J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996 Feb; 19(2): 92-8.

Innovations in education: a case study of a novel teaching/learning format.

Jamison JR.

Diagnostic Sciences, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an innovative teaching/learning option that engages the student as an active learner without compromising the financial advantages of large group/classroom teaching. METHOD: A case study is used to demonstrate an innovative teaching/learning format. The content of the case study is based upon the identification of referral criteria at the patient-health care system interface. The learning experience consists of a quiz followed by class discussion. SAMPLE: A convenience sample of final-year chiropractic and osteopathy students at RMIT. DISCUSSION: The case study demonstrates how this format may be used to create an environment in which each student is personally confronted by the necessity to reach a decision about referring a patient on the basis of the information provided. Having engaged each student in the decision-making process, this format then provides an opportunity for self-assessment and the enunciation of general guidelines during class discussion. An additional demonstrable benefit of this teaching/learning strategy is the lecturer's enhanced awareness of the learning needs of the student group. CONCLUSION: The format proposed provides an additional option for teaching/learning that is acceptable to students and is consistent with the need to contain costs, maintain standards and conform to the requirements of a competency-based curriculum.