Background

What is an iCase?

iCases give students the opportunity to interact with experimental data in a realistic context. With limited time and money, students must decide what tests are needed to resolve a complex situation typical in biomedical sciences. Research is needed before students can begin the case, background information and references are provided. A simple quiz is used to show that they are ready to proceed to the the case itself.

The Influenza Outbreak iCase was the first iCase we developed to provide a PBL replacement for a laboratory practical class. This case expects a substantial amount of work typically 6+ hours. There are a growing collection of cases: Blood Typing, Emily Adams and Caroline Rodgers (year 5 students) presented a poster at AMEE (2009) on their iCase managing chronic diseases.

iCases for teachers

Student activity is recorded in an underlying database. Quizzes are marked automatically and students cannot progress to the main activity until they have successfully answered the 8 pre-test questions and another question to check students haven't got the correct answer accidentally before they can write their report. Written reports are submitted on-line, and marked manually using a marking scheme (link). Feedback is also collected via the database. We are currently revising and updating Influenza Outbreak as this topic changes rapidly and in response to initial feedback. Students were very positive about their i-case experience.

Influenza Outbreak

The scenario.

You are employed at a public health laboratory. There has been an outbreak of influenza at a local school. The minister needs to be briefed in time for his radio interview in three days time. You have been sent a series of internal memos, have a limited budget and must work against the clock to select the samples and tests needed to identify the strain of influenza. To tackle the problem effectively, you need to do background research - handouts and web links are provided to get you started. You will need to show that you are competent to start the analysis by getting the preliminary quiz right!

iCases keeps a track of your activity and records responses so that you are not expected to complete this activity in a single session. You will return automatically to where you left the case, rather than having to start over each time.

Take a walkthrough

Try the demo

This is a temporary demo version which does not require login. It will not store your responses and may well break. A component of this project is developing the software to allow external users.

 Read why Professor James decided to develop iCases?

This project is supported by HEA Bioscience OER project