Challenges in the E-teaching of Law

Abstract

The effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on education is already obvious. Where higher education institutions are concerned, the impact of these changes may vary based on the scientific field encompassing those academic programmes. This article presents the impact of switching to blended learning, and later online-only education, in the field of Law study programmes, an area where face-to-face learning might be considered essential, given the specifically oral nature of legal professions. The research tools for this article are (i) a case study based on (ii) a survey on theLaw students at Transilvania University of Brașov, following (iii) a review of specialized literature, taking into account the specific conditions with available specific conditions which would facilitate the process of teaching-learning-assessment. The survey focuses on the following core issues: (i) the interface, the tools and the level of accessibility for the e-learning platform; (ii) evaluation of teaching resources in terms oftheir formal aspect and usefulness in the learning process; (iii) teaching-learning process in terms of the optimal content and way of teaching of the didactic materials, and in terms of the students’ involvement and increased interest; (iv) identifying the optimal assessment methods in a comfortable climate, as well as ensuring the fairness of the examination; (v) the teaching staff’s skills of online teaching on the e-learning platform, and the students’ skills of accessing and using this platform. An analysis of the responses would allow identifying the weaknesses and strengths in the new teaching tools and methods, their efficiency in the learning process, the effect felt by students on personal performance, as well as their appreciation of the online examination methods. The results of the survey also show that the professorsneed to reposition themselves based on the new teaching conditions and demands created by the current and future situation, as well as the technological facilities and tools provided by online platforms. The article will be concluded withthe presentation of the challenges and opportunities identified in online teaching and assessment, which, despite being specific to the legal science, can also be extended to other fields, at least where humanities are concerned.