Download - Trials and tribulations
Trials and tribulations
Trying new tools to teach law
What is law?
What I thought Learning law is finding out about a system:
stated principles? overall structure?
working rules?adaptability?
What I thought Tools at graduation:
structure principles
sourcesways to argue
Existing methodsLaw school was a process of learning and memorising what ‘is’ – not dreaming of what could be, not arguing for what should be. Our lived experiences were irrelevant to our learning. Law hovered in a strange vacuum, outside of society, culture, politics, and even history.
Breaking the frozen sea – ANU Law School Reform 2011
Existing methods
We discovered that the ‘law’ was a series of rules, handed down by old men on the bench to lawyers who neutrally applied it.
Breaking the frozen sea – ANU Law School Reform 2011
IRAN, IRAQ & IRAC
I is for issuesR is for ruleA is for applicationC is for conclusion
Myth of common lawMirrors ‘evolution’ – in natural world
• Organic • Best fit• Changes gradually
over time
‘Punctuated equilibrium’ in human society
• Giant steps• Power, money,
ideology, belief, emotion, ignorance
And so…
C is for ‘carbolic’R is for ‘rylands’A is for ‘a snail’P is for ‘Pinochet’
And n…
is for ‘Narrative’how we absorb and interpret the story
of the law
ITALL 2010 – winter term
Criminal law and procedureTherapeutic jurisprudence
Idea #1
Puppets!
Encourage discussion with engagement, empathy and experimentation
Practicalities
Sock?Marionette?
Papier mache?Stencil cut?
Software
Animated characters
Xtranormal
Xtranormal
AmericanVoice speed too fastLimited characters
Other ideas
Presentation
SpicynodesPrezi
Presentation tools
Spicynodes is linearPrezi can induce nausea
Later units
EvidenceYoung people and crime
Criminology Cybercrime
AggregationSpicynodes = breadth of the law
Xtranormal = explanationPrezi = virtual mind map
News feedTED talksYoutube
Discussion forum
Aggregation
Writing on wallsModelling real world products
Using documentariesDrawing on news stories each week
Card games
Assessment • Reflective journal• Scaffolded tasks mirroring 6 levels of
learning – gain knowledge, comprehend, apply, analyse, synthesise, evaluate
• Draft real-world products• Participation in a blend of on-line and
face to face modes
Caution
When things go wrong