2008-2009 Grant Proposals

Mitch Glavin
"Art and Craft of Discussion Leadership"
Pedagogy Travel Grant


Project Description: I am applying for a CTL travel grant in order to fund my attendance and participation in a 1-day seminar to be hosted by Harvard Business School faculty that will focus on optimizing the use of the case study method for teaching in the classroom. The seminar, Art and Craft of Discussion Leadership, will be held at Bryant University (Smithfield, RI) on March 24, 2009.

The seminar will focus on the following topics:

  •  roles, responsibilities, and skills of the case discussion leader
  •  establishing and reshaping the learning contract
  •  questioning, listening, and responding: key skill requirements
  •  designing the teaching plan
  •  managing classroom dynamics
  •  exams and grading

Per the program description, "The seminar is structured around case discussions to allow attendees to experience the method in action and observe how the facilitator manages discussions. The program aims to equip new instructors with basic skills in leading case discussions as well as to elevate seasoned teachers to higher levels of proficiency."

Benefit: I have long believed case studies are an effective and valuable tool for helping students connect concepts to their application in real-world scenarios, and the potential challenges (intellectual, operational, and ethical) that inevitably arise. From my own experiences as a student, I found working on a case study was an assignment that via its specific focus helped me achieve a more integrated understanding of theories and concepts. Case studies by their design call upon students to develop responses (either individually or in groups), and so can also enable more effective classroom discussions.

I have utilized case studies as a teaching tool in my teaching at Stonehill for both HC334 (Comparative Health Systems) and HC300 (Quality Assessment Methods). While I believe these were useful exercises for the students, I am sure I did not exploit the full depth and richness of he lessons these cases offer. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn how to further develop my skills in this area. This would be of enormous benefit to both myself and my department. Case studies are an important teaching component for a number of courses in the Health Care Administration curriculum, and I could share the insights I gain from the seminar with my department.

In addition, I have in my own research co-authored two case studies, and I believe a greater appreciation of how to teach with case studies will also inform my future work in writing cases.

Community Outreach Plans: The Department of Health Care Administration holds periodic meetings, including one major curriculum review meeting each spring. I anticipate making a presentation on my seminar experience at one of these meetings.

In addition, an Academic Development Day session on using case studies more effectively might be of interest to the Stonehill faculty. No doubt there are faculty members in other departments using, or interested in using, case studies assignments in their courses. I would be happy to participate in hosting such a session.

Budget: Registration fee for 1-day seminar: $575.00 Round-trip travel by personal auto Boston, MA-Smithfield, RI (104 milles @ $0.55/mile) $57.20 Total: $632.20

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