virtual conferences and e-learning emerging technologies workshop national judicial institute sept....
TRANSCRIPT
Virtual Conferences andE-learning
Emerging Technologies WorkshopNational Judicial Institute
Sept. 23-24, 2010
Art Cockfield, Queen’s Faculty of [email protected]
Overview
• What is a virtual conference?
• (tiny bit of substantive law on law and technology theory)
• Some downsides of virtual conferences
• Some upsides of virtual conferences
What is it??
• A virtual conference is a conference in an online environment where participants appear as ‘avatars’
Not ‘Avatar’, the movie
The virtual world of Second Life
Human Autonomy, Law and Technology Virtual Conference, March 10, 2010
In honour of late Professor EmeritusHugh Lawford, founder of QuickLaw (1933-2009)
Virtual conference: Investigate potential for law and technology theories
Two stage analytic framework: (1) in specific issue before court or policy maker, does technological change subvert traditional interests protected by law; and (2) if yes, then pursue innovative legal solutions that are less deferential to precedent (Cockfield, Towards a Law and Technology Theory, Man. L J., 2004)
How does technology affect interests protected by law?
Framework informed by ‘synthetic’ theory of law and technology that combines instrumental and substantive theories of technology (Cockfield and Pridmore, A Synthetic Theory of Law, Minn. J. Science and Tech., 2007)
Some downsides …
• Usage of New Technologies
- Audio (used Skype)
- Visual (design avatars); no video yet
- Security issues
Some hurdles (cont.)
• It ain’t World of Warcraft
Busy lawyers and busy judges
The upside!
• Interactive (hence will fulfill Law Society CLE requirements)
Upsides (cont.)
• Fun!
Upsides (cont.)
• Broad participation from speakers, commentators international participants, members of public, irate bloggers
Upsides (cont.)
• Cost savings (especially where no access to funding for travel and accommodations)
• Accessibility• Can be ‘attended’ from home office (think
pajamas and housecoat)
Concluding thoughts (1)
• Currently need significant tech support
Concluding thoughts (2)
• Avatars and other digital personalities increasingly linked to social networking
Concluding thoughts (3)
• Virtual conferencing likely standardized technology in near future
Concluding thoughts (4)
• See you in the virtual world!