Legal matters for young companies: Helena Kowalewska Jahromi (#HK1)

Format

Lecture (as asynchronous as possible, exam prep via video conference) with final exam and weekly comprehension tests to confirm participation

Keywords

Lecture, video recording, interaction, AQUA, introduction

Description

In most cases, those who attend Studium Generale classes are just there to collect their credits. But maybe there really are a few participants who are interested in the subject? How can I engage these students and make a subject as (reputedly) dry as civil law fun for the others?

This lecture is aimed at students with no previous legal knowledge who want to know more about the legal framework governing self-employment. We therefore consider questions typically asked when starting a new business: How are employment contracts formed? What does patent or copyright law protect? What do I have to consider when carrying out transactions with consumers?

During the 2020 summer semester, I offered the lecture as an e-learning course for the first time. One benefit of recorded videos with PowerPoint presentations is that the students can watch the videos at a time and pace that suits them.

However, simply watching PowerPoint slides and listening to a commentary quickly becomes boring, so I used h5p (open source resource) to add interactive elements to the videos. Each unit contains some practice questions where the video automatically stops and a button pops up prompting students to answer questions and collect stars for correct answers. Each unit is also supplemented by a PDF document with step-by-step sample solutions for those taking the exam.

The units end with mini comprehension tests that remain available online for two weeks. These tests serve as confirmation of attendance (no matter the test results). They also help the participants to understand the content and prepare for the exam.

I was particularly pleased with the many questions and comments from students that I received via email and OPAL forum during the summer semester. The final exam showed that the preparation and effort put in to creating the course paid off.

Contact

Helena Kowalewska Jahromi, LL.M., Institute of International Law, Intellectual Property and Technology Law

Voting ID

#HK1