Implementing the Case Method of Instruction in Special Education Teacher Preparation Programs

Abstract

During the last decade teacher educators' interest in the Case Method of Instruction (CMI) has revived due to pressure from within and outside of the profession. CMI uses cases, or real-life situations, to enable prospective teachers to solve problems they may encounter in the classroom. The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines for effectively implementing CMI in special education teacher preparation programs. The reader is provided with information about how to write cases, how to access (and assess) commercially-available cases, and how to present a case. Examples of inservice applications of CMI are provided, along with a discussion relating to evaluation issues.