Co-operative Student Learning in Undergraduate Law: Fostering Teamwork Skills in External Students
AbstractThis article explores the development of a model of assessment of teamwork in external law students. It examines how the traditional difficulties of teaching teamwork skills to external law students were overcome by providing them with appropriate supports. Specifically, it explores the results of a trial of a model where students learn teamwork from one another while working in virtual teams on a compulsory assignment through reflecting on their learning experiences. The author concludes that external students clearly need to be provided with appropriate supports to develop their teamwork abilities, including materials on how to work in a team, on-line teaching tools, discussion forums, opportunities to meet face-to-face and flexible options in team formation. The qualitative analysis suggests that the assessment of the teamwork in the trial was a positive learning experience for the students involved. |