Teaching Tools for Law School Faculty

A newish professor dispenses advice on choosing course material, preparing a syllabus and different aspects of interacting with students.

"This short perspective includes an account of freshman mistakes, lucky breaks, and the beginnings of a teaching philosophy."

Provides detailed advice on what to look for when selecting a casebook.

1. Enjoy Yourself, 2. Use Whatever Material Is Available (The Milton Berle Theory), 3. Avoid the "Instant Expert Trap", 4. Structure the Class But Avoid The Railroad Track, 5. Personalize the Class Discussion, 6. Create an Atmosphere in Which a Student Will Take Risks, 7. Change the Pace, 8. Look and Listen In and Out of Class, 9. Try Your Own Post-Mortem, 10. Set An Example.

The author summarizes this essay this way: “If it makes sense to you, do what I try to do, and what I sometimes actually accomplish on a very good day.”

Topics covered include: getting ready for your first class (choosing your courses, scheduling, setting a goal, learning your subject, selecting a casebook, daily preparation), in the classroom (teaching as an "ego trip", being yourself, the students' egos, classroom tricks), and the exam (preparing it, grading it, and after it).

Sponsored by Stetson Law School, the teaching materials network is a contact list of law professors offering to share their teaching materials with peers teaching a class for the first time.