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Digital Case Method

Dr. Adam Stepan

The course is suited for teaching and learning professionals, media professors, university leaders, and educators interested in learning, creating, and using Digital Case Studies.

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The course is suited for teaching and learning professionals, media professors, university leaders, and educators interested in learning, creating, and using Digital Case Studies.

This course will allow learners to tap into the power of visual storytelling through the powerful format of the digital case study, which can and should be created by students themselves. This class uses video tutorials and practical guides to teach learners case creation using inexpensive tools such as a smartphone, stabilizer, and Adobe Premiere Software. It also dives into how to design, fund, and manage education programs built on digital case studies.

To be successful in this course no pre-requisite filmmaking knowledge is required. An interest in documentary-style filmmaking and video editing is all you need.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: The Digital Case - History and Current Use
This module covers an overview of how digital cases are created and used including the format and different approaches to using case method in the classroom.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches students how to create digital case studies to document their own learning or the learning of others
Uses low-cost materials and software, making it accessible to almost anyone
Covers the entire process of creating a digital case study from start to finish
Can be used to create case studies in any subject area
Provides educators with a powerful tool for teaching and learning
Taught by an experienced educator and filmmaker

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Reviews summary

Practical digital case method for educators

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical and accessible approach to creating and utilizing digital case studies, particularly for educators and university professionals. Students frequently highlight its strength in teaching visual storytelling using inexpensive tools like smartphones, making it highly applicable without prior filmmaking experience. Many found the modules on program design and funding invaluable for implementing digital case initiatives. While praised for its comprehensive overview and practical guides, some learners with prior video editing experience found the technical aspects, particularly for Adobe Premiere, to be introductory. Overall, it's considered an empowering experience for modernizing teaching methods and creating engaging educational content.
Offers foundational video production, ideal for beginners but basic for experienced users.
"As someone with some prior experience in video editing, I found the Adobe Premiere aspects a bit too brief. It's more of an overview..."
"If you have any prior experience with a DSLR or editing software, you might find some modules a bit slow."
"It's truly for absolute beginners in video production."
Provides a well-structured and comprehensive look at the digital case method.
"The Digital Case Method course is well-structured and provides a comprehensive look at an innovative teaching approach."
"It was a solid introduction to the digital case method, particularly strong on the 'why' and 'how to implement a program.'"
"It offers a broad overview..."
Provides a strong foundation in creating compelling documentary-style visual narratives.
"I particularly enjoyed the hands-on approach to visual storytelling. It demystified the process of creating high-quality documentary-style content."
"I learned a lot about structuring narratives and conducting effective interviews."
"The 'Visual Storytelling' section, especially the practical tips on filming with a smartphone, was a revelation."
Highly valuable for academic professionals and those setting up educational programs.
"This course was exactly what I needed to kickstart a digital case study initiative at my university."
"The modules on program design and funding were invaluable for a university administrator like myself."
"The unique insights into managing and funding digital case programs were quite valuable and not something you find elsewhere."
Focuses on creating content with readily available and inexpensive equipment.
"The focus on using readily available tools like smartphones and stabilizers made it incredibly practical and accessible."
"The 'Visual Storytelling' section, especially the practical tips on filming with a smartphone, was a revelation."
"The practical guides using everyday tools are a huge plus for accessibility."
The course provides an overview of post-production, but dedicated software tutorials are brief.
"I found the Adobe Premiere aspects a bit too brief. It's more of an overview than an in-depth tutorial for that specific software."
"Some parts of post-production felt rushed, but the core message is very strong."
"My only minor critique is that some of the technical explanations for post-production were a bit general, and I had to look up more detailed tutorials externally for Adobe Premiere."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Digital Case Method with these activities:
Read "The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human"
This book provides insights into the power of storytelling and its role in human cognition and culture.
View The Story Paradox on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly.
  • Reflect on the key concepts presented in the book.
  • Consider how the insights from the book can be applied to the creation of digital case studies.
Review Principles of Visual Storytelling
Refreshing your knowledge of the principles of visual storytelling will help you to create more engaging and effective digital case studies.
