The next University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education (UCITE) session will cover Case Inquiry (IQ), which is a small-group learning method that is adapted from the “new” Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach introduced at McMaster University School of Medicine in 2005. IQ is the cornerstone of learning in the Western Reserve2 Curriculum in the CWRU School of Medicine.
With the IQ teaching method, nine students join with one faculty facilitator three times a week to approach paper cases that naturally evoke inquiry and motivation for learning. Students develop their own learning objectives for each of two cases on Mondays and then return on Wednesdays and Fridays to discuss the reading, research and learning that they have accomplished relating to their objectives for each case.
Unlike many forms of more traditional PBL, all students within the IQ team are responsible for researching all student-generated learning objectives. This assures that all students take primary responsibility for their own learning and are prepared to discuss all objectives.
Throughout their experience in IQ, students develop skills of teamwork, professionalism, critical thinking and effective utilization of resources (Evidence-based IQ [PDF]), including primary literature.
As one might imagine, any “new” teaching initiative involves some successes, and some challenges.
The next UCITE session, held Thursday, Feb. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Allen Memorial Medical Library’s Herrick Room (use Adelbert Road doors), will feature a discussion about those successes and challenges with:
- Bob Petersen, professor of pathology and director of the Pathology Masters’ Program; and
- Amy Wilson-Delfosse, professor of pharmacology and the associate dean of curriculum at the School of Medicine.
Pizza and sodas will be provided at this session. RSVP to ucite@case.edu.