Prelude to the Case

This “clicker case” is designed for introductory biology classes. In this fictionalized story, John and Jane’s new baby is born with Down syndrome and the parents are suing the prenatal clinic where Jane received her care, blaming the clinic for the baby’s condition. Students assume the role of an outside consultant hired by a law firm to serve as an expert witness in the case. To help determine the cause of “Baby Doe’s” condition and whether anyone can be held responsible, students need to help the jury understand the process of cell division. In particular, they must explain the behavior of the chromosomes during cell division and how errors in this process can result in conditions such as Down syndrome.

This case was designed to be presented in a class that uses personal response systems, better known as “clickers.” The case study is presented in class via PowerPoint, with multiple-choice questions sprinkled throughout the “lecture.” Students are expected to answer the questions as they arise using their clickers. Many instructors allow students to consult with their neighbor before clicking in their answer. The entire approach encourages student participation even in the largest of classes. The use of clickers in combination with case studies is described in greater detail in the article “Clicker” Cases: Introducing Case Study Teaching Into Large Classrooms.

Date Posted: January 15, 2010.