Evaluation of participation in the case method: elements to consider for its incorporation in digital environments

Abstract

The transformation of learning assessment processes has become critical for educational institutions that apply the case method, according to international accrediting agencies. With the progressive inclusion of virtual or hybrid environments for this methodology, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, and the expectations of Education in the fourth industrial revolution, it is relevant to explore the evaluation complexities associated with the case method. A multiple case study was conducted to identify the main problematic aspects of evaluation with this methodology. 58 sessions were documented with 2,596 students from 4 top management programs and 36 professors of different nationalities. The results highlight that student participation in plenary sessions is a decisive factor for evaluation, but it is affected by how the professor gives the floor, generally in a rather heterogeneous way, generating inequitable opportunities. The transformation of evaluation in the case method is critical given the inclusion of virtual environments. A study identified that the unequal participation of students, due to how the floor is given, affects equitable opportunities in evaluation.