Golden Gate University School of Law GGU Law Digital Commons Publications Faculty Scholarship 2006 Lawyers and Learning: A Metacognitive Approach to Legal Education Anthony S. Niedwiecki Golden Gate University School of Law,
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[email protected]. LAWYERS AND LEARNING: A METACOGNITIVE APPROACH TO LEGAL EDUCATION ANTHONY S. NIEDWIECKI* I. INTRODUCTION Think about when you were in high school algebra class and were taught how to use the quadratic formula.' You were likely given the formula and then the teacher showed the class how to solve a quadratic equation using a couple of examples. The teacher then would assign the class several problems to practice using the formula. The typical directions for the problems would include: Solve the following problems using the quadraticformula. You (successfully or not) put the numbers into the formula and developed an answer. Most of us, however, were never explicitly told when or why to use the quadratic equation or how the equation was developed. If asked today how to solve a quadratic equation, most of us would reply, "That is why I went to law school!" This process of rote practice is often replicated in many first year law classes.