MONTE SMITH

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@JLWIonline So many LW folks are conscious of cognitive load when they design courses (and writing projects). If you want to scare yourself, think about how rare this consciousness is elsewhere at the law school.

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@JLWIonline Early in the process, I avoid having them critique themselves during class time because of the extrinsic cognitive load their ego preservation needs creates. Closer to due dates, I provide a self-grading rubric and sometimes use it during class time. #JLWIchat

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@LoriDelaneyJ @TerriEnns @JLWIonline Right now my short-term memory can't hold the hashtag concept and my thoughts about your questions. 😄#JLWIchat

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@LoriDelaneyJ @TerriEnns @JLWIonline I never use a problem I don't understand well. I don't want to exhaust my own short-term memory with new law. I often re-use problems or place similar facts in new jurisdictions (recently Nevada and Ohio!!).

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@TerriEnns @JLWIonline Even when I don't assign a particular role, students never say "I didn't understand, and it's my fault." They look for the flaws in the writing. #JLWIchat

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@TerriEnns @JLWIonline If we are shoveling complex substantive law and complex legal writing doctrine at students at the same time, they won't learn either deeply. #JLWIchat

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@JLWIonline Part of managing extrinsic cognitive load is creating assignments that do not require students to use all of their mental resources to understand the law.

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@mnb810 @TerriEnns @JLWIonline Yes, for all but the student who recognizes her own writing. I alter student work before I use it in samples. #JLWIchat

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@JLWIonline Yes, if proofreading is a form of multitasking. Excess cognitive load is a reason why we aren't good at multitasking when the tasks are complex.

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@TerriEnns @JLWIonline Think about how much of your brain is occupied with self-protection and self-justification when you know that someone is looking at your writing.

[MONTE SMITH @montegsmith]

@JLWIonline @TerriEnns Thank you to @JLWIonline