Peter F Scott
School of Law & Social Science
Glasgow Caledonian University
Teaching & Learning
• Promote Deep Learning
• Innovate
• Enthuse
• Involve students
• Develop new assessment strategies
• Contextualise
• Demonstrate Workplace Relevance
Challenge or Opportunity?
• “Short Fat Modules”• Under resourced• Exponential Growth in
Administration• Stringent Quality
Regime• Underpaid• Overworked• Tired and Weary
Learning Mechanisms
• Lectures • Seminars• Field trips• Directed Study• C.A.L.• “Private Study”• Exam revision• Social Activity
• Must inspire?• Students must prepare!• Where to?• Needs self discipline• Expensive to develop• Must be interested!• Cramming?????• Needs motivation
Assessment Options
• End testing• Essays• Reports• Presentations• Poster Presentations• Multiple choice• Electronic marking• Peer Group
Assessments
• Tests learning to date• Workplace relevant?• Tied to case studies• Time consuming?• Innovative but…?• Tests learning to date• Tests learning to date• Innovative but…..?
Case in Point
• Environmental Issues• Non lawyers• Complex law• No depth of
underpinning• Problem Based
Learning?• CONTEXTUALISE!
“Graduateness”
• Knowledge of subject• Ability to apply
knowledge• Communication Skills• Research Skills• Analytical• WORKPLACE
RELEVANT
Project must be integral to Learning
Initially students were given individual projects but students now
self select a topic
Self Selection?
• Topic must encompass specific criteria
• i.e. Examine Impact on Land Air & Water
• AND examine the issue from the perspectives of UK, EU & International Law
Assessment
• NO end testing• Original and
independent research• Ability to raise
awareness• Report Writing Skills• Academic Research
Skills• DEEP LEARNING
METHODOLOGY
• Presentation to demonstrate ability to raise awareness
• Report to demonstrate ability to write succinct but accurate overview
• Micro analysis of one aspect to demonstrate research capability
Raise Awareness
• Select one of three jurisdictions
• Ensure that holistic view is taken of environmental impact
• Deliver a well sourced & informative presentation
“Awareness Mechanism”
• Poster Presentation• Exhibition format• Expert Judging Panel• Each presenter must
speak to his/her poster• HIGHLY SPECIFIC
MARKING CRITERIA
“Reportage” Mechanism
• Structured Report on second of the three Jurisdictions
• Clear Guidelines on format
• Must be holistic overview
• Concise and clear• NO WORD COUNT
Micro-Analysis
• Deals with one aspect of remaining Jurisdiction
• Exhaustive and detailed treatment
• Benchmark to be “publishable standard”
Bottom Line?
• Students are in control of their learning
• Students are motivated• Lectures underpin
basic principles but..• PROMOTES DEEP
LEARNING
TIPS?
• Build in workshops to discuss progress
• Build in workshops on personal transferable skills
• Require “diagnostic” abstracts
• Give constructive feedback
Alternative Assessment Mechanisms
• “Live Environment”• Power point • Live presentations• Peer Group
Assessment• Others?
• Single topic project• Resource dependent• Class Time consuming• Posters lend
themselves to this• Yes but beware that
large classes create their own logistical problems
LIVE PROJECTS
• What are they?• What do they achieve?• What value have they?• Who wants them?• Why adopt them?• Where do you find
them?
Projects?
• Ideally self selected at Honours Level
• Shopping Malls• Breweries• Factories• Theatres • Building Sites• National Trust
Properties
Relevance?
• Planning Law• Construction Law• Health & Safety Law• Employment Law• Environmental Law• Commercial Law• Clinical Legal Skills• “People Skills”
The Lecturer
• Informed by student input• Education burden is
shared• Projects encourage
dialogue• An involved student is a
good student• Projects Generate Interest• Innovation is an
imperative • Quality Benchmark!
The Student
• Responsible for own learning
• Encourages research• Hands on skills• Promotes Deep Learning• Promotes sense of
achievement• Can even be enjoyable• Links with potential
employers
SO?
• Explore new fields• Demonstrate relevance• Link up with Practice• Network• Make your own job
and that of the students more interesting