Best Practices (and Common Pitfalls) in Law School Pedagogy
Thursday, July 27, 2023 | 1 – 3 pm Eastern
1:00 – 1:05 p.m.
Welcome
Mark Alexander, AALS President and Dean, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Introduction and Overview
Tara Willke, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
1:05 – 1:40 p.m.
Getting Started
Moderator: Andrew C. W. Lund, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Jill I. Gross, Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
Joseph Lesovitz, Adjunct Professor, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
What do adjunct faculty need to do from the time they accept a position until the semester begins? This panel will discuss the HR on-boarding process, selecting a textbook/casebook, developing a syllabus, and navigating the law school’s learning management system.
1:40 – 2:15 p.m.
Conducting Classes
Moderator: Victoria J. Haneman, Creighton University School of Law
Teri McMurtry-Chubb, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Katherine Macfarlane, Syracuse University College of Law
David Jamison, Adjunct Professor, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
The “Conducting Class” panel will explore the best practices and strategies for conducting a successful law school class. The panel will feature experienced law professors who may touch on classroom issues, such as: effective teaching methods, universal and accessible classroom design, creating a positive learning environment, assessing student learning, incorporating technology, and professionalism and ethics. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and techniques for conducting a successful law school class.
Presentation: Session Two: “Conducting Classes”
2:15 – 2:55 p.m.
Assessments
Moderator: Tamara F. Lawson, University of Washington School of Law
Jennifer S. Martin, Albany Law School
Steven I. Friedland, Elon University School of Law
Assessment of student work involves: (i) defining expected outcomes for students and setting benchmarks, (ii) employing formative and summative assessment to measure whether the students achieve those benchmarks, and (iii) analyzing the results to make changes to assist students and teachers. This panel will discuss some of the methods of assessment and how they might be used to reach learners who might succeed in differing formats.
Presentation: Assessment and evaluation: tools for student improvement
2:55 – 3:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Tara Willke, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University