Aloha Colleague:
 
If you can spare a few minutes, your reply to the following 5 questions
will be appreciated.  Responses will be shared with Quebec Panel members
discussing a proposal to expand ALSB's classroom support.
 
Information about the Panel follows the questions -- It is not necessary to
read it to answer the questions. -- Expressing disinterest is also
important.
 
        Thanks,  --Hunter
__________________________________________________________
Would you like to have peer reviewed business law classroom support
materials available on Internet (e.g.: PowerPoint presentations, sample
course syllabi, business style cases, etc.)?
        Yes ___
        No  ___
        Comment:
 
Would you identify the business law classroom support items you would most
like to have on Internet?
        Item List & Comments:
 
Should ALSB assume any role in developing members' basic technology skills?
(Alternative:  That is a function of the individual and their
institutions.)
        Yes ___
        No  ___
        Comment:
 
(Related questions on print and technology)
Would you like to have The Journal of Legal Studies Education (JLSE)
available on Internet?
        Yes ___  If yes, do you still need a print copy--y/n
        No  ___
        Comment:
 
Will the print version of The Journal of Legal Studies Education (JLSE) be
totally replaced by an electronic version within 10 years?
        Yes ___
        No  ___
        Comment:
 
________________________________________________
INFORMATION FOLLOWS ON THE PANEL AND THE PROPOSAL
 
Panel:  Proposal to Expand ALSB's Role in Classroom Support
 
Moderator:
Peter Shedd, University of Georgia
 
Panelists:
Sally Gunz, University of Waterloo
Nancy Hauserman, University of Iowa
Dan Herron, Miami University
Jim Jurinsky, University of Oregon-Portland
Hunter Kennedy, Hawaii Pacific University
Ginny Maurer, University of Florida
Nim Razook, University of Oklahoma
 
This panel will discuss and solicit ideas for expanding classroom support
for ALSB members using Internet.  The session will concentrate on
generating ideas, assessing interest and suggesting a general course of
action rather than detailed planning.
 
THE SITE PAGE -- ONE VERSION  (Possibly at ALSB Home Page)
- Links To WWW Site, FTP Site, or at ALSB Site
        * PowerPoint Presentations, Overheads, and other classroom
presentation materials  (Could be indexed and at various campus sites, or
at a central ALSB FTP Site, or . . .)
        * Materials focusing on developing reflective thinking, persuasive
writing, integrative teaching themes, ethical perspectives and other
pedagogical matters where law serves the broader business school
educational objectives well.
        * Cases -- (Business style law cases, if they are developed.)
        * Articles -- various articles on items of interest from business
law paradigms, examination issues, teaching methodology, technology skills
for students and faculty, etc.  (Selected past JLSE articles.)
        * Student Research Site Links --
        * Ethics Site Links --
        * Selected Members pages --
        * Selected Syllabi for a wide variety of courses
- An Index to ALSB Classroom Support Materials (Could be an ASCII text, tab
delineated, ftp document suitable for use with most database programs.)
- Search Engine -- (could use AltaVista with ALSB codes in documents -- an
alternative to the index, a planned redundancy)
- Other --
 
 
        "Enriching Our Discipline"  -- ALSB Conference Theme -- 1996
STRAWMAN PROPOSAL:
 
ALSB should create a site on Internet, or some Internet alternative,
devoted to providing classroom support materials for members.  The purpose
would be to assist members in their quest for ever-improving classroom
excellence.
 
THESIS:
The process of improving pedagogy skill and acquiring technology skill and
materials can be greatly simplified with the help of colleagues who have
already 'been there, done that.'
 
The Academy has contributed in this area for years through the JLSE.
Present technology changes the nature of some items to be distributed
(e.g., PowerPoint presentations and other technology materials) and the
nature of the distribution and storage system.  Internet provides a storage
and distribution system which is less expensive and has greater utility
than paper publications.
 
PREMISE:
        Modern information technology in the classroom provides a distinct
improvement in pedagogy.  (Arguable -- However, it should not me arguable
that ALSB should be supporting exploration in bringing technology to the
business law classroom focused on improving education.)
        Many faculty are so heavily burdened with research, teaching,
committee and other assignments that it is difficult to find the time to
acquire the skills and do the ground work to move up to an integrated
information technology classroom.  (Common faculty knowledge, not common
public knowledge.)
        Presently within the Academy membership there are a number of
individuals willing to share their materials and experience to help
colleagues make the step up.  (Untested assumption, JLSE publication will
be a useful incentive.)
        Internet technology is the means by which this can be accomplished
most efficiently.  (Obvious -- But there will need to be parallel
information provided in the printed version of JLSE to assist the
transition to technology.)
        The effort should be coordinated by JLSE.
 
JLSE is important for at least four reasons;
* it is an existing element of the organization with a closely related mission,
* it can provide important quality control assurances,
* it can provide the motivation & recognition to stimulate the production
of quality materials,
* it has an existing distribution system.  The paper journal is an
important bridge between past methods and new technology.  (It would be
desirable to go parallel with electronic publication as soon as possible.)
 
BENEFITS:
* Make the best materials within ALSB available to more teachers --
        Improve Business Law Education
* Lessen member's burden in improving classroom teaching
* Broaden and expand ALSB discourse on classroom issues
* Membership benefit to enhance ALSB recruitment and retention.
* Increase publication opportunities for members.
 
RESOURCES:
Internet Site (Or use of multiple sites)
Internet Server Support (Some level of central support)
JLSE Support -- Important parts of the communication will need this vehicle
ALSB Members (Contributing and Using)
 
POTENTIAL CONCERNS
        Relationships with Publishers:  ALSB gets financial and other
support from publishers in mutually beneficial relationships.  Care should
be taken not to accidentally alter these relationships.
The possibility exists that some projects could be perceived as being in
competition with publishers.  Classroom support should be in areas where
the members identify unsatisfied needs.  ALSB should focus on satisfying
identified needs for its members and their students.  (Products such as
text books are clearly not within this area of interest.)
 
        Non-member access to information:  There are many business law
faculty members who are not ALSB members.  It seems unreasonable to
establish a secure Internet site.  A better approach would be to use the
materials to encourage ALSB membership.  ALSB might develop a license
agreement saying classroom materials are licensed for use by current ALSB
members, non-members should submit an annual shareware fee, e.g., one half
of the annual membership fee.
 
        Burdens Placed On JLSE:  . . .