Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter XXXI
On-Line Case Discussion:
A Methodology
Henri Isaac
Paris Dauphine University, France
ABSTRACT
Over the past several years, a number of research studies have investigated the application
of Internet technologies to the classroom. Most of the research focus on asynchronous
technology such as newsgroups or Web sites, or on GSS. No research investigates the
possibility of conducting on-line case discussion. As case discussion in the classroom is a
key pedagogical method in an executive program, our research examines a methodology
for on-line case discussion. In this chapter, the results of an experiment conducted in an
executive MBA program to investigate the use of on-line case discussion is presented. First,
other research to determine the distinguishing characteristics of case discussion is
reviewed. Then, the pedagogical context for the experiment is provided, and the experimental
method is described. Finally, the results of a satisfaction questionnaire completed by the
participants in the experiment are presented. Suggestions for further research and
experiments are also discussed.
INTRODUCTION
Over the past several years, a number of research studies have investigated the
application of Internet technologies to the classroom. No research has investigated the
possibility of conducting synchronous on-line case discussion, however. As case discus-
sion in the classroom is a key pedagogical method, especially in an executive program, the
research described in this chapter examines the conditions in which such a pedagogical
