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