SIGNIFICANCE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR LAW TEACHERS: TRANSFORMING LEGAL EDUCATION

Introduction

The profession of law includes extensive reading, research, and continuous and rigorous analysis of variety of things such as cases, statutes, legal opinions, social and geo-political issues etc. The method of performing these tasks has transformed over time with the development of technology. Whether it is legal research, finding out the applicable law, existing literature and case laws or organizing tasks and performance thereof in the legal profession, technology has changed the way we read and practice law.

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The classroom teaching of law has undergone drastic changes since the introduction of technology and continues to do so with newer and more diversely applicable teaching and learning methods. Whether it is the recent widespread shift and acceptance of online classes and assignment submission or the use of comprehensive online legal research tools like Manupatra, technology in the field of law is here to stay.

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The shift has not been without its own benefits and challenges. Law teachers and students both had a journey embracing the technological developments around them transforming the way they teach and learn preparing the next generation of tech-savvy lawyers. In this newsletter, we explore the transformative role of technology in legal education, focusing on the ways it benefits law teachers and their students.

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Easy Access to Vast Information

With the availability of a wide variety of options offering online storage and databases with value additions of filters, categorization of data etc., accessing information has become smoother, easier and simpler. So much so that it is almost unimaginable now to teach and learn without having access to an online learning and research database to tap into at any moment. Technological products such as digital libraries, online databases, and legal research tools have made it possible to quickly locate and review case laws, statutes, scholarly articles, reports etc. Both law teachers and students utilise these tools to effectively achieve the purpose of the task at hand. These tools also help in developing crucial research skills and knowledge essential for all in the field of law.

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New Age Learning

Imparting knowledge and receiving the same is no longer restricted to physical classrooms and settings that are conducted periodically and regularly. It has evolved over time to include short-term courses, online learning, distance learning, webinars, virtual classrooms, conferences – online and offline, round table discussions, etc. These are all interactive and engaging methods of learning facilitated with the help of technology making education more accessible. Features such as real-time discussions, debates, interactive exercises, visual and graphical representation, quizzes, online simulations, and other interactive activities etc. make new age learning even better. These go a long way and help students develop both theoretical and practical legal skills.

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New Age Classrooms

Online classrooms and learning used to be on the side-lines but was made mainstream because of the pandemic. Technology helped manifold in bridging the gap created by the pandemic through online methods of applications, attendance, research, submissions and even conducting exams. E-learning is available to a wider range of audience and can be delivered by teachers with lesser infrastructure and logistics requirement – making it a win-win for both. This offers flexibility and the opportunity to optimize classroom time for discussions, case studies, and practical exercises. Technology has made it possible for e-learning and blended learning models to see the light of day and actually prove beneficial for law teachers and students alike – saving time, effort and money.

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New Age Legal Clinics

Legal clinics in their traditional sense are the place where pro-bono legal advice and few allied services are provided by students in an attempt to familiarize the students with the practical application and experience of law. This is a crucial part of imparting the education of law and a lot of effort and emphasis is put on this facet whenever law schools/colleges are talked about. The scale of legal clinics has now been amplified through technology. Now, students are not restricted to issues that “walk” into the clinic, but also issues that are submitted online. Working on these issues, interacting with people, building a rapport with them etc. is no longer an extensive exercise but convenient from their respective homes and anywhere else they might be. This also makes it convenient for law teachers supervising and guiding the exchange to perform the task at hand. Gaining real-world experience as a student has become much easier and fruitful with technology facilitating online exchange and supervision.

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Dedicated Student Centric Approach

Ensuring that all students are able to learn is a constant challenge in the field of education, further made complex as each student has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. This peculiar requirement of educators is met through technological intervention. Technology allows law teachers to tailor their teaching methods and materials to meet the individual needs of their students. Features like learning analytics, online recorded lectures, online platforms and portals for queries and questions bringing together students and teachers in one place, confidential and secure exchange and feedback between the student and the teacher etc., all go a long way in ensuring the system is for the students and not the other way around.

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Enhancing Legal Research Skills

Legal research skills is an important and crucial skill to have from day 1 of deciding to get into the field of law, to actually becoming a part of the community to continuing the profession in the field of law. Good legal research skills is a skill to behold. This skill is now easier and convenient to master and execute with the help of technology. Online legal research tools like Manupatra are considered a must-have for anyone in the field of law, and prove helpful for teachers and students with comprehensive online database, efficient data retrieving and search capabilities, data insights and other value additions on a wide variety of resources. This streamlines the research process and equips students with practical skills that will serve them well in their legal careers.

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The ‘P’ Word – Privacy and Security

Concerns of privacy and security are highly discussed in the arena of law and technology and rightly so. It is crucial to ensure that using a technological advancement does not mean the unlawful storage and processing of our data. As the educators and life-long learners of law, it is important for the community to not only recognise the risk and threat to our data privacy and security but also mitigate and handle the same. This would also allow the students to gain an insight into what the field at the juncture of technology and law includes.

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Conclusion

The pivotal role of technology in the field of law, including the educating, teaching and learning law, has come a long way from where it started. With the help of technology, law educators are able to amplify their reach, use innovative and interactive methods of teaching and development, and provide curated attention and instruction, thereby effectively preparing their students for the modern demands of the modern legal profession. It is important for both the law teachers and students of law to keep up with the changing tides of time and adapt themselves to the increasing prevalence of technological advancements in teaching, learning and practice of law. Even more so, because these advancements – earlier considered a fad and now an inseparable feature – are here to stay and grow, becoming an integral part of legal practice and scholarship.