Director of Education, TP Kennedy explains: “Bringing PPC 2 online is a historic day in the continuing development and modernisation of solicitor training in Ireland.
Enthusiastic
"We are delighted to welcome an enthusiastic group to PCC 2 online, and are fully committed to providing excellent professional training to our future solicitors.”
To date, online participation in PPC 2 has been very high, with 99% attending the welcoming lecture, 98% attending IT services and Zoom training tutorials, and 84% attending the first ‘Shrink Me Online’ sessions.
Trainee solicitor Tara O’Donoghue (Eugene F Collins) is part of the Law Society’s PPC 2 cohort adapting to the new online structure.
“The Law Society has recognised the challenges facing trainee solicitors during COVID-19 and has given us extensive training and guidance on how to best manage our new online timetable,” she said.
“After a few weeks of using Zoom to catch up with colleagues between e-lectures, it has now become second nature to send a link to friends or to our tutorial group,” she explain
Adapting and empowering
PPC 2 is a full-time, onsite training course at the Law Society that runs from April to July, where trainee solicitors return to Blackhall Place after a year of in-office training.
The new structure provides all the benefits of traditional face-to-face tuition, and a sense of connected learning within the Zoom classroom.
Frendliness
“PPC 2 has been adapted for online delivery, with an emphasis on usability, mobile friendliness and peer-to-peer engagement. The programme is designed to empower trainees, and provide access to lectures and course materials remotely, to be consumed at their own pace,” explained TP Kennedy.
“However, delivering online education is nothing new to the Law Society. In 2016 the Law Society became the first professional educator in Europe to receive the Apple Distinguished School award, and was recently reaccredited until 2021. The PPC II online structure is building on this foundation.
“We are utilising technology to do more than simply mimic standard lecture delivery,” said the director of education.
Minimise risks
“We are particularly focused on how to minimise the risks identified in taking an online course, which include isolation, unfamiliarity with technology and disengagement due to ineffective e-resources and instruction.”
Trainee solicitor Tara O’Donoghue explains how the Law Society is facilitating PPC 2 societal groups and encouraging engagement: “The Law Society has always provided funding for societies during PPC courses, and this hasn’t changed through COVID-19.
"We are delighted to receive support in setting up an online PPC 2 Sign Language course, which allows participation in specifically tailored sign-language classes for consultation with deaf clients in a legal setting.
“It is providing us with an opportunity to reassess our communication skills during online consultations, which will become increasingly the norm when meeting clients following our return to office after our PPC 2 exams,” she added.
Supporting positive mental wellbeing
“While we are using technology to meet the educational and extra-curricular needs of our trainees, we are also mindful of protecting their personal health and wellbeing,” said TP Kennedy.
“Throughout PPC 2, the Law Society is offering free time-concentrated therapy sessions, which support trainees in achieving positive mental wellbeing. The dedicated psychological services team provides counselling through confidential Zoom sessions, in compliance with the highest of clinical, safety and GDPR standards,“ he explained.
“’Shrink Me Online’ also provides a safe and positive platform for trainees to unlock their wellbeing through shared thoughts, ideas and engagement with the Law School community,” he added.