learning law
DESCRIPTION
Learning Law. Orientation: August 16, 2006. 5. Professional expertise. 4. Prescriptive vs. Exploratory. 3. Limited context vs. Unlimited context. 2. Hearing vs. Understanding. 1. Recognition vs. Recall. Metacognition: James Flavell. The process of ‘thinking about thinking’ - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Learning Law
Orientation:August 16, 2006
5. SynthesisJudgment
4. ProblemSolving
3. Spotting Issues
2. Understanding
1. Knowledge1. Recognition vs. Recall
2. Hearing vs. Understanding
3. Limited context vs. Unlimited context
4. Prescriptive vs. Exploratory
5. Professional expertise
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Metacognition: James Flavell
The process of ‘thinking about thinking’ Metacognitive knowledge
Person variables Awareness of one’s own ways of thinking Understanding that others may think differently
Task variables Self-questioning about ways information influences
and constrains your own responses Strategy variables
Approaches for meeting goals Cognitive – direct purpose for accomplishing an outcome Metacognitive – a strategy to determine which cognitive
strategy is most appropriate for meeting a goal
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Cognitive Theory: Piaget
Functions (Same for everyone)
Adaptation Assimilation Accommodation
Organization
Schemata[Knowledge cluster]
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
General estimates from research on attention indicate that people remember from 1/3-1/5 of lecture material.
To increase attention: Make it personal. Attend to main points. Look for analogies. Relate concepts to practical uses. Review and tie to previous material. Write down examples.
Assimilation Requires Attention
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Remembering & Forgetting:
Time Remember Forget
20 mins. 53% 47%
2 Days 35% 65%
15 Days 25% 75%
30 Days 22% 78%
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Ways of Remembering:
Decrease interference
RestedStay connectedSet times: study & play
Increase focusTake notes & reviewCreate meaning link
StorageOrganize by useTalk about concepts and apply to people or creative stories.
Causes of Forgetting:
Interference
•Other thoughts•Emotions•Distractions
Lack of focus•Did not input•Not meaningful
Storage •No organization•No link to future context (chk file)
Remembering & Forgetting:
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Repetition Increases Learning (Assimilation)
It takes about 7-10 repetitions to learn new material Short frequent repetitions input information Applying in active ways increases ability to remember
The more senses involved in learning, the stronger the memory. Explaining or saying to someone else is a form of
output that increases memory and understanding We have a special ability to remember stories –
cases, hypotheticals, particularly hypotheticals with unusual facts stick in memory.
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Attention & Adaptation: Perceived Importance*
*Concept developed by William Purkey
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Attention & Adaptation: Perceived Importance
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Attention & Adaptation: Perceived Importance
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Attention & Adaptation: Perceived Importance
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Accommodation: Metacognitive Tasks & Strategies
• Accommodation requires distinguishing concepts
• Look for the relationship of cases to each other.
• Make visual representations of the relationships of concepts or cases to each other to help identify differences.
• Use examples or analogies to highlight and test differences.
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Study Steps:Assimilation & Accommodation
Review last class before reading for next class --[Let your professor guide your learning.]
Read for class Review last notes before next class Go to Class Review notes after class Review week’s notes at the end of week Use a study group for clarification &
applications Write a homework problem each week
7-10 repetitions = long term memory
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Study Goals: Content
Develop expertise in legal content through learning: To read like a lawyer
Looking for general and specific rules Discerning critical facts that shift analysis Understanding reasoning of court Examining how sets of cases are like and
different in reasoning and outcomes The language of law
Purposeful Specific
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Study Goals: Process
• Developing legal analysis skills
Focus on questions your professors ask Practice analysis by asking these or
similar questions of yourself as you prepare for classes
Be active in your learning: Talk about what you are studying
With each other With friends and relatives
Apply what you are learning to news stories and events in your life
Make up stories that illustrate legal rules – change facts to test limits of rules.
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Vary Study Activities
Read actively Ask questions while reading
What does this add to the concept? Compare: What is this like? Contrast: How is this different?
Are professor’s questions asked in last class also applicable to new material?
Diagram or chart to aid understanding Try color coding Write a short summary of content in
addition to case briefs - good use of time?
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Organizing: One Important Learning Skill
Ordering notes Organizing at the end of each
week Organizing at the end of each
chapter or unit Organizing before exams Organizing in exams
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Reasons to Organize
To learn course content Organizing forces a focus on content that
increases recall of material Grouping cases helps
Deepen understanding of concepts Build associational connections to increase memory
To highlight analysis process Drawing attention to legal rules Providing context for legal arguments for analysis
and application to new fact patterns To prepare for exams
Emphasizing thoroughness of analysis in exams Increasing speed when writing exams
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Start with what has worked for you in past courses. Experiment with other methods to see if they facilitate
analysis and application. ‘To Outline’ is code for ‘To Organize’
Outlines are one way to organize, but not useful for everyone. Flow charts emphasize analysis Decision trees use questions to aid analysis Diagrams can reveal relationships among and within concepts Summary and synthesis statements put the big picture into
words Use a structure that simplifies understanding,
emphasizes analysis, and aids memory and application.
Choosing a Format
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Is it more efficient to use an outline created by someone who knows more than I? NO! Making it is a huge part of the value Do use table of contents, syllabus, or similar
materials to provide an initial framework or to stimulate ideas
What about sharing outlines? IT DEPENDS ON YOUR METHOD & PURPOSE
Preliminary Questions
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Go to all classes Make some kind of notes or other record in or about classes Review notes frequently Read supplemental materials only as needed Use flash cards for memory tasks Study alone, but apply through planning and writing problems with a study partner or group Designate time frame
Recommended Strategies:
SynthesisJudgment
ProblemSolving
Spotting Issues
Understanding
Knowledge
Group Programs & Individual Appointments
We will have group programs on study and exam writing skills regularly throughout the term.
Individual appointments are available for all students.
How to find me: My office #216, Phone: 278-9240, E-mail: [email protected]
Stop by when door is open or contact me for a time for an appointment.