Use of a case study to improve learning outcomes of construction engineering students

This paper investigates the use of a case study to improve students' learning outcomes in construction engineering. The improvements were measured using the Laboratory for Innovative Technology and Engineering (LITEE) survey instrument. Five constructs were used to assess students' learning outcomes: higher-order cognitive domain of learning, self-efficacy, ease of learning, teamworking, and communication skills. Using a sample of 15 students, we collected both quantitative data (survey questions) and qualitative data (open-ended questions) on learning outcomes and students' perceptions of the effectiveness of using a case study. The results showed that working with a real case study significantly improved students' higher-order cognitive domain of learning. Our findings suggest that case studies can be used as an effective tool to improve students' learning in the classroom.