1. Virtual Study Circles Building Models for Case-based, Online Learning iCommons Working Group 5 February 2002 David Eddy Spicer KSG Case Program Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

2. NPS-401 Philanthropy: Policy & Practices Christine Letts, Assoc. Dir.,Hauser Center & Peter Frumkin,Ass’t. Prof., KSG, –Monday & Wednesday, 90 minutes –One or more cases per class & readings (40 cases/24 sessions) –Lectures, case discussions, guest speakers –Assessment: Participation (40%), Mid-term paper (20%), Final paper (40%) The Course Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

3. The Course Students I was a lawyer, practicing in the private, government, and non-profit sectors, over the course of a twenty year career. I recruited and trained volunteers, hired, trained, and supervised five staff members who … ensured that the program would continue after I left it for KSG. (It did. About 400 volunteers and students still participate.) In New Zealand I was involved in indigenous peoples’ issues ranging from the establishment of new tribal structures to negotiating with the government to resolve historical grievances. For the last sixteen years, I’ve been doing journalism in [South America] and teaching reporting, but also working with international NGOs documenting attacks against Freedom of Expression Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

4. Online case discussion as “seed crystal” Extend and deepen discussion at crucial points during the semester (student-to- student) Enrich discussion with practitioner perspectives by tapping Hauser Center networks (student-to-practitioner) The Concept Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

5. The Plan VSC I: Foundation Management and Decision Making - Mar. 5th VSC II: International Philanthropy - Apr. 2nd VSC III: Evaluating Philanthropic Initiatives - Apr. 23rd VSC Participants Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

6. How do we use the structure to guide discussion? –Scheduled Asynchronous (Concord Consortium) Sequence of Questions Articulated Roles –Reporter –Filter –Surveyor –Reflections The Key Question Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

7. International Philanthropy VSC II: Assignment VSC II: Discussion VSC II Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

8. “Computational” literacy Syncopated Asynchronous –“traditional” course rhythm –Advisors’ work & life schedules –VSC rhythm Open vs. bounded Entry and exit points Puzzles Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

9. VSC: one tool in a toolkit of online case teaching Integrate with KSG course pages Refining assessment Beyond the Course Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

10. Virtual Study Circles Building Models for Case-based, Online Learning iCommons 5 February 2002 David Eddy Spicer KSG Case Program http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/case/vsc/ Copyright © 2001 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College