The contribution of case-based learning to adopting a multidimensional view in educational leadership students

Purpose Adopting a multidimensional view is a characteristic of systems thinking in school leadership, which involves recognizing that each component of the school system necessarily has more than one cause, result or solution. This study explores how case-based learning has contributed to the development of adopting a multidimensional view in educational leadership students. Design/methodology/approach The present study was qualitative in nature. Study participants were 32 graduate students from an Israeli college of education who participated in case-based learning held in a 14-session course. The data collected for this study included journal entries written by these students after each session. Overall, 318 journal entries were analyzed through a four-step process: sorting, coding, categorizing and theorizing. Findings Data analysis indicated three aspects of adopting a multidimensional view developed through case-based learning: acquiring a principal's perspective, recognizing other schools' perspectives and exposure to other individuals' perspectives. Originality/value This study joins other recent efforts to find ways to develop influential educational leaders, suggesting that case-based learning contributes to the development of adopting a multidimensional view in educational leadership students.