Instructional Methods

Blackboard™ is the technology platform used by NWCULaw for distance teaching and learning via the Internet. Students in the school's law study program use this dynamic Internet based course management system to access the school's course material, to collaborate and communicate online with fellow students and faculty members, and view and listen to recorded audio/video lectures from anywhere in the world. They also receive audio CD's containing terminology and a supplemental interactive tutorial CD-ROM.

The students participate in online "real-time" chats in the school's Virtual Classroom, and have access to an electronic law library. Faculty members are available to all students for course-specific questions, discussions and reviews via the school's Online Discussion Boards and through Cyber-Mail.

Course requirements include watching Online Audio/Video Lectures; listening to recorded terminology; reading assigned casebooks and outlines; and taking quizzes, midterms and final examinations.

Midterm examinations are completed by the students in open-book fashion and must be sent to the school by the students for grading by the school's faculty members. Proctors who must be lawyers, judges of regional courts, or school teachers/school administrators, are selected by the students to administer final examinations in their hometowns.

Since Northwestern California University is a member of The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI), all of the materials on the CALI website are available to NWCULaw students. This includes over 600 lessons written by faculty from other U.S. law schools. The lessons use a variety of formats and methods for teaching doctrine, analysis and critical thinking skills.

CALI is a U.S. 501(c) (3) non-profit consortium of law schools that researches and develops computer-mediated legal instruction and supports institutions and individuals using technology and distance learning in legal education. It was established in June 1982 by the University of Minnesota Law School and Harvard Law School to expand upon a collaboration involving the development of computer-based exercises for use in law school curriculum, and in the development of a computer network for sharing these exercises.

Paralegal Program:

Paralegal students are required to listen to recorded lectures, read prescribed written materials and take open-book examinations.