Using Assessment Practice to Evaluate the Legal Skills Curriculum

Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2008

ANU College of Law Research Paper No. 08-38

17 Pages Posted: 24 Oct 2008 Last revised: 12 Dec 2012

See all articles by Molly T. O'Brien

Molly T. O'Brien

ANU College of Law

John Littrich

University of Wollongong

Date Written: October 24, 2008

Abstract

A comprehensive audit of the skills curriculum offered to students in a Bachelor of Laws program yielded important insights about the collective impact of assessment tasks on the hidden and operational skills curriculum. This qualitative case study supports the views (1) that assessment tasks provide significant skills practice and performance opportunities for students; (2) that assessment provides students with important cues about what type of learning is valued; and (3) that review of assessment practices across the curriculum can provide important information for curricular reform.

Keywords: curriculum reform, assessment, legal skills, curriculum review, hidden curriculum, review of assessment practices, law school, legal education

JEL Classification: I2

Suggested Citation

O'Brien, Molly Townes and Littrich, John, Using Assessment Practice to Evaluate the Legal Skills Curriculum (October 24, 2008). Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2008, ANU College of Law Research Paper No. 08-38, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1289011

Molly Townes O'Brien (Contact Author)

ANU College of Law ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Territory 0200
Australia
02-6125-0437 (Phone)

John Littrich

University of Wollongong ( email )

Northfields Avenue
Wollongong, New South Wales 2522
Australia

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