Lecturing (and not lecturing) using the web : developing a teaching strategy for web-based lectures : flexible delivery in a first year law subject, part I.

By explaining the mixed-mode flexible development delivery in a first- year law subject, the author seeks to explore critically the possibility of achieving educational objectives when lectures are delivered over the web. The aim is to explore the educational literature and apply it to the demands of flexible delivery so that even in the absence of great technical expertise or an abundance of resources, web-based delivery might still be educationally valuable and administratively manageable. The article begins by outlining the project background and rationale. Section two looks at the context of a shift to web-based lectures; it discusses approaches to learning, learning objectives and ways in which traditional lecturing seeks to achieve them. The third section turns to the development of a web-based lecturing approach for Introduction to Law, identifying with examples and reasons the strategies adopted for the web lectures. A brief conclusion draws together the rationales for flexible delivery and the objectives of teaching, suggesting that teaching using the Internet requires, like any mode of teaching, a critical, creative and reflective approach if learning objectives are to be effectively met. On the web, this entails a fundamental reconsideration of the very idea of lecturing. An evaluation and review of the mixed-mode project is the subject of the 'Part Two' article which follows in this issue of the journal. Together, the two articles examine some of the ways in which the challenges of flexible delivery might not only be made manageable but may even become a catalyst for constructive change. It is argued that while there are numerous reasons to exercise caution, there are good reasons to consider creative but simple web-based delivery as a positive alternative to large group lecturing, carrying significant potential for deep, holistic, student-centred learning