Business Grand Rounds: A Roadmap to Using Student Cases for Problem-based Learning

Ken Weidner and Elena Lvina
September 9, 2021
SKU:
BUS-007996
Topic: 
Strategy & General Management
Length: 
121 pages
Keywords: 
Business Grand Rounds, problem solving, problem-based learning, PBL, student cases, ethics education, leadership education, ethics, leadership, business, business education, peer learning, innovative teaching, ignation pedagogy
Student Price: 
Free
Average rating: 
5

Business Grand Rounds is a flexible, student-centered, case-based learning process grounded in students’ self-described personal experiences (Weidner & Lvina, 2017). Business Grand Rounds is rooted in Ignatian pedagogy and borrows from grand rounds used in medical education. It builds upon and differs from the traditional case method often used in business schools. Instead of assigning lengthy and/or costly published teaching cases, Business Grand Rounds is based on 1 to 2-page cases written by students. Using student authored cases increases students’ engagement in and ownership of the learning process. Business Grand Rounds typically involves students working in groups, analyzing cases written by their classmates, applying course concepts, developing and critiquing potential decision options or approaches, and leading a case discussion with the entire class. Our experience is that students approach these short cases just as seriously (and often more seriously) than commercially available cases. We and our colleagues have used this process to achieve a variety of learning objectives in a wide range of courses and settings at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive graduate levels, in corporate programs, and in both in-person and online courses. Business Grand Rounds cultivates skills including writing, working in groups, applying course subject matter, critical thinking, analysis (problem identification and problem-solving), presentation and facilitation, and engaging in reflection. Although we present and explain Business Grand Rounds as a step-by-step process, it is a flexible framework that invites faculty creativity. We illustrate different design options throughout this discussion and provide examples, templates, and other tools to meet a range of learning objectives and student populations.

Reviews

Rating: 
5

I met Ken and Elena at the Colleagues in Jesuit Business Education meeting in the summer of 2022. While I couldn't attend their presentation, I made a note of their topic to revisit at a later date. While searching for more engaging content to add to my course in Ethics, Privacy and Social Justice Issues, I explored Ethics Grand Rounds (EGR). I really appreciated how the authors laid out the content in the Teaching Note. This made integrating Ethics Grand Rounds relatively straighforward and gave me the tools so I could jump in and facilitate EGR discussions. Based on course feedback, students also appreacited EGR. Many commented how our discussions focused on student cases were engaging and fostered student learning. I think students liked taking ownership of cases they presented and having discussions with others in the class. I am already updating my content for teaching EGR in my next Ethics course this upcoming term! Thank you.

Rating: 
5

I was introduced to Business Grand Rounds and the idea of student-written cases by the authors at the 2022 Academy of Management meeting.  I decided to adapt and incorporate student written cases into my Leading Organizations undergraduate class the following semester.  What an impact!  In the final class feedback, my 58 students selected the personal case studies as one of the top 3 assignments of the class and one of the top activites that supported their learning.  My students truly enjoyed applying course content to real-life, peer examples/situations.  They suggested incorporating the personal case studies even more in my future classes.  As a teacher, I appreciate how the authors present their idea(s) in a way that offers an adaptble design that remains very impactful.  Highly recommend!

Rating: 
5
Rating: 
5

Applicable to a wide range of contexts and a great vehicle for learning