CASE METHOD FOR TEACHING WATER-RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

The case-study method can enrich water-resources-management education. The status of graduate education in water-resources management is summarized, the use of case studies in business and public-administration education is described, and examples of case studies in water-resources management are given. Experience with using case studies at Colorado State University is described. The cases raise student interest levels, show how decision support systems influence decision processes, and give students a sense of participation in real-world political situations. Programs seeking to use case studies can increase experience-based problem-solving techniques and integrate material from relevant discipline areas. More and better case studies are needed. Experience in the case study method might be extended to infrastructure and environmental education.