Learning law through experience and the development of competencies

the case of the law school at Uniandes

Abstract

This article examines the curricular transformation of the undergraduate programme at the Uniandes School of Law, highlighting the creation and implementation of the Eje Transversal de Aprendizaje Jurídico Experiencial (AJET). This innovative educational proposal is framed within a new competency-based curriculum that emphasises experiential learning, drawing on the theories of David Kolb, John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and others. Through three key types of courses or stages —projects, litigation, and clinics— AJET integrates active methodologies such as problem oriented project-based learning (PO-PLB), simulations, and law clinic training. This approach not only responds to the demands of an ever-changing legal environment but also promotes ethical and socially responsible training. The article discusses the importance of competency-based education, highlighting its advantages over content-centred education, and the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of AJET. The conclusion emphasises how this educational transformation prepares future lawyers to effectively and ethically face contemporary challenges, setting a new standard in legal education.