excellence in Classroom Cases and Teaching Notes

Key Elements for Excellence in Classroom Cases and Teaching Notes

by James Austin, James L. Heskett, and Christopher A. Bartlett
This document offers guidance and advice, including check lists, for the preparation and writing of both classroom cases and their accompanying teaching notes. These guidelines were developed based on consultations with very experienced case teachers and an analysis of the elements of case studies and their teaching notes considered to be high quality by Harvard Business School faculty across departments, and on the basis of cases highly demanded by other schools.
  • 2001, revised 2012

Developing a Teaching Case (Abridged)

Developing a Teaching Case (Abridged)

by Michael J. Roberts
Comprehensive look at what constitutes an effective case: developing an idea; considering the teaching aspect of the case; working with companies on field research, interviews, and follow-up; and elements of case writing.
  • 1998

Writing Cases and Teaching Notes

Writing Cases and Teaching Notes

by E. Raymond Corey
Strong focus on the interview process, with suggestions on approaches and techniques as well as case length and style.
  • 1990, revised 1994

Writing Cases: Tips and Pointers

Writing Cases: Tips and Pointers

by Jane Linder
A concise overview with useful information on timelines for case writing and processes for circulating drafts and getting feedback.
  • 1990

Twenty Five Questions to Ask as You Begin to Develop a New Case Study

Twenty Five Questions to Ask as You Begin to Develop a New Case Study

by Mary Gentile
Provides straightforward advice for the new casewriter, both practical and philosophical.
  • 1975, revised 1984

Case Studies for Harvard Business School

Case Studies for Harvard Business School

by Benson P. Shapiro
Overview of the case writing process at HBS, including information specifically for companies on the benefits of participating and confidentiality of materials.

Writing Teaching Notes for Cases

  • 1993

Teaching Notes: Communicating the Teacher's Wisdom

Teaching Notes: Communicating the Teacher's Wisdom

by James Austin
Sets forth the rationale for teaching notes, what they should contain and why, and how they can be prepared. In discussing the value of a well-written teaching note, this case highlights the critical structural elements of preparing for an effective class: timing, pastures, transitions, identifying potential pitfalls, board plans, question plans.

Please find below links to Teaching and Learning Centers, Additional Case Resources, Professional Organizations and Journals.

The Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning is not responsible for content on external links.

Teaching & Learning Centers

Harriet W. Sheridan Center

Brown University

Haas School of Business, Center for Teaching Excellence

University of California, Berkeley

The Center for Teaching and Learning

University of Chicago

Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning

Columbia University

Cornell Center for Learning and Teaching

Cornell University (Johnson)

Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning

Dartmouth University

Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning

Harvard University

MIT Teaching and Learning Laboratory

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Searle Center for Teaching Excellence

Northwestern University

Stanford Teaching Commons

Stanford University

Teaching Resource Center

University of Virginia (Darden)

Center for Teaching and Learning

University of Washington

Alfred West Jr. Learning Lab

Wharton

SLATE

Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Additional Case Resources

Case Place

Aspen Institute

The Case Center

Harvard Business School Publishing

PON Clearing House

Harvard Law School (A resource center for negotiation and alternative dispute resolution)

INSEAD

Kellogg Case Collection

Northwestern University

Ivey Publishing

Richard Ivey School of Business

Stanford Entrepreneurship Case Studies

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Darden Business School Publishing

University of Virginia
Professional Organizations

POD Network

Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Independent policy and research center with a primary mission "to do and perform all things necessary to encourage, uphold, and dignify the profession of the teacher and the cause of higher education."

Chronicle of Higher Education

Published weekly, The Chronicle is a news source for college and university faculty members and administrators.

EDUCAUSE

Nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology.

The Organizational Behavior Teaching Society

Dedicated to innovative teaching and learning in the organizational and management sciences.
Journals

Journal of Management Education

Academy of Management - Learning and Education

Management Learning

Journal of Education for Business

Christensen Center Tip Sheets

  • Characteristics of Effective Case Method Teaching
  • Elements of Effective Class Preparation
  • Guidelines for Effective Observation of Case Instructors
  • In-Class Assessment of Discussion-Based Teaching
  • Questions for Class Discussions
  • Teaching Quantitative Material
  • Strategies and Tactics for Sensitive Topics
Featured Video 
In this video Professor Jan Rivkin explores General Shoe Company, the first Harvard Business School case study, how the case method came to be at the School, and why it’s still relevant nearly a century later

View Video
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