Adapting Pandemic Practices for the Future: Blended Learning Model for Online Advocacy Training in Pakistan
| Author | Hadia Awan |
| Published date | 01 July 2021 |
| Date | 01 July 2021 |
| DOI | 10.1177/23220058211013981 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Adapting Pandemic Practices
for the Future: Blended Learning
Model for Online Advocacy
Training in Pakistan
Hadia Awan1
Abstract
The challenge of teaching a skill-based course online, during pandemic unfolded lasting/ground-
breaking opportunities for teachers and students of law alike. For the advocacy skills' training course,
a suit for dissolution of marriage was selected and training was divided into 12 steps. The pre-planned
semester calendar of the University was followed, but in the virtual learning environment (VLE),
sessions were held mostly synchronously by using an indigenized blended learning (BL) model. Station
rotation (SR) and the flipped classroom (FC) were also indigenized for effective use. Indigenization
of BL was done. SR was done by creating stations comprising research areas involved in the trial
for dissolution of a marriage. The FC was used to make students learn lectures beforehand, and all
simulations, role-plays and activities were done in class. On-spot grading was done on assessment
rubrics by using standard observation forms, generated based on extracted principles. All rubrics and
standard forms were shared and discussed with students to build trust in the VLE. The asynchronous
mode was also used, but only for the sake of supplemented learning. The grading policy was revised,
and the curves of summative and formative assessments were flattened. A total of 45 students were
trained, out of whom 26 scored A, four A–, two B, five B+, one B–, one C, one C+, one C– and four
got F (for not participating at all). The outcome was encouraging. After completion of the semester,
the need assessment survey culminated in a hands-on training session for the Faculty of Law (FoL).
Participants designed courses using the BL model and found the methodology effective for future use
in regular classes.
Introduction
In Pakistan, professional legal studies start after higher school education of 12 years. This is a
5-year law programme comprising 166 credit hours, consisting of 28 credits of compulsory and
Asian Journal of Legal Education
8(2) 144–157, 2021
© 2021 The West Bengal National
University of Juridical Sciences
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DOI: 10.1177/23220058211013981
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1 Faculty of Law, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Corresponding author:
Hadia Awan, Faculty of Law, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Punjab 54782, Pakistan.
E-mail: haadiaawan@gmail.com
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