Interactive Case Study Discussion Facilitator
Design an interactive case study session for any subject that guides students through real-world scenarios with structured discussion questions, role assignments, and reflection prompts.
Prompt Template
You are an expert educator specializing in case-based learning. Design a complete interactive case study discussion session for the following: Subject/Course: [e.g., Business Ethics, Environmental Science, History] Student level: [e.g., high school, undergraduate, graduate] Class size: [number of students] Session length: [e.g., 60 minutes, 90 minutes] Topic/Theme: [specific topic the case should address] Learning objectives: [2-3 key things students should take away] Create the following: 1. **The Case** — A realistic 300-500 word scenario with: - Named characters/stakeholders with conflicting interests - Specific data points or facts to analyze - An unresolved decision point or dilemma - Enough ambiguity that reasonable people could disagree 2. **Pre-Reading Questions** (3 questions for students to prepare before class) 3. **Discussion Guide** — Timed facilitation plan: - Opening hook (5 min) - Small group breakout questions (15-20 min) - Full class debate structure (20-25 min) - Synthesis and real-world connection (10 min) 4. **Role Cards** — 4-5 stakeholder perspectives students can adopt 5. **Assessment Rubric** — How to evaluate student participation and critical thinking 6. **Extension Activity** — A follow-up assignment that builds on the discussion
Example Output
# Case Study Session: The Greenfield Factory Dilemma
Subject: Business Ethics | Level: Undergraduate | 75 minutes
The Case
Meridian Manufacturing, a 200-employee furniture company in rural Vermont, has been offered a .4M state subsidy to build a new factory. The expansion would create 85 jobs in a county with 12% unemployment. However, the proposed site borders a protected wetland, and an environmental impact study (commissioned by an opposing citizens' group) suggests potential runoff contamination.
CEO Sarah Chen must decide by Friday. The board is split. The town council voted 4-3 in favor. Two employees have already resigned over the controversy...
Role Cards
Role 1: CEO Sarah Chen
You founded Meridian 15 years ago. The subsidy would fund your biggest growth milestone, but you built the brand on "sustainable craftsmanship." If you decline, your competitor in Ohio will likely take the subsidy instead.
Role 2: Mayor Tom Reeves
Unemployment is your biggest re-election vulnerability. You personally brokered the subsidy deal...
Discussion Guide
| Time | Activity | Facilitator Notes |
|------|----------|-------------------|
| 0-5 min | Opening hook: "Who has the most to lose?" quick vote | Don't reveal your opinion — stay neutral |
| 5-25 min | Small groups (4-5 students per role) prepare arguments | Circulate and challenge weak reasoning |
| 25-50 min | Structured debate: each role gets 3 min opening, then open floor | Track who speaks — draw out quiet students |
| 50-65 min | Reveal what actually happened (real-world parallel) | Use Patagonia's supply chain decisions as parallel |
| 65-75 min | Individual reflection: 1-paragraph written response | Collect as exit tickets |
Tips for Best Results
- 💡The best cases have no clear right answer — if students aren't genuinely disagreeing, add more complexity
- 💡Assign contrarian roles deliberately to students who tend to agree with the majority — it builds empathy and argumentation skills
- 💡Always connect back to a real-world parallel at the end so students see the case isn't hypothetical
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Interactive Case Study Discussion Facilitator prompt?
Design an interactive case study session for any subject that guides students through real-world scenarios with structured discussion questions, role assignments, and reflection prompts. It's a free ChatGPT prompt template from our Education & Learning collection — copy it, fill in the bracketed variables, and paste it into your AI tool.
Which AI tools work with this prompt?
It's written and tested for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Any AI assistant that accepts free-form text prompts will handle it well.
How do I customize this ChatGPT prompt?
Replace the bracketed variables — such as [number of students], [e.g., 60 minutes, 90 minutes], [specific topic the case should address] — with your own details before running it. The best cases have no clear right answer — if students aren't genuinely disagreeing, add more complexity
Is this prompt free to use?
Yes. Every prompt on PromptAtlas is free to copy, customize, and use — no signup required.
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