Problem-based learning and teaching with case studies are instructional approaches that are increasingly being applied in a variety of disciplines, such as business, law, medicine, and education. Although there are texts available that offer examples of what works and what to avoid when teaching with cases, instructors exposed to traditional…

This paper examines the decisions, benefits, and difficulties in teaching educational psychology through a constructivist case study approach. Recent interest in and inquiry into constructivism, pedagogical content knowledge, and case study methodology are influencing the content and goals of educational psychology in teacher preparation. The…

Problem-based learning and teaching with case studies are instructional approaches that are increasingly being applied in a variety of disciplines, such as business, law, medicine, and education. Instructors who have experienced traditional, teacher-centered instruction are often looking for ways to successfully integrate case studies, a…

Writing and teaching case studies of problematic educational situations or events to undergraduate preservice teachers raises several practical issues relevant to the success of the method. These concerns include: knowledge of the undergirding rationale for using cases; knowledge of the advantages, disadvantages, and practical problems in case…

Teaching online with case studies requires innovation and flexibility from both the instructor and the student that extends beyond traditional pedagogy. Online teaching, by nature, is interactive and requires constructivist, collaborative course structures and expectations. In addition to a rich and well-organized Website featuring a variety of…

Case-based teaching in some fields offers competition experiences as prestigious professional benchmarks and development experiences in professional preparation. Case-based team competition in teacher education can offer possibilities for preservice professional growth and development. Case-based teaching also has a natural fit with constructivist…

Case-based teaching as a strategy to effectively weave theory, practice, and problem-solving into the preservice teacher education curriculum is gaining momentum in the preparation of future teachers. Teacher educators have discovered that the case study method provides a valuable link to the "real world" of teaching as well as…

Case-based pedagogy as a strategy to effectively weave theory, practice, and problem-solving in preservice teacher preparation has resulted in a national team case competition. Teams of preservice teachers from five teacher preparation institutions were invited to the University of Virginia to independently solve a classroom dilemma, present a…

This paper presents two examples of the case study method applied to enhance preservice teachers' decision-making abilities and multicultural perspectives. In the first example, preservice teachers (N=17) enrolled in a sophomore educational psychology course chose a case from a preselected list to diagnose and present to the class for analysis and…

The case study method refers to a descriptive research document based on a real-life situation, problem, or incident. Cases describe situations calling for analysis, planning, decision-making, and/or action. The method requires that every attempt be made to provide an unbiased, multidimensional perspective in presenting the case and arriving at…

This paper chronicles the transition and adjustments of a teacher educator and a group of preservice teachers from the application of the case study method in their university classrooms, to their preparation for and participation in a national team case competition, to the impact of this experience on their subsequent personal and professional…