Teaching computer applications using computer cases
Charles M. Lovas · ACM SIGCSE Bulletin · 1979
The case method of teaching is used to encourage continued use of computers and programming in a student's major area after the initial course(s) in computer programming. The computer case demonstrates the real-life need for the computer application, promotes independent problem-solving and computer code generation, and exposes the student to a broad spectrum of educational experiences. The flexibility of classroom operation provided to the instructor by the case method permits efficient introduction of supplementary content material and provides the instructor with the opportunity to custom classroom discussion to elicit the maximum change in student performance with a minimum of time.The teaching of extended program applications in courses using the computer, beyond the basic computer programming courses, suffers in many curricula for a number of reasons: lack of student interest, student "fear" of programming, lack of instructor training in use of the computer, inability of instructors to relate the computer application to an existing need in real-life, excess time and effort for major project programming, and others. One approach to the teaching of computer applications which can alleviate many of these difficulties is the use of computer cases.