Promoting society-relevant social competencies with case studies
Case studies offer a valuable opportunity to promote important social skills – skills that are not only crucial for vocational success, but also for active participation in a democratic society.
With the help of case studies, students can learn to analyse complex problems, develop solutions independently and justify their decisions. These skills are particularly important at a time when democratic decisions are becoming increasingly complex. They train decision-making skills, critical thinking and a sense of responsibility, which are necessary for active participation in society and for vocational development.
Case studies can also be used to promote teamwork and communication skills. In the group work phases, the learners will bring in different perspectives, discuss them respectfully and find a common solution. This prepares them for cooperation in the world of work and for participation in social debates – essential skills for participation in a democratic society.
Teachers who integrate case studies into their lessons therefore make an important contribution to promoting the (democratic) maturity of their pupils. They not only prepare their learners for the labour market, but also for an active and responsible role in society.
Second transnational project meeting in Antwerp
The second face-to-face meeting of the TeC@ses project team took place at the end of November 2024. In a collaborative working atmosphere, we addressed and answered questions such as “How do we want to develop the content of the learning units of the Teach-module?” or ”Which scientific findings that we gain in the project are of interest to a broader audience?”
Project team in Antwerp, November 2024
For the duration of the project (12.2023 – 11.2026), a total of four face-to-face project meetings are scheduled. The next transnational meeting will take place in June 2025 in Tampere, Finland.
Current status of the project
Since the project meeting in Antwerp, all learning nuggets of the learning units “Teach case studies in VET traditional” and “Teach case studies in VET with digital aspects” have been developed. This means that the first draft in English of the module “Teach” is now created.
At the beginning of March, the evaluation of the “Teach” module by VET teachers from the partner countries began. This is the second time that future users are evaluating materials created as part of the project. The teachers can and should have a direct influence on further development so that the TeC@ses-tool is precisely tailored to the needs of teachers in vocational education. Our goal: A practical, useful and easy-to-use tool for their own professionalisation.
Once the module has been adapted based on the feedback, the major evaluation round of the entire TeC@ses tool will begin. If you are a vocational teacher for commercial education and are interested in taking part in the future evaluation rounds, please contact ilmari.puhakka@tuni.fi.
Current publications
Below you will find current research results on case studies in English in which project partners were involved. Please click on the blue headings and have a look:
- Pilz, M., Tögel, J, Alberts, S., van den Oord, S., Cramer, T., & Viteckova, K. (2024): Teaching with business cases in higher education: Expectations and practical implementation by lecturers of management.
- Vítečková, K., Cramer, T., Pilz, M., Tögel, J., Albers, S., van den Oord, S., & Rachwał, T. (2024): Case studies in business education: an investigation of a learner-friendly approach.
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Contact: ilmari.puhakka@tuni.fi
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.