Case studies and simulation videos can be used to create an insight to a valuable ‘real world’ context for students, creating a more authentic teaching and learning environment. This style of video consists of a real or dramatised story that students watch and act upon as if they were encountering it in the workplace. Depending on the subject discipline, this could vary from a mental health patient undergoing assessment, to following a police investigation which students work through as the story progresses. The approach to learning in this way enables students to assess and critique ‘real world’ issues in a safe environment, where there is room for error, whilst offering the opportunity to give an insight into how professionals would operate in the workplace. The key benefit of this type of video is that it gives students the chance to experience greater interactive participation, allowing students scope for discussions and debate around the issues raised in the videos.
These videos could be created by simply setting up an interview (or talking head) to create a basic case study. Taken from an expert in the field (or an actor) which the students can then watch and deconstruct the video content. There are options were students are given more information as the weeks progress, possibly based around a business. These shorter videos can be staggered on delivery to make the students adapt to change from their first decisions, just as they might do when they are working in the industry.
A case study or scenario give students an engaging content for a framework for an assignment. Furthermore, recorded role-plays or dramatized sequences can work in a similar way and assist in delivering a more authentic and active learning experience. Providing the students opportunity to analyse situations, make recommendations or identify good/bad practice. Various case studies have been applied to teaching and learning within the University of Derby, from considering the approach to dealing with the mental health of patients to a business brief to working on a crime scene. These were all split into different shorter video sections, allowing for discussion and debate at the end of each viewed video. Providing students with a greater knowledge base to their learning to expand their potential graduate attributes and understanding.
If you would like support to create case studies or scenarios for your teaching, please contact tel@derby.ac.uk Examples below:
The idea for this case study video was to create a journey of a student suffering with paranoia, where the students had to watch a series of videos with Jeremy either creating a piece to camera or filmed as a scene. Once created this case study has also found its way into teaching on many other courses and it has lots of different use around mental health and safeguarding.
The idea of this video case study was to show the policing students a crime scene, working their way from an arrest of a suspect through to the cross examination in court. The various different sections allow for discussion and debate at the end of each section. This gives the students a greater knowledge base to their learning.
Author: Charlotte Ellis (Learning Technology Media Adviser)