The case for case studies: Dialogic engagement and case study creation in a higher education classroom

As engagement and work with diverse others has grown increasingly important in the world, many educators have committed to enhancing students’ ability to address complex equity-based issues in their profession and everyday lives. Although there is growing literature on the value of using case studies and small group dialog, very little exists on dialogic, cooperative case study creation. Using critical pedagogy and constructivism as the epistemic lenses, this study qualitatively examines how students gauge their learning in a course focusing on knowledge development through dialog and cooperative case study creation. Findings indicate that the experiential and collaborative nature of the course fostered learning that has implications for engagement with diverse others and with dealing with equity-based issues. The study adds to knowledge about the functionality of case studies, particularly student-created case studies.