To Search or Not to Search? That is the Question! Learning to Find Case Law on LexisNexis

Subject Area(s):

• Higher Ed: Law
• Higher Ed: Law

Grade Level(s):

• Graduate

Description:

This lesson is designed for first year law students in their second semester of school. It is the beginning task of a semester-long project culminating in the writing of a Memo to Partner. The lesson will take place during one Legal Writing class period, which is 90 minutes long. Students will also be required to meet with their professor outside of class hours to discuss their research findings. The class will take place in one of the law school's computer labs, which are part of the library. As a class, students will read a fact pattern and practice issue spotting. Then, on an individual basis, students will create search strategies with the assistance of the professor and reference librarian if needed. Finally, the reference librarian will instruct students on the basics of using LexisNexis while the students implement their own search strategies. At the end of the lesson, students will be told the appropriate relevant case law.

Goals & Objectives:

Instructional Goals

§    Students will be able to read a fact pattern and spot the appropriate issue.

§    Students will be able to create successful search strategies to obtain relevant law.

§    Students will learn to use the LexisNexis database to locate relevant law.

Learning Objectives

• First Year Law Students will:

·         Successfully spot the appropriate issue

·         Successfully create a search strategy

·         Successfully use LexisNexis database to locate relevant law

Motivational Goals

§    Generate interest in the research process

§    Reinforce the importance of issue spotting and using information skills

§    Build confidence in issue spotting and information literacy skills through the use of the LexisNexis database

§    Promote satisfaction in search accomplishments

Materials:

LexisNexis database

PowerPoint presentation

Handout containing fact pattern

Procedures:

Introduction
Content	Technique
Students are introduced to the daily class plan by Professor.  Students are introduced to the Reference Librarian.	Lecture
To ensure high student motivation for the task, Professor discusses with students the importance of issue spotting.  Professor also discusses with students the kinds of tasks that law clerks receive and how this assignment is similar.	Power Point presentation, discussion and questioning; ARCS theories – attention, relevance and confidence
To ensure high student motivation for the task, Reference Librarian discusses with students the value of learning to use LexisNexis and how it will be incorporated into their future practice as a lawyer.	PowerPoint presentation, discussion and questioning;  ARCS theories – attention, relevance and confidence

Assessment:

Learning Assessment Method(s):



? Reference Librarian and Professor will evaluated students’ understanding of issue spotting by their ability to locate the correct issue during the group discussion

? Reference Librarian and Professor will evaluate student’s ability to create a successful search strategy to obtain relevant law through observation

? Reference Librarian will evaluate student’s learning of LexisNexis through observation during instruction and review of their search history. Professor will evaluate student’s learning of LexisNexis through observation during instruction and meeting with student to discuss search results.

Supporting Files:

• To Search or Not to Search.ppt
  
• Handout.doc
  

Standards:

ACRL Standards (Higher Education IL Standards)

Determines the nature and extent of information needed

• Defines and articulates the need for information

Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently

• Constructs and implements effectively-designed search strategies
• Retrieves information online or in person using a variety of methods
• Refines the search strategy if necessary