Browse courses on Visual Storytelling
Show steps
  • Review the provided materials on the principles of visual storytelling.
  • Analyze examples of effective visual storytelling in digital case studies.
Review the Principles of Visual Storytelling
Contextualize the course's concepts by embedding them in an existing knowledge framework.
Browse courses on Visual Storytelling
Show steps
  • Read articles on the history and use of visual storytelling
  • Watch a few short documentaries and analyze their techniques
11 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 14 activities
Explore the Art of Interviewing for Digital Cases
Develop the skills needed to capture compelling interviews for digital cases.
Browse courses on Interviewing
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on how to conduct effective interviews
  • Practice interviewing a friend or family member using the techniques you learned
Explore Storytelling Techniques in Digital Case Studies
These tutorials will help you develop the skills necessary to create compelling and effective digital case studies.
Browse courses on Visual Storytelling
Show steps
  • Review the provided tutorials on storytelling techniques in digital case studies.
  • Analyze the techniques used in real-world digital case studies.
Create a Storyboard for a Short Digital Case Study
Bridge the gap between conceptual understanding and practical application by creating a visual representation of a digital case study.
Browse courses on Storyboard
Show steps
  • Identify the key points to be covered in the case study
  • Sketch out a rough storyboard
  • Refine the storyboard with feedback from peers or instructors
Participate in a Digital Case Study Production Workshop
Enhance practical skills and gain hands-on experience in the creation of digital case studies.
Browse courses on Video Production
Show steps
  • Identify a workshop that focuses on digital case study production
  • Register for the workshop and prepare for the activities
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises
Sharpen Interviewing Skills for Case Studies
The more practice you have interviewing for case studies, the more effective you will become.
Browse courses on Interviewing Techniques
Show steps
  • Review the provided materials on interviewing techniques for case studies.
  • Conduct practice interviews with peers or colleagues.
Network with Other Professionals in the Digital Case Study Field
Networking with other professionals in the field will allow you to learn from their experiences and expand your knowledge.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Identify networking events relevant to digital case studies.
  • Attend the events and actively engage with other attendees.
Volunteer at a Local Non-Profit Organization
Apply classroom knowledge to practical situations, fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of visual storytelling in addressing social issues.
Browse courses on Non-Profit
Show steps
  • Identify a local non-profit organization that you are interested in supporting
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Assist in creating visual content for the organization, such as videos, photographs, or social media graphics
Mentor Students in a High School or Community College
Strengthen understanding and solidify knowledge by sharing it with others, fostering a deeper comprehension of the concepts.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Identify a high school or community college that offers opportunities for student mentoring
  • Contact the school and inquire about mentoring opportunities
  • Meet with your mentee regularly and provide support and guidance in the area of digital case study creation
Attend a Workshop on Digital Case Study Design
Attending a workshop can provide you with valuable insights and hands-on experience that will help you to improve your digital case study design skills.
Browse courses on Instructional Design
Show steps
  • Research and identify a relevant workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.
  • Apply the knowledge and skills you gained in the workshop to your own digital case studies.
Begin a Small-Scale Digital Case Study Project
Starting a real-world project will help you to see how you can apply the principles you learn in the course.
Browse courses on Visual Storytelling
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your case study.
  • Plan the scope and structure of your case study.
  • Start collecting data and materials for your case study using the skills learned in the course.
Create a Digital Case Study on a Topic of Your Choice
Creating your own digital case study will allow you to synthesize the knowledge and skills you have gained throughout the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your case study.
  • Research and gather information on your topic.
  • Develop the structure and storyboard for your case study.
  • Create the content for your case study, including video, audio, and text.
  • Publish and share your case study.

Career center

Learners who complete Digital Case Method will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Course image
Effort
13 hours to complete
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Columbia University
Instructor
Dr. Adam Stepan
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches students how to create digital case studies to document their own learning or the learning of others
Uses low-cost materials and software, making it accessible to almost anyone
Covers the entire process of creating a digital case study from start to finish
Can be used to create case studies in any subject area
Provides educators with a powerful tool for teaching and learning
Taught by an experienced educator and filmmaker
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