What the Best Law Teachers Do:
Teaching and Learning Resources That Influenced This Project
The following is a non-exhaustive list of teaching and learning books, law review articles and websites that have influenced this project. The author apologizes to the authors of any works I inadvertently left off of this list.
Books on Law School Teaching and Learning
- William M. Sullivan, Anne Colby, Judith Welch Wegner, Lloyd Bond, Lee S. Shulman, Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Profession of Law (Jossey-Bass 2007)
- Roy Stuckey and Others, Best Practices for Legal Education (CLEA 2007) (902 KB PDF)
- Steven Friedland and Gerald Hess, Teaching the Law School Curriculum (Carolina Academic Press 2004)
- Gerald Hess and Steven Friedland, Techniques for Teaching Law (Carolina Academic Press 1999)
- Gerald Hess, Michael Hunter Schwartz & Sophie Sparrow, Teaching Law By Design: Engaging Students From the Syllabus to the Final Exam (Carolina Academic Press, forthcoming Spring 2009)
Other Books on Teaching and Learning
- Ken Bain, What the Best College Teachers Do (Harvard University Press 2004).
- Patricia L. Smith & Tillman J. Ragan, Instructional Design. 3rd ed. (Wiley Higher Education 2005).
Law Review Articles on Law School Teaching and Learning
Articles designated "Read at HeinOnline" are available through the HeinOnline Law Journal Library database. Most law schools subscribe to this service. Please consult your local librarian with questions about access.
Articles Focusing on the Student Perspective
- Robin A. Boyle and Rita Dunn, "Teaching Law Students through Individual Learning Styles," 62 Alb. L. Rev. 213 (1998). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Gerald F. Hess, "Hearts and Heads: Creating an Effective Teaching and Learning Environment in Law School," 52 J. Legal Educ. 75 (2002). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Gerald F. Hess, "Listening to Our Students: Obstructing and Enhancing Learning in Law School," 31 U.S.F. L. Rev. 941 (1997). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Lawrence S. Krieger, "Does Legal Education Have Undermining Effects on Law Students? Evaluating Changes in Values, Motivation and Well-Being," 22 Behavioral Science & Law 261 (2004) (with Kennon Sheldon). [Read abstract at SSRN]
- Lawrence S. Krieger, "Institutional Denial About the Dark Side of Law School, and Fresh Empirical Guidance for Constructively Breaking the Silence," 52 J. Legal Educ. 112 (2002). [Read abstract at SSRN | Read at Heinonline]
- James B. Levy, "As a Last Resort, Ask the Students: What They Say Makes Someone an Effective Law Teacher," 58 Maine L. Rev. 50 (2006). [Read abstract and download at SSRN]
Articles Focusing on Teaching Methods, Instructional Design and Learning Theory
- Roberto L. Corrada, "A Simulation of Union Organizing in a Labor Law Class," 46 J. Legal Educ. 445 (1996). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Jay Feinman and Marc Feldman, "Pedagogy and Politics," 73 Geo. L.J. 875 (1985). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Gerald F. Hess, "Principle 3: Good Practice Encourages Active Learning," 49 J. Legal Educ. 401 (1999). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Michael Hunter Schwartz, "Teaching Law by Design: How Learning Theory and Instructional Design Can Inform and Reform Law Teaching," 38 San Diego L. Rev. 347 (2001). [Read abstract and download at SSRN]
- Michael Hunter Schwartz, "Teaching Law Students to be Self-Regulated Learners," 2003 Mich. St. L. Rev. 447. [Read abstract and download at SSRN]
- Linda S. Anderson, "Incorporating Adult Learning Theory into Law School Classrooms: Small Steps Leading to Large Results," 5 Appalachian J. L. 127 (2006). [Read at HeinOnline]
Articles Focusing on Cooperative Learning
- Carole Buckner, "Realizing Grutter v. Bollinger's 'Compelling Educational Benefits of Diversity' -- Transforming Aspirational Rhetoric Into Experience," 72 UMKC L. Rev. 877 (2004). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Vernellia R. Randall, "Increasing Retention and Improving Performance: Practical Advice on Using Cooperative Learning in Law Schools," 16 T.M. Cooley L. Rev. 201 (1999). [Read at HeinOnline]
Articles Focusing on the Classroom Environment and Professor Attitude
- Barbara Glesner-Fines, "Impact of Expectations on Teaching and Learning," 38 Gonz. L. Rev. 89 (2002). [Read abstract and download at SSRN]
- Gerald F. Hess, "Learning to Think Like a Teacher: Reflective Journals for Legal Educators," 38 Gonzaga L. Rev. 129 (2003). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Gerald F. Hess, "Hearts and Heads: Creating an Effective Teaching and Learning Environment in Law School," 52 J. Legal Educ. 75 (2002). [Read at HeinOnline]
Articles Focusing on Assessment
- Greg Sergienko, "New Modes of Assessment," 38 San Diego L. Rev. 463 (2001). [Read at HeinOnline]
- Sophie Sparrow, "Describing the Ball: Improve Teaching by Using Rubrics - Explicit Grading Criteria," 2004 Mich. St. L. Rev. 1. [Read at HeinOnline]
Online Resources
- Barbara Glesner-Fines' Teaching and Learning Website
- Teaching and Learning Blog
- Best Practices in Legal Education Blog
- Johnson and Johnson Cooperative Learning Website
- Ken Bain's Montclair State Teaching and Learning Website
Project Investigator
Professor Michael Hunter Schwartz
Washburn University School of Law
1700 SW College Ave., Room 309
Topeka, KS 66621
(785) 670-1666
michael.schwartz [at] washburn.edu
