With the University’s substantive move to online teaching and learning, the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP) has been responsible for rolling out a number of initiatives to support its students while teaching is conducted remotely. We spoke to Kerry Trewern, Director of the Diploma, to find out more about the work being done in this area. 

‘Asynchronous’ (pre-recorded) lectures are supported by live Zoom tutorials and learning activities.  In addition to academic provision, the Diploma team wanted to recreate opportunities in the online space for students to interact with tutors and peers.  With this in mind, Kerry’s team rolled out a series of online forums to cater to various academic and pastoral needs.  The first forum was a fortnightly virtual meet-up, at which students could speak to senior tutors on the Diploma and have queries about course work answered.  

A weekly general forum was also put in place, and was attended by members of the DPLP team such as Kerry and Deputy Director Rhona McNair, to answer more general questions students might have about their studies. Finally, a social committee was set up and is now run by students, to allow individuals to interact with peers in an informal environment.  ‘Quizmas’, a festive quiz for tutors, students and the DPLP team, will feature as one of the social highlights of the online calendar. 

Additional resource has been allocated to focus on student networking and employability activities, in the absence of in-person activities such as the 'Glasgow Legal Network' events.  The Diploma team has also launched a mentoring system which matches up students with legal practitioners.  The activity is driven by the mentor and mentee, who decide mutually how long the working relationship will last and what the mentee’s aims will be.  In addition to this programme, the Diploma is also undertaking a series of short podcast interviews with working lawyers, who share their thoughts on the profession.  The podcast series will launch in January 2021.  If you would be interested in participating in either of these initiatives, please get in touch with a member of the Diploma team who can provide you with more information: law-dip-legal-practice@glasgow.ac.uk. 

The whole DPLP team - both staff and students - have shown just how adaptable and creative they can be in finding new ways of working. That must surely be good news for the legal profession as it also adjusts to the challenges and opportunities of remote working. 

First published: 2 December 2020

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