Dr Walter Wehrmeyer (winner of Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award 2011) discusses how he used case-based group work with 60 chemical engineer students in order to establish a powerful learning experience. By dividing the lecture time into three parts, one hour focussing on discussing theory of corporate sustainability, one hour of intensive group work based upon a realistic case or problem on sustainable development, and one hour of plenary discussions in class, Dr Wehrmeyer provides a rich and diverse classroom experience. By addressing both theoretical notions of corporate sustainability with actual implementation of cases, students learn to apply their newly acquired knowledge in authentic cases.

In addition, an innovative assessment strategy is implemented to provide weekly feedback to students and align the demands of the module with the needs of students. That is, at the end of each session, students write down what they have learned, which is assessed and graded. Students receive immediate and elaborate feedback. As a result, students are engaged and motivated, and students are attending all sessions. Furthermore, the teacher is able to fine-tune his teaching based upon the comments, discussions and (mis)conceptions in class.