Assessing the effect of case-based teaching compared to lecture-based teaching on students' knowledge and perceptions in a senior undergraduate dairy cattle management course

Animal science students need to apply knowledge acquired during their degree program to real-life scenarios in future careers. Little to no research exists evaluating the effects of case-based (CB; material presented as a case study) and lecture-based (LB; material presented as a lecture) teaching in animal science in higher education. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of CB and LB teaching methods on student performance and to assess students' attitudes towards CB and LB teaching methods in a senior dairy cattle management course. A cross-over study design was conducted over two course modules (1='calf health' and 2='lameness') with a washout period of two weeks. Students (n=25) were randomly assigned to CB or to LB in module 1 and received the other method in module 2. Students completed a pre- and post-quiz in each module that consisted of 10 multiple choice questions and 3 short-answer questions. Three separate linear mixed regression models were used to assess the effect of teaching method (CB or LB; predictor) on three different continuous outcomes for student performance: change (post-score - pre-score) in short answer quiz scores, change in multiple choice quiz scores, and the change in total quiz scores. Students completed an attitude assessment after each module that consisted of 8 Likert-scale statements and 2 free-response questions. Data were de-identified and two researchers blinded to students' CB or LB status analyzed free responses to identify themes. A logistic regression, which controlled for module and included student as a repeated measure, was used to determine if the proportion of students that agreed (outcome: yes/no) with each Likert-scale statement was different between CB and LB. There was a tendency for CB teaching methods to improve change in multiple choice quiz scores (P = 0.06). The change in total quiz scores and the change in short answer quiz scores did not differ between CB and LB groups (P >= 0.1). For the survey statements I enjoyed the teaching method used in this module and I wish this teaching method was utilized in more of my classes, more students in LB agreed than in CB (P < 0.05). The themes preference, perceived benefits, and perceived drawbacks were mentioned in 80%, 44%, and 28% of CB comments, and in 84%, 40%, and 18% of LB comments, respectively and suggest students enjoy case studies but prefer to receive information via lecture first.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of case-based (CB) and lecture-based (LB) teaching methods on student performance and attitudes in animal science education. The results showed that CB teaching methods had a tendency to improve multiple choice quiz scores, while there were no significant differences in total quiz scores and short answer quiz scores between CB and LB groups. Students expressed higher satisfaction with LB teaching methods but also showed a preference for using case studies to acquire information.