Developing an Online Legal Research Course for Non-JDs

Monday, July 17, 2023

9:30am – 10:30am EDT

Location: Hynes-304

Coordinator(s)

Katie Hanschke

Head of Instruction and Access Services
Alyne Queener Massey Law Library, Vanderbilt University

Slides (PDF) Slides

Speaker(s)

MC

Meredith Capps

Foreign & International Law Librarian, Head of Faculty Services
Alyne Queener Massey Law Library, Vanderbilt University
Kathryn Crandall

Associate Director
Florida State University College of Law Research Center
Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Matt Timko (he/him/his)

Academic Technologies & Outreach Services Librarian
Northern Illinois University College of Law
DeKalb, Illinois, United States
MW

Mark J. Williams

Associate Director for Collections and Innovation
Alyne Queener Massey Law Library, Vanderbilt University

Moderator(s)

Clanitra Stewart Nejdl

Head of Professional Development and Research Services Librarian
Alyne Queener Massey Law Library, Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee, United States

As hybrid and remote learning and working environments become more and more common, it is increasingly important to be able to navigate an online instructional environment. This novel program will explore the steps taken by four law librarians to develop an online, asynchronous course to be incorporated into their law school’s MLS program curriculum. This program will provide insights into the pitfalls and challenges faced throughout the process of developing an online, asynchronous course. While the course is affiliated with an academic institution, the insights shared through the program will be helpful for any individual who wants to convey information on legal research to individuals without a law degree in an online environment, both formally in an academic environment and informally through reference assistance to individuals who interact with the law in some capacity but do not have a JD. Further, this program is meant to address the unique situation of conveying that information to individuals who do not have a law degree.

Target Audience:

Anyone interested in teaching (or proposing) either an online course or a course targeted for individuals without a law degree. Anyone who informally instructs and interacts with individuals without a law degree.

Takeaways:

Attendees will understand the challenges associated with formulating and executing an online course for individuals without a law degree.
Attendees will be able to develop learning objectives related to instructing individuals without a law degree.
Attendees will learn about content creation for online, asynchronous instruction.