Informit Explore - Law Webinar
Introduction
Explore is a research database specifically designed for secondary schools, aggregating authoritative content from academic journals, legal periodicals, case studies, and media. It offers a wide range of educational resources curated within subject and topic categories, all aligned to version 9 of the Australian Curriculum.
Law is one of the key subject areas in Explore, offering comprehensive content that covers essential topics in law, from foundational legal principles to contemporary legal issues. Explore can be used by students, educators, and legal enthusiasts to deepen their understanding of the law and its application in real-world contexts.
This guide will help you understand how Explore can be used effectively in Legal Studies, whether you’re an educator, a student, or simply someone interested in law.
Topic Coverage of the Legal Studies Curriculum
Explore’s content aligns directly with the Australian Legal Studies curriculum, providing a wealth of resources on core topics such as:
- The Australian Legal System: Structure of Government, Sources of Law, Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law: Types of Crimes, The Criminal Justice System, Rights of Individuals
- Civil Law: Dispute Resolution, Types of Civil Cases, Remedies (compensation, injunctions)
- Human Rights Law: Rights and Freedoms, International Treaties, Human Rights Law
- Law Reform: Processes of Law Reform, Justice, and Equity
- International Law: Treaties and Conventions, Global Issues
- Contemporary Legal Issues: Emerging Areas of Law, Debates
- Legal Institutions and Personnel: Courts, Tribunals, Legal Aid, and Representation
These topics cover both traditional areas of law as well as contemporary issues like human rights, criminal justice, law reform, and international legal frameworks. Within each of these categories, Explore provides access to curated content, such as articles, journals, case studies, and multimedia, all of which are relevant for secondary school studies.
Using Explore for Critical Analysis of Legal Issues
Explore doesn’t just provide content—it encourages critical analysis and in-depth research. For Legal Studies educators and students, Explore is an excellent resource for tackling complex legal issues and engaging with contemporary debates. Explore’s Issue Pages—which address broad, thematic issues—serve as an excellent entry point for deep research and classroom discussion.
Example Topics for Critical Analysis:
- Health: The 'Health' page in Explore features articles on topics like the trauma-informed approach of drug courts, the economic returns of drug prevention programs, and debates about the effectiveness of the war on drugs.
- Indigenous Studies: The ‘Indigenous Studies’ page covers key legal issues surrounding many areas related to Indigenous communities, such as Voice to Parliament, Aboriginal deaths in custody, Land Rights and Treaty, to name a few. Human Rights and Social Justice: The ‘Society’ page addresses key legal issues and their impact on society at large, such as Asylum Seekers, Hate Speech, Homelessness and Police Powers.
By using Explore’s Issue Pages, students can develop key skills such as:
- Ethical Understanding: Examining the moral and legal responsibility in issues such as human rights, drug policy, or social justice.
- Critical Thinking: Evaluating legal reforms and their implications on society, as well as engaging in debates and discussions.
- Empathy and Social Awareness: Understanding the social and economic factors influencing legal decisions and the lived experiences of different communities.
Informit’s Legal Content
In addition to topic pages, Explore provides access to AGIS (Australian Legal Information Service), a comprehensive resource that includes legal articles, journals, and case law from across Australia. AGIS is particularly useful for secondary students who need to access authoritative legal content, including:
- Key Legal Journals: These include peer-reviewed articles from esteemed publications, which explore all areas of Australian law, from criminal justice to human rights.
- Case Law: Explore offers access to legal case studies, such as landmark cases like Eddie Mabo or The Mabo Decision, which have shaped Australian law and continue to inform legal practice and education.
Explore’s legal content helps students gain familiarity with the structure and terminology of Australian law, as well as the research methodologies used by legal professionals. This can be especially valuable as students begin transitioning from secondary to tertiary study in law.
Using Explore to Develop Legal Research Skills
Explore is not just for reading and comprehension of topical issues – it's also a powerful tool for developing research skills crucial for Legal Studies.
Key Research Tools:
- Keyword Search: Easily find relevant articles, case law, and commentary on specific legal topics, such as "youth crime" or "constitutional law."
- Advanced Search: For more targeted research, use Explore’s advanced search function to refine results based on publication type, date, or legal subject. Students can also use Boolean operators to narrow or expand their searches.
- Canned Searches: Pre-configured searches on topic pages direct students and educators to key articles and legal materials quickly.
By using Explore’s advanced search functions, students can conduct independent research, evaluate different legal perspectives, and develop a nuanced understanding of specific legal issues or case law.
Example Search Scenarios:
- Researching Human Rights: Search for "Indigenous rights and the law" or "refugees and human rights" to explore Australian perspectives on international legal issues.
- Exploring Case Law: Searching for "Eddie Mabo case" will return articles, case studies, and analyses, helping students understand the context and legal ramifications of landmark cases.
By mastering these research functions, students can enhance their ability to find, analyse, and present legal information—skills that are directly transferable to university-level legal studies.
Professional Development for Teachers
Explore is not just a resource for students – it’s also a valuable tool for Legal Studies educators. Teachers can access professional development resources and teaching materials that will help them stay current with developments in Australian law.
Explore provides access to legal journals, lesson plans, teaching guides, and much more, making it easy to create engaging lessons that encourage critical thinking, debate, and independent research.
Teachers can use Explore to:
- Stay updated on changes to the legal system and emerging legal issues.
- Incorporate real-world case studies and contemporary legal challenges into lessons.
- Create classroom activities that foster critical legal thinking, ethical understanding, and collaboration.
Conclusion
Explore is an essential resource for Legal Studies educators and students alike, offering easy access to authoritative legal content, critical resources for legal research, and opportunities for students to develop the skills needed for success in both secondary and tertiary legal studies. From constitutional law to human rights, and from criminal justice to emerging legal issues, Explore can help foster a deeper understanding of the law and its role in society.