Program Types & Tips Law Day Technology Surf the Web The World Wide Web connects hundreds of thousands of computers the world over and contains information on every type of product and service imaginable. Organizations ranging from governmental and academic institutions to businesses can establish a site or "home page" to make their information available. Now what does this have to do with Law Day? Since access to the Web is open to anyone connected to the Internet -- supported by the fact that you are here now reading this! -- putting your Law Day information on the Web will mean your program or products will be made available to a huge audience. If you or your organization already have a Web home page, you can simply add your Law Day information to that page or create your own special Law Day page. If you do not have access through your own organization, remember that nearly all cities, governmental organizations, academic institutions as well as most law firms and larger libraries have access to the Web. You might be able to have your Law Day program put "on-line" as a public service to your community through one of these sources. Since so many individuals have access to the Web, getting your program on-line may be as simple as asking one of your organization's or committee's members to post the information for you. Of course, you can always link up to the ABA's home page to keep abreast of events, products and information about Law Day programs and other ABA projects. The main address is http://www.abanet.org. More about using the Internet to extend reach As more people gain access to the Internet, Law Day program coordinators are taking advantage of this tool to communicate information about activities and offer lesson plans or law-related information via the Web. Law Day chairs can set up a listserve (electronic mailing list) to make it easy to e-mail Law Day updates to committee members, volunteers, educators, and special guests on a regular basis. Through the Web, they can survey potential participants and then design a program that meets their needs or track results after Law Day to improve future programs. Law Day planners can put information on a Law Day website about how the legal system works or state-specific laws, which educators and members of the general public can then download. Through a Law Day website, you can make mock trial scripts, interesting cases, innovative lesson plans, and even artwork available to classroom volunteers or teachers at the click of a mouse. Some programs have paired lawyers and students who e-mail each other throughout the academic year and then get together in person on Law Day. Of course, you’ll want to put in plenty of links to other sites to help Web surfers find additional legal information or learn about other Law Day programs in their area. Whether advertising your program, finding out about other programs in your community or accessing the ABA's public education home page for more planning ideas, utilizing the Web is great way to increase public awareness and the effectiveness of your Law Day program. Teleconferencing Setting up a State-wide "Town Hall" meeting Another way to use technology to expand your Law Day program is to utilize your state's interactive video network. Often these networks can be accessed at colleges, universities or even your local court. Such a hook-up can add excitement and diversity to panel discussions and "town-hall" meetings. In many locations, it is also possible to connect or "uplink" a program to a satellite. This makes it easier for more people to access your program. The cost of such services vary. However, such a program can usually be organized for under $1,000. For information on organizing a teleconference and satellite uplinks, you should contact your state telecommunications board and/or a local college or university. If you plan on organizing a program through the local court, you may wish to contact the National Center for State Courts which sponsors technology seminars on a regular basis. They can be reached at 800/616-6160. Reaching the Community Home | Program Types & Tips Home