Professional Reading: The Pedagogy of Online Dialogues

The Pedagogy of Online Dialogues: an empirical study of asynchronous discussions at Harvard Law School (pdf) is Gene Koo's “3L paper” submitted in spring 2002 in completion of his J.D. studies at Harvard Law School. Drawing from surveys and textual analysis of discussions happening adjunct to classes at Harvard Law School, the author examines how computer-mediated intra-class communications fit within or challenge traditional legal pedagogy. Although the data set is small, Koo preliminarily conclude that online discussions can either defy or reify existing cultural dynamics within the law school classroom such as unequal gender participation. Koo provides practical guidelines for how professors can conduct online discussions to encourage better participation; suggest technological improvements to the medium itself; and identify areas for further research.

Gene Koo is a Fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society as well as Director of Online Training at Legal Aid University. Gene maintains a personal blog, video vidi visum : virtual and contributes to the Law Professor Blogs Network's Law School Innovation blog. [JH]