Prelude to the Case

In this case study, students are introduced to Abby, a college student who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The students first read about Abby’s plight in a handout given to them before class, then hear a continuation of the story presented by the instructor in class using a PowerPoint presentation, which can be previewed in the right hand column. The case teaches students about basic cellular and genetic mechanisms responsible for cancer formation, how cells become cancerous through genetic mutations, how cancers can spread throughout the body by metastasizing, and how modern medicine is currently treating patients diagnosed with cancer through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

This case is called a clicker case because it 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.

Go to the handout

Go to the PowerPoint presentation (~2 MB)

Go to the teaching notes

Acknowledgements: This material is based upon work supported by the NSF Grant No.DUE-0618570. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF. Additionally, the authors would like to thank Drs. Clyde F. Herreid (University at Buffalo), Mary A. Lundeberg (Michigan State University), and Eric Ribbens (Western Illinois University) for their guidance and critical evaluation of the case.

Date Posted: August 12, 2008.