Cracking the Case: A Task-Based Investigation of a Group Case-Study Project at a Business School

Juliet Thondhlana University of Nottingham ; Ann F.V. Smith

Abstract

Research has noted an increase in the use of assessed group projects across disciplines in institutions of higher learning. Consequently, this study investigates the prompt for an assessed group case-study project in a sophomore business module in order to provide lecturers with tools and techniques for probing a prompt document. The authors use a task-analysis framework developed for task-based language teaching to examine the project’s requirements and chain of integrated tasks. The study shows that the project prompt was dense and complicated and the component tasks were highly interactive and complex. Further, the study reveals that group case-study projects can play an important role in developing the team skills needed for future real-life projects.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2013-01-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651912458922
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

References (48)

  1. 10.3200/JOEB.79.4.213-216
  2. AWL Highlighter. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/∼alzsh3/acvocab/awlhighlighter.htm
  3. 10.1017/S0272263100007816
  4. 10.1007/s11145-007-9107-5
  5. Brindley G. (1987). Factors affecting task difficulty. In Nunan D. (Ed.), Guidelines for the development of c…
Show all 48 →
  1. Teaching talk
  2. Researching pedagogical tasks: Second language learning, teaching and testing
  3. Language learning tasks
  4. 10.1177/1052562905284872
  5. Second language reading research and instruction
  6. Cobb T. (n.d.). The Compleat lexical Tutor—Concordance & vocabprofile. Retrieved from http://www.lextutor.ca/
  7. 10.2307/2649282
  8. 10.2307/3587951
  9. 10.1017/CBO9781139524766.020
  10. Task classification: A cross-disciplinary review
  11. 10.1007/s10734-009-9216-y
  12. Talking to learn
  13. Singular texts/plural authors: Perspectives on collaborative writing
  14. Task-based language learning and teaching
  15. Asian EFL Journal
  16. 10.1016/j.esp.2011.01.001
  17. Studies in SLA
  18. Investigating tasks in formal second language learning
  19. 10.3200/JOEB.82.1.11-19
  20. Hunt K. W. (1970). Syntactic maturity in school children and adults. Monographs of the Society for Research i…
  21. Intel. (2007). White paper eco-technology innovation: Advancing global sustainability through technology: Int…
  22. 10.1016/j.esp.2003.05.001
  23. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching (IRAL)
  24. University of Hawaii Working Papers in ESL
  25. 10.2307/3587368
  26. 10.1177/0021943603259363
  27. Collaborative language learning and teaching
  28. Morton-Holmes I. (2009). Interview tests and exercises: Assessment centers. Retrieved July 8, 2011, from http…
  29. Pamlin D., Szomolányi K. (2006). Saving the climate @ the speed of light: First roadmap for reduced CO2 emiss…
  30. Input in second language acquisition
  31. Second language pedagogy
  32. 10.1093/applin/22.1.27
  33. RELC Journal
  34. Vocabulary in language teaching
  35. Shepperd M. (2011). Group project work from the outset: An in-depth teaching experience report. In 24th IEEE …
  36. A cognitive approach to language learning
  37. 10.1017/S026144480200188X
  38. TESOL classroom practice series
  39. 10.1080/03075070802211430
  40. Needs analysis project: Phase 1 report
  41. 10.1017/CBO9780511667282
  42. Victoria University of Wellington, UTDC. (2004). Group work and group assessment. Retrieved from www.vuw.ac.nz
  43. Doing task-based teaching