CASUS provides high-quality web-based case studies in a user-friendly format. The well-structured user interface coupled with the didactic design provide for a pleasant and easy-to-understand learning environment.

The results from our field studies and the positive feedback we receive continue to encourage, strengthen, and reinforce the concept of our learning program and its user-friendliness.

The comprehensive CASUS functions (multimedia integration, varied task types, the unique E-teaching tool, for example) provide students with a maximum number of audio-visual elements: seeing, recognizing, showing, trying, listening, and communicating. These communicative and interactive possibilities facilitate comprehension and provide the best base for lasting learning success.

Direct interaction between student and teacher: The CASUS E-teaching module enables students and teachers to communicate directly addressing, if not eliminating, the voiced disadvantages associated with learning online. Utilizing the CASUS E-teaching module allows for direct information exchange between the student and teacher resulting in a reduced feeling of isolation often associated with online learning.

Communication between students: Depending on the didactic approach, CASUS permits the creation of different types of discussion forums intensifying communication and the exchange of information between students.

The Expert Reply Function and the Info Comment on the respective topic provide students with direct feedback at every stage of the case work resulting in efficient monitoring and documenting of learning progress. With each case providing immediate acknowledgment to each student throughout the case, students are motivated to learn and complete the case work.

Contrary to multi-stranded case study simulations, the linear navigation of CASUS provides a clear learning structure and avoids placing excessive demands on students reducing consequent negative impacts on learning motivation and achievements.

CASUS uses the didactic approach of „anchored instruction“ and „scaffolding“. The key feature of “anchored instruction” learning environments is a narrative anchor, which generates interest, focuses attention and enables students to identify, and define problems clearly. The “scaffolding” of CASUS works like a supporting scaffolding. The structure of the CASUS system and case instructions serve as support for subordinate targets, until the more complex learning target is achieved. Due to the linear action choices in CASUS, the user is able to completely focus on the actual target - the solution of the case. The user is not required to select between too many different problem-solving paths thus avoiding cognitive overload.

Our information reducing approach, contrary to the case study simulation in all probable problem-solving directions, is aimed at transferring knowledge in a particularly effective manner and at providing optimum transferability to other problems and real cases.

Universities:

• Before the beginning of a term: imparting a knowledge base
• In preparation for lectures
• During attendance lectures: answering questions and contributing to the discussion
• After a lecture: knowledge deepening, exercises, projection of learning contents to other problems
• In communicative learning: group work, tutorial learning
• For learning through teaching

Companies:

• Seminars / courses / training (e.g. product, customer service, apprentices)
• General knowledge management

CASUS can be deployed in a simple and trouble-free manner. The user only requires a computer (or mobile device) with a common HTML-browser and Internet access in order to be able to use CASUS fully. CASUS works across different platforms with almost all common operating systems and versions. There are no particular hardware or system requirements nor is an installation required.

Currently, CASUS distributes the largest data pool of case studies in the medical sector (almost 1,500 case examples in different languages and subject areas) allowing you to enhance your course offerings by accessing what we have. An overview of the available cases is available in the CASUS Search Base.