Distance Learning Course Development: Inside and Outside of Legal Writing

1. Distance Learning Course Development: Inside and Outside of Legal Writing Ken Swift Hamline Law School kswift@hamline.edu

2. 1. Distance learning is here to stay • In the fall semester 2012 the number of students enrolled in at least one distance education course was: 25% of undergrads 30% of graduate students U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics

3. 1. Distance learning is here to stay

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5. ABA Rules • No distance-learning until 28 credits • Up to 1/3 of a course may be distance-learning and the course is not considered distance-learning • 12 credits per career • 4 credits per semester • 15 per career • No limit per semester

6. “Whether you think it’s a good idea or you don’t, it’s reality,” Broderick says. “Even I live on an iPad. So the world is moving on. And American legal education and American higher education needs to the accept that and adapt.” New Hampshire School of Law Dean John Broderick 5/6/14, NHPR

7. Distance Learning does NOT equal a MOOC Massive Open Online Course

8. 2. Course Selection Synchronous v. Asynchronous

9. 3. Course Selection – II Which course should I develop? Macro Considerations: Rule Based - (PR, Evidence) “Survey” – (Employment Law, IP) Easy to develop discussion topics Demand Seminar Free flow discussion Nuanced case law analysis

10. 3. Course Selection – II Which course should I develop? Micro Considerations: Use a class you have previously taught • How much to cover • Notes and PowerPoints • Questions Enjoy the material? Can a Legal Writing course be a good online course selection?

11. 4. Organization is Key Explicitly tell your students: • What to do • When to do it • Which order to do it in Consistency • Due Dates • Structure

13. 5. Organization – II • Structure your course based upon what works in your brick-and-mortar classroom • Lecture? • Questions – Socratic or otherwise? • Small group discussions or projects?

14. Lectures and Presentations • Framing issues and topics • Presenting primary principles • Structure and order Weekly intro 3-5 minutes Use • Videos • Audio recording play on ipod, car Key Principle: Keep the presentations short - 10-15 minutes each

15. Audio Tools • Recording Program Audacity – Free Download • Microphone • Create Mp3 files

16. Videos Tools: • Video production software • Camtasia Studio • Capture Tools: pictures and screen captures • Microphone • Camera • Time

17. Videos • Not face time • Use: • PowerPoint slides • Photos • Charts & Graphs • Screen Captures • Intro/Exit Music 3. Optional: Video hosting site - Screencast

18. 6. Questions and Exercises • If created correctly provides many advantages over brick and mortar • Students must get interactive with all material every week • Everyone must answer - no hiding, no passing

20. Questions and Assessments 1. Two types: A. Show understanding of material • Multiple choice, multiple answer, etc. B. Show that they can apply principles: • In EL - Short answer, skills exercises (interrog., statute draft), longerIn LRW - Exercises, individual, group 2. Use:Website CALI

21. 7. Utilize Community • Required by ABA • Want and need interaction • Group work: • In Employment Law: • Discussions -small groups, rules • In LRW: • Exercises • Assignments • One required face to face meeting

22. 8. Communication • Instructor initiated • Three egular R R R eminders esponsiveness

23. 9. Career A. Not going away • Expansion of credits/term opens possibilities • Allow students to be “away” B. Personal Benefits: • Extra Income • Job Security • Advancement

24. 10. Have Fun • Try a unit -1/3 Rule • If you enjoy the process try another or a whole class

25. Distance Learning Course Development: Inside and Outside of Legal Writing Ken Swift Hamline Law School kswift@hamline.edu