December 7, 2007

The training introduced seventeen judges from the Supreme Court of Georgia and Court of Appeals to innovative teaching techniques aimed at adult learners, and it encouraged them to diversify their teaching methods.

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and the German Technical Cooperation agency (GTZ) recently organized a four-day “train the trainers” program on interactive teaching methodology and curriculum writing for instructors at the High School of Justice of Georgia (HSOJ). The HSOJ is located in Tskaltubo, Georgia, and was organized to provide fourteen months of training for judicial candidates.  The first class began in the fall of 2007.  ABA ROLI is working to help the HSOJ provide instructors with the qualifications and skills to teach substantive law to adult students.  This is the first of three cumulative trainings planned in cooperation with GTZ for the school’s instructors.

The training introduced Georgian judges to innovative teaching techniques aimed at adult learners, and it encouraged them to diversify their teaching methods. Currently, most classes consist of lectures. More interactive teaching methodologies—including group discussions, role playing, and mock trials—will enhance the effectiveness of the lessons and therefore increase the volume of information retained by the trainees.

Seventeen judges from the Supreme Court of Georgia and Court of Appeals participated in this training. In fulfillment of the “train the trainers” approach, these newly trained judges will themselves train judicial candidates in the HSOJ. Former ABA ROLI liaison  and Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Judith Chirlin conducted the interactive teaching methodology part of the training. The curriculum writing sessions were lead by GTZ expert Judge Stephan Otto Schmitt.

For more information contact ABA ROLI Georgia Staff Attorney Irina Japharidze at irinaj@abarol.ge