Sarah Withnall Howe

This project responds to the post-pandemic decline in student engagement in first-year law units by developing a targeted, technology-enhanced teaching strategy. Led by Senior Lecturer Sarah Withnall Howe, the initiative centres on the Student Learning Engagement Assessment Item (SLEAI)—a low-stakes, scaffolded assessment model designed to promote consistent participation and support the development of foundational legal skills.

The project integrates EchoVideo and EchoPoll technologies to create interactive, segmented lecture recordings. These videos introduce key legal concepts in manageable portions and embed real-time polling questions that require students to apply content immediately, reinforcing analytical thinking and modelling incremental engagement. This approach encourages active listening, reflection, and early preparation for major assessments.

Complementing the video strategy are Workshop SLEAIs, which prompt students to submit short written responses to workshop content. These are designed to consolidate learning, foster legal writing skills, and provide early feedback on student progress. Together, these techniques form a cohesive learning structure that supports confidence, competence, and continuous engagement.

Applied across multiple unit iterations, the strategy has led to measurable improvements in attendance, assignment submission, exam readiness, and academic performance. Students have responded positively to the clarity, flexibility, and structure of the learning experience. The initiative has been recognised nationally and internationally, supported by an EchoImpact Grant, and disseminated through conferences and publications, including the Western Australian Law Teachers’ Review.