President Kim B. Clark’s background in technology and the progressive, exemplary education of Harvard University suit him to an administration of change and innovation at BYU-Idaho.

Following the recent alterations to the academic calendar, students have been talking about other needed alterations, including a moving walkway up to the Ricks and a home page search that actually finds things. While there hasn’t been much discussion on these issues, other important academic changes may be coming soon.

President Clark has been discussing possible changes since his arrival. One such change to increase the quality of each student’s experience at BYU-I is the implementation of the case method.

The case method is a manner of teaching and learning which would present actual dilemmas or case studies students could encounter in their field.

Instead of a classroom experience centered on lecture, students would actively apply course material through classroom interaction, during which the instructor would act as a facilitator more than a lecturer.
In a business class, for example, students may be given a scenario from history. The situation is elaborated upon, details are given, and students are asked, “What should you do?” The instructor is present to encourage learning, to guide the discussion and ask questions that will guide students in creating insights.

Instead of memorizing information to be applied in the work force later on, students see the principles in action, then personally apply the principles and concepts as they solve realistic problems related to their field. By doing this, students, in a sense, discover principles for themselves.

Additionally, in-class discussions help students develop problem solving skills, interpersonal skills and a variety of other tools that will be invaluable throughout their educations and careers.

However, the case method has not been used extensively in an undergraduate setting. Even in graduate programs it has not seen widespread use outside of medical, law and business schools.

Implementing the method at BYU-I would be highly innovative and would require extensive effort on the part of administration, faculty and students. This style of learning would require far more student preparation and participation. In order for a case discussion to be effective, students would need to come to class well versed in the information and skills being addressed by the case.

The case method follows the trend of recent changes by making student needs the first priority. The case method will help BYU-I students to be better prepared for the workforce.

While the potential benefits to the student are great, the responsibilities placed on the student also increase.

In recent years the quality of the students at BYU-I has increased, as have the expectations placed on them. The next step may well be the implementation of the case method. As with all recent changes continuing the school’s campaign to “rethink education,” the hope is that students on this campus will rise to the challenge.