Web-Based Case Learning Environment Design And Research

Attached to the10th Five-Year Humanity and Social Science Plan Projectof the MOE: Multi-Subject Study on Web-Based Education Models andDevelopment(01JA880027), this study focuses on the process of case learningand designing effective online case learning environment. According to theparadigm of design research, the author carried out a four-stage study: At thestage of need analysis, the author was acquainted with the actuality of casewarehouses and requirements of online case learning environment. At thestage of system realization, the author designed a web-based case assistedstudy environment (WebCASE) and realized the cognition module. At thestage of application, the author studied case learning activities in the courseof Introduction of Industry System(IIS)fall 2004. At the stage of systemupswing, the author designed WebCASE 1.0.The study on case learning activities assisted by WebCASE in IIS fall2004 indicates: WebCASE was approbated by most informants. The originalcases realized continue growing, including from case to case report, from caseand case report to case package. There are six phases in case learning process,including choosing case and grouping, elementary discussing and dividing thework, searching resource and communication, defining report topic and draft,finishing and releasing case report, case report meeting and evaluating. Toevaluate student impersonally and roundly, the author designed a caselearning evaluating rubric.Up to now, WebCASE prototype has been used for three terms in IIS. Theideas of case growth and online case learning community have been embodiedin not only WebCASE but also several other projects.