ED 875

CASE STUDIES OF MACRO CHANGE OR TRANSFORMATION

Back to Educational Transfromation Main Page

The purpose of this course project option is to prepare a case study of an institutional change or transformation process that can be used for pedagogical purposes. The intent is to develop a case that might be used as part of the Kellogg Forum on Higher Education Transformation's (KFHET) dissemination efforts. The cases provided a pedagogical vehicle to expand and increase the knowledge of students in higher education seminars on institutional change and transformation and of participants in workshops or other training programs designed to assist them in guiding their institutional change efforts.

In this context, a pedagogical case study is one that describes the context, initiatives, strategies, and dynamics in an institution undertaking a major change or transformational effort. The cases are intended to be accurate reports of this effort rather than analytic or conceptual research studies. A good case will present all the relevant events, participants, activities, and issues in the change process. They are not intended to be examples of either successful or unsuccessful efforts or effective or ineffective strategies. They should be well organized, clearly presented stories of the experience of an institution and the key participants. A good case often ends with a critical decision, conflict or issue faced by the institution. This allows learners to use the case study to analyze, interpret and debate how the situation has emerged and to design strategies for taking the next steps.

In preparing a case study, an institution should be carefully selected to assure that it reflects a major change or transformational effort, that there is institutional willingness to participate, that all relevant institutional information and informants are accessible, and that it represents an interesting example of change. A few key steps in preparing a case study are attached. Examples of well written pedagogical case studies can be provided.

A student planning to write such a case study should develop a prospectus and discuss it with the faculty sponsor before beginning the project. It is expected theses cases will be reviewed by the KFHET group and considered for use in their future efforts to expand institutional capacity to engage in major institutional change and transformation efforts.

Following:

KEY STEPS IN WRITING A CASE

I. Identify the case topic, setting, primary focus, and perspective.

II. Obtain relevant public background materials and knowledgeable informant insights.

III. Obtain access, approval, and clarify anonymity issues with key gatekeeper.

IV. Obtain relevant documents, minutes, reports and other appropriate materials.

V. Develop preliminary chronology of key events leading to controversy or decision and identify key players and issues.

VI. Consider varied perspective and sources of information and pedagogical purpose of the case.

VII. Develop interview protocol (key questions for various informants) and further information to collect. This will evolve further.

VIII. Conduct interviews and collect other documents, information and materials.

IX. Develop case outline and style of presentation.

X. Draft case. Obtain comment and feedback from key gatekeeper (and other students). Revise and finalize the case.

PREPARATION

Feb. 1: Identify Institution for case study.

Feb. 1 - March 7: Steps I - VI.

March 7: Submit list of chronology of events, actors, and issues.

Step VII. Draft of interview protocol.

March 7 - April 4: Step VIII - Conduct Interviews

Step IX - Develop case outline for review.

April 11: Step X - Submit draft of case for review and further revision.

April 25: Revised case study.

CASE WRITING PROSPECTUS

Prepare a brief (1-2 pp.) prospectus for the case you are proposing to write. Please, use the following format:

PROSPECTUS

 

I. Tentative Title and Author(s)

II. Setting: Institution, System and Agency. Sub unit or office if appropriate.

III. Primary Focus: What is the major controversy, decision, or issue that is the primary focus of this case?

IV. Prospectus: What person or group plays the central role in this controversy on decision?

V. Pedagogical Purpose: What educational purpose do you anticipate for this case? What issues will it highlighted? What management for leadership function or process does it address?

VI. Background Information: What materials and information do you already have on this situation?

VII. Access: Do you have personal access to the key gatekeepers in this situation? Is access a problem? If so, what help could you use?

VIII. Approval Anonymity: Assuming the case will be shared and/or used in teaching settings, from whom will you seek approval to do the case (if it is not done only from documents and public records)? Will it be necessary to disguise the case? How will you deal with issues of informant confidentiality/anonymity if requested.

Back to Educational Transformation Main Page