DEVELOPMENT OF MODULES FOR TEACHING Oslo, 20th May 2006 Elena Sánchez Jordán University of La Laguna Canary Islands, Spain

Summary Reasons for a change The development of a new model Conclusions

Reasons for a change (I) In La Laguna we still teach Law under a Plan that was enacted in 1953 (it also happens in the Complutense University in Madrid, with over Law students). Last year we were evaluated by an external committee. The Study Plan was one of the worst aspects they pointed out.

Reasons for a change (II) We had also noticed that: There was a very high number of students. But they attended neither lectures, nor exams. The average time to finish the degree was 8 years, although the “planned” time is 5 years. And then… the ULL opened the possibility to its different Schools and Faculties to start applying the ECTS system under certain conditions (pilot project). 4 of the teachers involved in the fourth year of the degree decided to start preparing the new model. Finally, all of us (6) are applying it.

The development of a new model (I) We have tried to keep what we considered positive aspects of the old model (eg: lectures, but less). At the same time, we have started helping students to learn autonomously We have emphasized case solving We have planned other activities (films, visits to the Courts, different kind of lawyers as guests…) We have organised small working-tutorial groups. They meet each teacher every two weeks (1/2 hour)

The development of a new model (II) We are using different types of assessment (portfolio [40 %] plus two written exams –cases– per year and subject [40 %] plus class participation [20%] ) Blogs have been very useful for planning and developing this new model ( To make easier the planning of students´ activities To explain cases To give students previously selected information

The development of a new model (III). Some figures The model is being applied in the 4th year of the Law degree, which has 6 subjects (or course units, in Tuning´s wording) Administrative Law Civil Law Commercial Law Labour Law Procedure Law Tax Law Each subject (course unit) has 10 ECTS (27´15 hours each ECTS), adding A + B + C We have developed it in the following way

TEACHER ACTIVITY STUDENT WORKLOAD ATypes of teaching Content Class hours per week Competences Attendance time per week (AT) Students´ worktime per week (WT) Total hours per year (T= AT + WT) x nº weeks LecturesTheoretical explanation2 Developing knowledge concerning theory. Ability to pose problems Case solving Study and solving of cases 1 Capacity for applying knowledge in practice 10,7552,5 Meetings Films Lectures by different kind of lawyers. Films Class discussion 0,25 Understanding of real problems 0,25137,5 B Tutorial (groups) Compulsory Team work. Practical questions´ solving 2 Capacity to work in team, ability to pose problems, to achieve solutions 0,25 15 Tutorial (individual) Individual assistance to the student - Ability to pose problems, to achieve solutions --- C Assessment (written exam – case-, portfolio and class participation) Assessment of the learning outcomes achieved by the student 16,5 TOTAL 5,253,505271,5

Conclusions Problems: How to decide admission of students. What to do with those who were not admitted Still high number of students Coordination amongst teachers Planning difficulties But We have all learned new methods (students/teachers) Attendance to lectures has increased Better results of “exams” Students feel quite happy, even when they consider that they work much more Students are learning to work in team, as well as autonomously Much better relationships amongst us

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION