Work in progress: a fresh look at case studies

Students in the manufacturing engineering technology program at Western Washington University complete two assignments in which they must research and prepare a written and/or oral report on an engineering case study. Student-researched case studies address a number of learning objectives, including EAC criteria 3.f-j and TAC criteria 2.g-j, they can be used to address technical learning objectives, and they increase student motivation and often provide a fresh look at the case and the lessons it teaches. The most significant challenge to using student-researched case study assignments is developing well structured assignments that are open-ended, but have clear expectations.