Laurentian University received a Knowledge Network (KNAER) grant from the Ontario Ministry of Education to host workshops on using Case Studies and Problem-based learning, novel methods for teaching in science and other disciplines. We have invited Dr. Clyde Herreid, a specialist in using Case Studies in science from the University of New York at Buffalo to present the workshops to university faculty in Northern Ontario. Dr. Herreid is a distinguished science professor and director of the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has been using case-based teaching methods for over two decades and has received over $2 million in grants to further the development and dissemination of Case Studies and Problem Based Learning in the U.S. and abroad. The "Center for Case Studies" has developed an online repository of peer-reviewed case studies that are freely accessible online. Dr. Herreid has also authored a book entitled “Start with a story: The Case Study Method of Teaching College Science”.
Case studies are stories with an educational message. They have been used as parables and cautionary tales for centuries, yet their formal use in the science classroom is recent. So recent, in fact, that until the early 1990s the case studies literature in science was virtually non-existent. This has begun to change as more and more faculty are realizing the inadequacies of the lecture method and are seeking novel methods of instruction. Cases can be used not only to teach scientific concepts and content, but also process skills and critical thinking. Using cases that are based on contemporary and contentious science problems that students encounter in the news makes science relevant to the students. The case study method is extraordinarily flexible. It can be used as the core of entire courses or for single experiences in traditional lecture and lab courses. Moreover, cases can be presented in a variety of formats and taught in a variety of ways, ranging from the classical discussion method used in business and law schools to Problem-Based Learning and Team Learning, with their emphasis on small-group, cooperative learning strategies.
Laurentian University invites interested participants from formal and non-formal educational institutions and organizations from across Northern Ontario to participate in a one day workshop which will focus on designing and using Case Studies and Problem Based Learning to teach science and other disciplines. University faculty, education policy makers, college instructors, teachers and school administrators, governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations, museum and science center educators are encouraged to attend this high powered workshop. Participants can attend one of two workshops to be held on March 1, 2012 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (for university and college instructors and teachers) and March 2, 2012 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (for graduate students, administrators, and other educators) at Laurentian University. The deadline for registration is February 29, 2012. The workshops will also be available via video-conferencing for those who cannot attend in person. Video-conferencing will be hosted via the Contact North sites on March 1, 2012 only. If you will be participating via video-conferencing you will need to register early so that we know how many people will be participating. We will need contact information for participants so that we can send them the workshop materials ahead of time.
Registration: You can register online or download a registration form and mail it to the address indicated on the form. You can also download the event poster for the workshop here.
We will be sending more information about the workshop and meeting venues to all registered participants prior to the event. For more information please contact Kyle Craftchick (kj_craftchick@laurentian.ca) or Dr. Yovita Gwekwerere (ygwekwerere@laurentian.ca, 705-675-1151 ext 3215).