Facilitating Case Reuse During Problem Solving
David Jonassen
Perhaps the most common strategy for supporting different kinds of problem solving is to present other cases as examples or analogues of how similar problems are solved. Worked examples present source cases prior to problem solving. When learners’ construction schemas based on structural similarities between the source and target, transfer improves. When similar cases are presented after problem engagement, learners directly relate it to the source problem without attempting to construct a schema (case-based reasoning). An unresolved issue is how best to support case comparisons and reuse. Three potential strategies are recommended: questioning, verbal protocol analysis, and structure mapping.