How to Integrate Cases with Problem Based Learning in Legal Education

Abstract

Problem-Based Learning has been considered as an effective educational method in legal education. However, understanding and experiences of law professors regarding PBL are not sufficient to convert their traditional teaching methods such as lecture and case method into PBL. It is required to lead the law professors to implement PBL into their classrooms by explaining why and in what aspect PBL is superior to case method. None of educational benefits of the traditional case method are sacrificed in PBL. To solve an ill-structured problem and present their solutions, students must read, understand, and discuss the essential cases and resources. Students learn by themselves in PBL since problems lead them to discuss the cases. In a class with the case method, students experience these learning process prompted by instructors questioning. Cases could be good problems in legal PBL. However, in converting a case to a problem, we consider the followings; First, a problem in PBL should be complex and difficult to solve. The problem can be designed based on the case along with relevant articles or papers. Second, cases are easy to be accepted as a precedent judgement. And, We suggest the following steps to design PBL problem using case ; 1) selecting topic, 2) collecting data : statute, literatures, and cases, 3) searching grounds 4) selecting a case (or cases), 5) analyzing a case into grounds and facts, 6) reconstructing facts, and 7) writing scenario. Problems are the starting point of learning toward learners thoughts, questions, suggestions, and reflection, which is a critical difference of PBL from the case method. In conclusion, more research need to be conducted regarding PBL as a..