Have you used another writer’s case and created an alternative teaching note that covers a new and different way of teaching the case? (Not an ‘improved’ version of the existing note.) If so, you can submit it online for other teachers to use. Simply login and use the ‘Add or revise a case’ option.

What to include in your teaching note

There are no hard and fast rules for the style or format of a teaching note. However, it should include the following:

1. Synopsis of the case
   Provide a brief description of what the case is about, and the context in which it is set.
2. Target group
   Indicate the target learning group, for example, undergraduates, postgraduates, executive.
3. Learning objectives and key issues
   Set out the learning objectives, and identify the key issues in the case that will help achieve them.
4. Teaching strategy
   Describe how the case may be used in class. For example, suggest trigger questions to open the case discussion; offer ideas for group work; suggest how learning can be consolidated at the end of the case session, and so on. This section will generally reflect your own teaching style.
5. Questions for discussion
   Include a list of questions designed to promote discussion of the key issues within the case.
6. Analysis of data
   If the case contains quantitative data for analysis it can be helpful if the results of essential ‘number crunching’ are provided in the teaching note. Teachers can use this to check their own calculations.
7. Background reading
   Provide references to relevant supplementary material on the case or related issues. You may also provide information on ‘what happened next’, something students are usually keen to know.
8. Experience of using the case
   Include feedback on how the case has worked in different classes, and the issues on which students have tended to focus. This can be useful for other teachers preparing to teach your case.
9. Multimedia
   Include links to video and audio clips that are relevant to the case.

References

Heath, J (2015), Teaching and Writing Cases: A practical guide (The Case Centre) ISBN 978-0-907815-04-4

Leenders, M R and Erskine, J A (1989), Case Research: The Case Writing Process (The University of Western Ontario) ISBN 0-7714-1045-X

Reynolds, J I, Case Method in Management Development (International Labour Office)

Video clips

Watch a selection of video clips of management educators talking about teaching notes.