Turn a PDF Case Study into an Interactive Simulation

Turn a PDF Case Study into an Interactive Simulation | LiveCase blog

An existing case study contains the raw material for an interactive activity: a situation, stakeholders, evidence, and a decision.

Start by deciding what learners should practice. Then use AI-assisted authoring to draft a case and review it against that objective.

Here is a workflow for adapting teaching materials with LiveCase. For more design ideas, browse the LiveCase blog.

Decide what interaction adds

A PDF can support reading and discussion. An interactive case can add staged decisions, questions, and character conversations.

Consider three design questions:

What must the learner decide? Choose a consequential recommendation rather than adding choices for their own sake.

What feedback is useful? Define the criteria and debrief questions that help learners examine their reasoning.

How will understanding be assessed? Ask for explanations and state permitted AI uses.

The AI co-creation shortcut

LiveCase offers three pathways to build a simulation. You can start from scratch: full control, high effort. You can hand the whole project to the Studio Services team for a white-glove build. But the recommended route for most instructors is Pathway 2: Co-Create with AI.

Use your case materials to brief the AI Case Authoring Studio. Review the generated narrative, characters, questions, and branching paths before using the case.

LiveCase combines multimedia and questions within a case and supports AI character conversations. Authors can configure AI grading for written answers and character conversations.

From source material to reviewed case

Allow time for drafting, review, and testing. There is no universal completion time.

Step 1: Prepare the source material. Select the case facts and teaching objective. Use materials you have permission to adapt.

Step 2: Generate a draft. Describe the learner roles, scenario, decisions, and evidence. Inspect the resulting structure rather than assuming every source detail was interpreted correctly.

Step 3: Review and customise. Correct facts, revise dialogue, author the branching paths, and configure assessment criteria. Use time pressure only when it serves the lesson.

Step 4: Confirm delivery. LiveCase supports Canvas LTI, Blackboard LTI, and partner LTI. Check the course setup and learner access before assigning the activity.

Step 5: Review and debrief. Examine learner answers and conversations against your criteria. AI grading does not flag outsourced thinking or establish authorship.

What your students actually experience

Learners encounter scenario content, questions, and characters. The developments and branching paths depend on what the author has designed.

For example, a learner might negotiate a vendor contract while considering a budget constraint, then explain the trade-off. This is an illustrative design, not a claim about a particular catalogue case.

Use discussion to ask learners to defend the evidence behind their recommendation. They may still use AI, so make the rules clear.

Configured AI grading can assess written answers and character conversations against the author's criteria. Review the responses and feedback before drawing conclusions.

From classroom to revenue

If you want wider distribution, discuss the publishing process and available channels with LiveCase.

Review acceptance requirements and royalty terms before planning a commercial release. Classroom validation does not guarantee publication or income.

Confirm the responsibilities for content review, delivery, and distribution as part of that process.

Start in the AI Case Authoring Studio, browse the case catalogue, or discuss a supported build with Studio Services.

FAQ

How long does it take to build an AI simulation from a PDF?

Time depends on the source material, case complexity, and review required. Include time to check facts, branching paths, criteria, and learner access.

Do I need coding skills to create a simulation?

LiveCase provides a self-service authoring route using AI assistance. The instructor still reviews and refines the case.

Can I use my existing case study PDFs?

Existing case studies can provide source material. Confirm permission to adapt them, prepare readable content, and check the generated result for errors or omissions.

How does AI grading work for qualitative answers?

Authors configure criteria for written answers and character conversations. Test the grading against representative responses and retain instructor review.