Donna M. Cooper

“Ruby’s Music Festival”: developing problem-solving skills using online scenarios and creating opportunities to feed forward

One of the characteristics of good teaching is giving the highest quality feedback on student work, but the term “feedback” is most commonly associated with summative assessment given by a teacher after work is completed. The student can often be a passive participant in the process. This article looks at the implementation of web-based scenarios completed by students prior to summative assessment with the objective of improving legal problem-solving skills. It examines the design process and the implementation of the problem-solving activity and the approach to teaching and learning taken in the new law unit of which it is part. We argue that such activities are effective tools to feed forward and reflect on the implications for the effective teaching of law in higher education.

When Rolls Royce and Holden justice collide : an analysis of the operations of the Federal Magistrates Service in Queensland in the family law arena

This research investigates claims by the Commonwealth Attorney-General that the Federal Magistrates Service (FMS) is providing a quicker, cheaper, less formal option for litigants than the Family Court. Qualitative research was undertaken in Queensland from February 2001 and November 2001. A purposive sample of twenty-five family law practitioners, nine Family Court and four Federal Magistracy judicial and management staff from around Queensland were interviewed. Although the small number of practitioners interviewed does not allow the researcher to draw conclusions as to trends across Queensland, the findings can be compared with the results of national research conducted by consultants on behalf of the Federal Magistrates Service. This project represents the first independent research into the efficacy of the FMS in achieving the goals set for it by the Attorney-General.

Changing the family lawyer's philosophical map: narrowing the gap between practice and legal education.

Revolutionary changes have occurred in the family law arena during the last ten years. There has been an increased focus on the rights and needs of children1 and on the responsibilities and duties of parenthood. Both parents are now expected to be emotionally and financially supportive of their children after separation. Parents are more accountable for the way in which they behave towards each other and their children. This was ensured by the introduction of domestic violence legislation and the subsequent recognition of the effects of family violence on children and families.