If you’re trying to meet your legal credit requirements but are struggling to find time to attend live presentations, you don’t have to worry. There are many online CLE programs out there that bridge the gap. You can complete these from your couch and you don’t have to break your bank open to sign up for them. Did you know that a study on eLearning courses conducted by WR Hambrecht & Co. showed that learning retention rates went higher by 25 to 60% for online programs when compared to traditional CLE courses? There’s more evidence backing this up through other studies too.
The more important question is – how do you know they’re worth the money? Here’s how you know whether or not your online CLE curriculum is cutting-edge and truly the industry-standard.
1. On-Demand and Flexible
Most attorneys don’t have the time to set schedules. When you’re busy with your practice, you go looking for courses that meet your requirements. On-demand CLE programs employ a constantly updating catalog of legal content and give you access to a library of learning resources. You should be able to give tests, get personalized feedback and interact with your peers via virtual classrooms. And all this based on your own schedule and pacing while not missing out on your CLE credits.
2. Get Certificates In Real-Time
The course you apply for on a legal platform should be able to conduct tests in real-time. You should be able to track your CLE credits live and also verify or track your certificates of completion. Discussions, live lectures and being able to connect with your mentors are other aspects you have to look for in reliable courses. High-quality online CLE courses are run by professional attorneys who have extensive industry experience in their practice areas.
3. Available Across Different States
Besides having an experienced faculty, your CLE program should be accessible across different states. The course should satisfy your state’s credit requirement, along with your ethics credits requirements. CLE Bundle Courses are a good way to meet these needs as they include both state and ethics credits.
4. Accessible On Different Media
This may sound obvious, but you should be able to access your online CLE program not only from your desktop but via your Android and iOS smartphones or tablets too. You should be able to view lectures on your tablet and your entries or notes should be stored in the cloud. Live lectures and virtual presentations should be presented in a high-definition format with crystal clear audio. And the dashboard on the platform should show you your course progress. Good courses give you instant certification the minute you complete them and pass the tests. And learners aren’t limited to the number of credits, being able to attend as many courses as they want, thus helping them expand their legal knowledge and expertise.
If it’s your first time signing up for an on-demand CLE course online, be sure to look up the state’s credit requirements. This will give you a good idea of your time commitment and learning schedule. Be sure to talk to the instructors who run the course to find out more details and get insider advice. Don’t forget to inquire about teleconferences since these virtual meetings help clarify your doubts and fill any knowledge gaps. The best part about mobile-ready CLE courses is you can work on them not just from your home but the office or while you’re on the go too!
