Not all CALI lessons follow a straightforward, linear path. While some lessons may seem linear to students, many offer the empowering flexibility to create complex branching scenarios. This unique feature allows students to ‘choose their own path’ based on their responses, putting them in control of their learning journey and keeping them engaged.
When faculty members log into the CALI website, they can access a comprehensive map and the full text of any lesson. These features, exclusively available to faculty, provide valuable insights into the structure of each lesson. The map enables faculty to see where lessons branch or skip sections, enhancing their ability to effectively guide students through the material. Faculty members play a crucial role in this process, using the branching questions to mimic the Socratic method often used in class discussions, enabling more nuanced and personalized learning experiences.
For students, making a wrong choice in CALI lessons triggers a series of follow-up questions that serve as a supportive guide. These questions not only help students understand why their choice was incorrect but also provide a comforting safety net, gently guiding them back on track and reassuring them in their learning process.
A recent example of the complexity that CALI lessons can achieve is evident in Professor David Welkowitz’s revised lesson on Civil Procedure – Joinder. As part of CALI’s extensive revision project, my team and I reviewed this lesson to catch any lingering typos. During our review, we found ourselves looping through one of the questions. To better understand the structure, I mapped out the question’s path from the central question through all the follow-up questions, accounting for every possible choice a student could make. This exercise highlighted how students’ decisions—driven by their understanding and analysis—determine their unique path through the lesson.
