Dates: May 31-June 3,2023
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
This summer, the University of South Carolina College of Social Work will host the
fifth annual Case Method Teaching Institute. It provides three full days of intensive, experiential
learning about discussion leadership for instructors, from novice to seasoned. Space is limited to maximize the learning
experience. The deadline for early bird registration (with reduced rates) is April 22, 2023. The final deadline for registration is May 10, 2023. Register now to reserve your space.
Are questions—in classrooms and in professional practice—becoming more valuable than answers?
In A More Beautiful Question, Warren Berger (2014) asserts, “In a time when so much of what we know is subject to revision or obsolescence, the comfortable expert must go back to being a restless learner. . . The problem is not just rapid change—it’s also the sheer volume of information rushing at us from all directions and many sources."
How do we prepare social work students for such environments?
Using actual cases drawn from university classrooms and social work practice, this institute for social work educators will tackle fundamental questions:
- How do questions stimulate learning?
- More specifically, how can questions open up thinking and at the same time direct and focus it?
- How can we better use questions in the classroom?
- How can we use questions to challenge and inspire students?
- What are characteristics of good questions?
- How can we develop better questions?
- How can we develop our questioning skills?
Join us for provocative, in-depth discussions that will inform, equip, and rejuvenate your teaching!
Institute Agenda
Over three full days, institute participants will learn questioning techniques to facilitate effective case discussions, including how to start, provoke, redirect, and deepen discussions. Institute sessions will include didactic information, instructor-led case discussions, a discussion planning session, and participant-led case discussions. Conference notebooks will provide background readings, decision cases, handouts, and supplemental resources.
Wednesday, May 31
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7-8:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
Thursday, June 1
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Included |
| 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Introduction to Case Method; Case Discussion |
| 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Lunch Included |
| 1:30-5:30 p.m. | Case Discussion; Discussion Planning Session |
| 7-8:30 p.m. | Dinner Included |
Friday, June 2
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Included |
| 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Participant-led Case Discussions and Debriefing |
| 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Lunch Included |
| 1:30-5:30 p.m. | Participant-led Case Discussions and Debriefing |
| 7-8:30 p.m. | Dinner on Your Own |
Saturday, June 3
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Included |
| 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Case Discussion |
| 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Lunch Included |
| 1:30-5:30 p.m. | Student Assessment; Course Development; Teaching Resources |
| 7-8:30 p.m. | Dinner on Your Own |
The registration fee includes welcome reception, lunch, morning and afternoon breaks, and all training materials.
- Early Bird Rate until April 22, 2023: $540
- Regular Rate untilMay 10, 2023: $630*
* Please call for special pricing for multiple participants from the same university.
This training will be held at the Hyatt Place in downtown Columbia, S.C., in the heart of the Vista. Special room rates are $149 per night, and include hot breakfast, wi-fi, and parking.
Guests can book their reservations by either:
- Accessing the group discount page, enter arrival and departure dates, and book reservations, OR
- Call reservations at (888) 492-8847 and provide the group code, G-SCSW, to the reservations agent when booking.
Reservations must be made byJune 1, 2023.
Located near the banks of the Congaree River, the Vista’s energetic and eclectic vibe flows freely. Once a warehouse district, the Vista today is one of Columbia’s most vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment districts.
Want to extend your stay? Learn more about Columbia's events and activities.
About two hours from Columbia by car, the city of Charleston is the top-rated tourist destination in the United States.
If you have questions about the Case Method Teaching Institute or registration, please email De Onna Greenwood at GREENWDL@mailbox.sc.edu or call 803-777-5292.
What have previous participants said?
“This was a comprehensive, skills-focused introduction to case method teaching. The inductive method used (practicing case discussions together then debriefing about what happened and how) was very effective. I not only gained a concrete understanding of important skills for case teaching, I also practiced and developed those skills. I leave this seminar very excited about the potential of the case method and also confident that I can continue developing my ability with the method on my own. I would recommend this course to anyone who is new to teaching with decision cases, or who has some experience (like I did) but wants to take it to the next level.”
“This was an outstanding introduction and immersion into the decision case methodology for classroom instruction and curriculum design. I came away with knowledge, skills, ideas, and resources for my own teaching as well as curriculum enhancement. Highly recommended for those who teach as well as those who design and innovate social work curriculum.”
“This training was amazing! It was very well planned, organized and facilitated. It provided a wonderful introduction and overview of case methods and really guided my thinking around how this could be used in my program. I left feeling confident enough in the knowledge and skills learned to move forward in beginning to introduce cases to my students. I am excited about learning more and sharing what I’ve learned with colleagues. Job well done!”
“UofSC Case Method training offers a creative, in depth way to bring real world situation cases into the classroom. Training teaches Professors how to use the case method model across social work courses to encourage critical thinking, in depth analysis of issues, exchange perspectives and defend their reasoning and thought process. Excellent training!"
“An extraordinary opportunity for learning the method in order to expand one’s pedagogical interventions!”