National Jurist - March 2009 - (Page 12) legal writing faculty are tenured or in a tenure-eligible role and they are often paid less than other faculty members,” the report noted. When it comes to classroom laptop use, the survey provided more fuel for the growing fire about this controversial practice. Generally, LSSSE participants said they loved their laptops. And using them to review notes as well as call up cases during a lecture helped them feel more involved in the discussion and more likely to do well. Still, students admitted their clicking often was more about their Facebook fetish than taking notes. The survey found that third-year students used their computers to check email, surf the Web and send instant messages. (However, the report notes that “this is not surprising as use of the Socratic Method decreases and students rely less and less on case briefs.”) “We were happy to be able to collect data on that point because it’s been such a bone of contention between adminis- trators, professors and students,” Watkins said. “Really, computers can be a boon to students if they’re used correctly.” Other LSSSE 2008 highlights include: • Students who reported higher lawschool grades also spend more time participating in what are known as co-curricular activities, such as internships, moot court or writing for a law journal. • Third-year students at smaller law schools and private law schools with religious affiliations were more likely to say that their law school experience contributed substantially to acting with integrity, strengthening their commitment to serving the public good and to working effectively with future clients. Law schools can receive individual reports based on their students’ responses to the data. For example, Santa Clara University School of Law responded to students’ unhappiness with its financial services by starting its own financial aid department. The law school’s LSSSE data showed student satisfaction in this area rose significantly after the change was made. New York Law School has been a part of the LSSSE program since its 2003 pilot year. The law school uses the data to study its individual situation and make improvements, said Dr. Joanne M. Ingham, assistant vice president for Institutional Research. “It really gives us a much richer understanding about what our students are doing, thinking and feeling,” she said. For example, survey results encouraged the law school to hire a customer-service expert to train the administration and staff. NYLS also beefed up its information technology services based on student feedback. Over the long term, Ingham said NYLS is doing a five-year survey of its LSSSE data to see what trends it shows. “What we’ve accomplished is to confirm what we’ve believed and identify what we thought were understandings as myths,” Ingham said. Want fake MBE questions? Go somewhere else. Want to pass the bar exam? Keep reading. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Accessible from ANY Internet-based computer. Uses only previous bar exam questions. Adjusts presentation of questions based on your strengths and weaknesses. Calculates your optimal timing in each subject. Allows you to compare your performance to other students. Is accessible from your cell phone at adaptibar.mobi. Allows you to email our staff on both technical AND substantive questions. 105% money-back guarantee. Enroll online at www.adaptibar.com or call us at 877.466.1250 For a limited time, AdaptiBar is yours for only $335. Use promo code NJ173 when enrolling to receive the $60 discount. 12 THE NATIONAL JURIST March 2009 http://www.adaptibar.com http://www.adaptibar.com
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