Making Learning Real with Problem-Based Case Learning
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Tools & Resources

You’ll find helpful tools for PBCL experiences on this page. If they're here it’s because other instructors, students, and business partners have found them to be valuable.

All of the tools listed are available in PDF format. In addition, because even the best tools can be made better when tailored to a specific need, many are also available in Microsoft Word format so that you can customize them as you see fit. Please do not delete the web address from these documents.

Come back and check this page periodically to see additions to our list of tools. Even better, sign up for our e-mail newsletter and we'll tell you about new tools when they're posted here. Have you found or created tools that might be useful to others? We'll post them, giving you full credit. To sign up for our newsletter or to send us your tools, please fill out the inquiry form.

PBCL Design Tool

The PBCL Design Tool includes sections for all of the elements instructors might consider in the design of a PBCL experience. Instructors and business partners can use this tool anytime they develop a new PBCL experience.
Download PDF | Download Word doc

Need to Know Board (NTKB)

The Need to Know Board (NTKB) is a four-column visual organizer for recording facts, assumptions, questions, and resources. When used at any point during the PBCL experience, the NTKB helps focus students' attention on their process and establish a clear and consistent way of communicating.
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Habits of Mind Checklist

The Habits of Mind Checklist allows instructors to rate how well their students exhibit behaviors that reflect and promote skillful thinking. Although the tool can be employed at any point in the PBCL experience, it's most edifying when instructors use it to compare students' ratings given at the beginning and at the end of a PBCL experience.
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Useful Resources for Finding Business Partners

This document includes links to government agencies, industry associations, and other resources that can be helpful when instructors attempt to identify business partners for their courses.
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Scoring Rubric for Presentations

The Scoring Rubric for Presentations lists traits that can be systematically observed during a presentation. Instructors, students, and business partners can use this tool to rate students during rehearsals and subsequent presentations.
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Professional Development and Coaching Program Brochure

This document describes the professional development and coaching programs offered by ITL.
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Indicators of PBCL

The Indicators of PBCL tool lists traits exhibited by strong PBCL experiences. Instructors can use this tool before and during a PBCL experience to help guide their planning and reflection.
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The Stages of the PBCL Cycle

This document provides a detailed description of each of the PBCL Cycle's nine stages. Instructors can share this tool with students and business partners to establish shared terminology for understanding and communicating about the PBCL experience.
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Thinking Through the PBCL Cycle

The Thinking Through the PBCL Cycle tool includes prompts for students to think about their progress at each stage of the PBCL Cycle. Students can use this tool to help them check if they're ready to move to the next stage of the PBCL Cycle or if they need to return to a previous stage.
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Assessing Teamwork

The Assessing Teamwork tool lists indicators of effective, appropriate, and responsive teamwork. Instructors can use this tool to assess students; students can use it to assess themselves and other students.
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Observation Form

The Observation Form provides spaces for instructors to document and rate the frequency of students' verbal and nonverbal behaviors. Instructors can use this tool at any point in the PBCL experience to structure their observations and communicate their observations with students.
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Learning Log

The Learning Log provides guidelines to support student metacognition (i.e., thinking about thinking). Students can make entries into their logs throughout the PBCL Cycle and can use them for reference during reflection and debriefing events.
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Checking for Understanding

The Checking for Understanding tool lists a variety of questions that can be used to support the development of deeper learning and understanding. Students can refer to this tool as they progress through the PBCL Cycle and instructors can refer to it when looking for ways to prompt particular thoughts or behaviors in their students.
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Dale Rogers, Ruth Loring, and Jim Johnson
Students in an architectural design class use the Need to Know Board to explore a problematic situation.