The Aspen Advisor Week in Review for May 11, 2018
In this week’s roundup, I have to start by bragging. Our Casebook Connect digital platform was named a CODiE award finalist for Best Emerging Instructional Technology Solution. Finalists represent the best products, technologies, and services in software, information and business technology. We developed this platform to address the unique needs of law school students. This is a competitive environment for students and they are always looking for a leg up. CasebookConnect.com saves students time, increases their efficiency, delivers critical feedback, and exposes real-world applications of what they are learning. The platform also helps professors gain insight on how their class is performing. We look forward to learning about this year’s winners on June 12.
Another article about digital learning pedagogy is “When More Information Isn’t Better for Students.” A recent Stanford University study determined that sharing information about how previous groups of students performed does not lead to better outcomes. In this case, just the opposite. Students using a digital course platform where they could see how previous students performed corresponded to an average drop of 0.16 units in overall GPA. More research needs to be done to determine if this is true for all students or specifically high-achieving students. Regardless, it is something for us to think about as we develop enhancements to our digital products.
Law Professors
Let’s Get Clinical (Faculty)!
Most of 'podium professors' have no clue what clinical faculty do. Show them and prove your value to the law school.
Law School Students
Commencement Speaker Hodell (J.D. ’18) Finds Third Act in Life Through Law Studies
As the student commencement speaker this year, Thomas Michael “Mike” Hodell, 52, wants to impart what it has meant to him personally to attend Georgia State Law and embark on what he calls “my third career.”
What No One Ever Tells You about Failing the Bar Exam
You won’t actually die of embarrassment, the people you love will support you, and there is no correlation between failing the bar exam and being alone.
How to Decide On A Law School: We Answer Even More Questions
Trying to decide where to go to law school? We've got you covered.
Find Your Niche. Then Get Rich.
Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t yet found your fit just yet. You might be able to carve out a new area of law.
How to Answer Tough Law School Interview Questions
In law school interviews, it's important to explain why you're a strong candidate, experts say.
What’s The Best Strategy to Prepare for the Bar Exam?
The answer isn’t as exciting as you may think: it depends on who you are and where you are coming from.
Legal Education
ABA Should Never Have Accredited Now-Closed Charlotte School of Law, Lawsuit Claims
A former professor and former student from the Charlotte School of Law have sued the ABA, accusing it of negligence in accrediting the school.
Florida Coastal Sues ABA Over Finding of Noncompliance with Accreditation Standards
Florida Coastal School of Law, which the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has found to be out of compliance with various standards regarding admissions and academic support, filed a federal court lawsuit against the organization Thursday, alleging that the ABA's accreditation finding violated the school’s due process rights.
UMN Subsidy for Law School Soars as Applications Suffer a Steep Drop
Still suffering from a steep drop in student applications, the University of Minnesota School of Law says it can’t balance its budget without even more help from the rest of the university.
Legal Training and New Markets
The Florida Bar Approves New Suffolk Law School Online Courses to Fulfill CLE Credits
Florida attorneys can earn 24 CLE credits from new online courses in legal innovation and technology
Other
When More Info Isn't Better for Students
New findings: college students actually perform worse with access to digital course-planning platforms that show how previous students performed.
Paralegal Education
Hybrid Paralegal Roles Are on the Rise at Law Firms, In-House
The latest trend in hiring for law firms and in-house legal departments? Hybrid paralegals—these positions bring the greatest value and are in demand. As clients seek legal services at lower costs, the need for multifaceted support staff grows.
Technology
Wolters Kluwer's CasebookConnect.com Named SIIA Education Technology CODiE Awards Finalist for Best Emerging Instructional Technology Solution
CasebookConnect.com provides law students with tools to maximize their academic performance.
The Aspen Advisor Week in Review is a collection of interesting articles from the past week that pertain to Legal Education. Some may be especially relevant to law professors and others to law students. Many stories focus on the pedagogical, technical, and financial innovation occurring in law schools today. We hope that these articles inspire you.
Nicole Pinard is the Executive Director of Market Development for the Legal Education division of Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory Solutions U.S.