Surveying Law Student Technology, Learning Behaviors and Preferences

A review of the literature indicates a lack of research relating to the information and social computing habits of U.S. law students.  We believe that current data on these habits, as they relate to  incoming first year law students, as well as to second and third year law students, is of tremendous use to the Academic Law Library Community.  Conducting a focused survey of incoming and advanced law students can aid library staff in decisions relating to the implementation and use of web 2.0 technologies, collection development/management, methods of legal research instruction, as well best practices for student outreach and patron services.

 Biddle Law Library at the University of Pennsylvania has conducted such a survey of students for the past three years.   We would like to expand the scope of that study and include several law schools from around the United States.

 In this presentation we will describe the survey instrument; review some of the findings from the multiyear study of Penn Law students; demonstrate a revised version of the survey; administer the survey to the audience by means of “clicker” technology; and discuss the possibility of partnering with additional schools throughout the country in a wider survey.  A broader study would result in possible publications and a proposed panel for the 2011 AALL Meeting which will be held in Philadelphia.

Presentation Participants:

 Michael G. Barton
Research and Instructional Services Librarian
Earle Mack School of Law
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 Edwin J. Greenlee
Associate Director for Public Services
Biddle Law Library
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 Jordon Steele
Archivist
Biddle Law Library
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania