Issue #8 of Equipping Our Lawyers eNewsletter

Editor's Note: Things are happening! Last week I posted a new Spotlight article on www.equippingourlawyers.org by Susan J. Curry discussing the expanding public service and pro bono practice opportunities offered by the University of Chicago Law School. Also the New York State Bar Association has just issued the report of its Task Force on the Future of the Legal Profession. This newsletter will cover the report in detail in future issues, but you can check the text yourself at www.nysba.org/Content/NavigationMenu68
/TaskForceontheFutureoftheLegalProfessionHome/TaskForceReport.pdf.

-Chuck Bingaman, Editor

US Dept of Education Report: Online May Be More Effective Than Face-to-Face Training

In a 2010 report the DOE gathered and weighed the results of more than 1,000 studies from 1966 to 2009 comparing the effectiveness of online learning with face-to-face learning. It focused on studies that measured student learning outcomes, used rigorous research design, and provided adequate information to calculate the effects of several variables. Conclusions?

On average, those in online learning situations performed modestly BETTER than those receiving face-to-face instruction. Equally interesting, students receiving BLENDED INSTRUCTION--a mix of face-to-face and online instruction-- performed even better than those receiving either online or face-to-face instruction alone.

And, of interest to legal educators, the studies were a bit weighted toward professional training versus K-12 training. To review the full report, see:
http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf

Editor’s Note: The effectiveness of distance education--mainly online training at this point--has been a serious and legitimate concern of mandatory CLE authorities and CLE administrators for years.

While this DOE study raises many questions, at least it shows that, done right, online training need not take a back seat to face-to-face learning and that MCLE authorities need to focus on the “hows” on online training--the standards--not so much whether it should be accredited.

In fact, Summit Recommendation #7 suggests that “MCLE regulators, in collaboration with CLE providers and that practicing bar, should develop appropriate accreditation standards for all varieties of distance learning CLE programs while also updating and improving accreditation standards for in-person CLE programs.” -CCB

British Bar Regulators Launch “Fundamental” Review of Lawyers’ Education and Training

The Solicitors Regulation Authority--a branch of the Law Society of England and Wales--has invited contractors to undertake a “fundamental” review of the legal education and training system for lawyers in England and Wales. The goal is “to ensure that ethical standards and levels of competence of those delivering legal services in regulated law firms are sufficient to secure a high standard of service for clients, and to support the public interest and the rule of law.”

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Institute of Legal Executives Professional Standards (IPS) are also sponsoring the project.

The project is to launch in April and be completed by November 2012. For full information, see http://www.sra.org.uk/sra/news/press/legal-regulators-launch
-education-training-review.page

Editor's Note: Rethinking legal education for 21st century practice competence is breaking out all across the English-speaking world. -CCB

ABA Section Gears for Conferences on Legal Ed Issues

The ABA Section of Legal Education & Admission to the Bar has established a new Conferences Committee “responsible for coordination of the efforts of Section Officers, committees, staff, and other Section organizations in the planning and operation of all Section meetings, with particular emphasis on meetings open generally to members of the Section.”

The Committee also advises other committees of the Section on effective procedures for planning and carrying out committee meetings to improve the Section's overall programmatic effort. Dean Lisa A. Kloppenberg of the University of Dayton School of Law is the committee chair.

Editor's Note: The Section's Standards Committee is working on detailed and ambitious new standards for law school accreditation. The new standards will require much meeting coordination and skill to be presented and understood by Section members and others. Incidentally, the Summit Implementation Steering Committee has shared its recommendations with the Standards Committee. -CCB

Treasure Trove of Sources on Legal Practice and Education Developments

Jordan Furlong is a prolific Toronto-based legal practice consultant and legal journalist. His blog, www.law21.ca, is VERY worthwhile reading. In a recent posting Furlong shares HIS favorite twitter feeds and blogs related to legal education and change in legal practice in the English speaking world. A great resource!

See http://www.law21.ca/2011/02/18/follow-friday/?goback=%2Egde_2733677_member_44549665