Abstract:

The paper describes a teaching innovation experience consisting in the use of Twitter as a learning tool. The students are registered in a course on Spanish tort law, where they basically learn the structure of functioning of rules of compensation for accidents caused by risky activities. Therefore it is essential that concepts like risk are studied and analysed, since the presence of risk usually entails that a special rule of liability is applied. The students are expected to learn what instances of liability based on risk exist at the present time under Spanish law. However, there may also be some instances where liability is not established by the legislature and, in spite of that, one could consider as appropriate that liability is based on risk as well. The main consequence which derives from this basic question is that liability may be imposed on the liable person irrespective of whether he or she behaved in a negligent way, i.e., what is called 'strict liability' (or 'Gefährdungshaftung' in Germany, or 'responsabilidad objetiva' in Spain).

The learning innovation experience consists in using electronic tools in order to organize an activity, in which they are invited to reflect on the contents of the course and also to produce content themselves. Using a platform of micro-blogging like Twitter, the students have to engage in a debate on the activities where risk-based liability can or should be established. Specific rules are laid down before starting the activity and the students must abide by them.

The paper describes such a student activity, the rules which govern it, how it has worked in practice, what results were obtained, and formulates proposals for improvement in the future.

Keywords:

Twitter, law, tort, learning.