virtual conferences and e-learning emerging technologies workshop national judicial institute sept....

Virtual Conferences andE-learning

Emerging Technologies WorkshopNational Judicial Institute

Sept. 23-24, 2010

Art Cockfield, Queen’s Faculty of Lawart.cockfield@queensu.ca

Overview

• What is a virtual conference?

• (tiny bit of substantive law on law and technology theory)

• Some downsides of virtual conferences

• Some upsides of virtual conferences

What is it??

• A virtual conference is a conference in an online environment where participants appear as ‘avatars’

Not ‘Avatar’, the movie

The virtual world of Second Life

Human Autonomy, Law and Technology Virtual Conference, March 10, 2010

In honour of late Professor EmeritusHugh Lawford, founder of QuickLaw (1933-2009)

Virtual conference: Investigate potential for law and technology theories

Two stage analytic framework: (1) in specific issue before court or policy maker, does technological change subvert traditional interests protected by law; and (2) if yes, then pursue innovative legal solutions that are less deferential to precedent (Cockfield, Towards a Law and Technology Theory, Man. L J., 2004)

How does technology affect interests protected by law?

Framework informed by ‘synthetic’ theory of law and technology that combines instrumental and substantive theories of technology (Cockfield and Pridmore, A Synthetic Theory of Law, Minn. J. Science and Tech., 2007)

Some downsides …

• Usage of New Technologies

- Audio (used Skype)

- Visual (design avatars); no video yet

- Security issues

Some hurdles (cont.)

• It ain’t World of Warcraft

Busy lawyers and busy judges

The upside!

• Interactive (hence will fulfill Law Society CLE requirements)

Upsides (cont.)

• Fun!

Upsides (cont.)

• Broad participation from speakers, commentators international participants, members of public, irate bloggers

Upsides (cont.)

• Cost savings (especially where no access to funding for travel and accommodations)

• Accessibility• Can be ‘attended’ from home office (think

pajamas and housecoat)

Concluding thoughts (1)

• Currently need significant tech support

Concluding thoughts (2)

• Avatars and other digital personalities increasingly linked to social networking

Concluding thoughts (3)

• Virtual conferencing likely standardized technology in near future

Concluding thoughts (4)

• See you in the virtual world!