How to embed creativity more fully into university curricula Five key strategies to enhance student creativity through university curricula that encourage exploration and enquiry Gareth LoudonRoyal College of Art
Blended learning is so bland − we need to punk things upJust like musicians on tour, we must focus more on delivery and start holding ourselves to the same standards as any broadcaster or media company, says Jonathan WilsonJonathan WilsonRegent’s University London
Students as educators: the value of assessed blogs to showcase learningAssessed blogs can help translate the thrill of interactive learning into tangible outcomes that enrich and showcase students’ knowledge. Here’s how to do itMatt DaviesUniversity of Chester
We must help our students make this a ‘summer of self-love’It would be wise to keep an eye on our students over the coming months, as the period after lockdown typically brings intense emotional responses, says Bertus JeronimusBertus JeronimusUniversity of Groningen
Want to be a better teacher? My daughter showed me we need to play moreTesting silly ideas and pushing boundaries are crucial − and liberating − but universities must provide digital spaces where we can do so freely, says Andy FarnellAndy FarnellVisiting professor
Choppy digital waters lie ahead for many storied institutionsTraditional universities are too often led by the interests of lecturers rather than the employment needs of students or recruitment needs of businesses, says Dilshad SheikhDilshad SheikhArden University
Developing an educational app to engage students in the world around themNiki Vermeulen and Kate Bowell describe a creative approach to place-based learning involving an app that offers educational walking tours linking students’ studies to the world around themKate Bowell, Niki VermeulenThe University of Edinburgh
Three video techniques for increasing student engagementJoe Arton shares three evidence-based techniques for creating teaching and learning videos that will improve student engagement and learning outcomesJoe ArtonThe University of Edinburgh
Creative ways to boost student learning through community-based projects Jamie Darwen explains how community projects offer creative and practical ways to enhance student learning and shares advice on building successful partnerships outside the university Jamie DarwenUniversity of the West of England Bristol
Embedding peer support among students in large online lectures David Quinn explains how strategies that work in person to facilitate active participation and peer support among students can be adapted to large online lecturesDavid QuinnThe University of Edinburgh
Blended learning should be embraced for the benefit of allBy using online capabilities, higher education could be transformed from a privilege into a basic human right for anyone who wants it, says Sir Tim O’SheaTim O'SheaKortext
Pronouncing students’ names correctly: the whys and howsXin Xu, Natasha Robinson and Niall Winters explain why correctly articulating students’ names is so important to an inclusive learning environment, and provide practical tips for pronouncing Chinese namesXin Xu, Natasha Robinson, Niall WintersUniversity of Oxford
Scaling up student support servicesSuzanne Mitchell advises on how to scale up student support services, using technology that provides multiple communications channels and early warning systems to assist specialist staff teamsSuzanne MitchellArden University
Striving for imperfection: introducing randomness into virtual experiments Rachel Martins explains how she introduced random error into her lab simulations when teaching online physics, to better replicate real-world experiments for her students Rachel MartinsLeeds International Study Centre
We shouldn’t confuse online engagement with logging inWhen assessing the all-important ‘engagement’ metric, the sector often defaults to the crude measurement of attendance − which is clearly flawed, says Chris HeadleandChris HeadleandUniversity of Lincoln
Enabling staff-student co-creation of experiential learning at scale Simon Riley and Gavin McCabe share a reflective learning and assessment framework for staff and students to co-create experiential learning that is scalable and effective Simon Riley, Gavin McCabeThe University of Edinburgh
Teaching at scale: reaching all your students in large classes Heather McQueen explains how lecturers can fulfil their responsibility to facilitate learning for all students, particularly in large classes where individual student contact is minimal Heather McQueenThe University of Edinburgh
How to develop inclusive reading lists for distance and blended learning Jude Wilson offers advice on how academics can work with their university library teams to ensure course reading lists are accessible and inclusive for all students Jude Wilson Arden University
Playing the field: how virtual field trips can benefit student learning now and in futureTheresa Mercer and colleagues explain how to develop virtual field trips that support in-person learning, boost accessibility and help future-proof teaching against unforeseen challengesTheresa Mercer University of Lincoln
Monitoring student engagement via online teaching toolsMaurice Kinsella and colleagues offer practical advice on using the virtual learning environment (VLE) tools to monitor student engagement and focus support efforts where they are needed Maurice Kinsella, Niamh Nestor, John WyattUniversity College Dublin
Is it possible to think big thoughts virtually?When discussing complex problems online, without the ability to read the room, the focus often shifts to what can be achieved rather than taking risks, says Donna MurrayDonna MurrayThe University of Edinburgh
Government needs to step up in the student retention battleThe higher education sector needs the resources to get better at spotting students at risk of falling behind or dropping out altogether, says John CouperthwaiteJohn CouperthwaiteEcho360
It’s time for the media to work with universities, not against usThe next school year is going to be challenging enough as it is without the skewed and absolutist coverage we’ve seen in the media lately, says Harriet Dunbar-MorrisHarriet Dunbar-MorrisThe University of Portsmouth
Collaborating with employers to create work-ready graduatesPaula Reilly explains how universities can work with employers and students to shape curricula and courses that better prepare graduates for the future workplacePaula ReillyArden University
Five shifts to consider for building a better learning environment Kyriaki Papageorgiou outlines shifts in higher education that should help academics in designing more effective teaching and in recognising what areas need in-person instruction and what can be done online Kyriaki PapageorgiouEsade
How universities can ensure they have a positive impact on local communitiesJane Robinson offers advice on developing effective ‘civic engagement’ strategies to ensure universities have a positive long-term impact on local communitiesJane RobinsonNewcastle University
Don’t be fooled – community outreach can be even better onlineCovid and the move online made audiences even larger for our student-led social media workshops aimed at local businesses, say Dennis Olsen and Kristin BreweDennis Olsen, Kristin BreweUniversity of West London
How to embed public engagement into your teaching and research activities Carenza Lewis shares a step-by-step guide for embedding public engagement into your institution’s research and teaching Carenza LewisUniversity of Lincoln
Making large-scale civic engagement projects a reality Matthew Andrews offers advice on how universities should approach ambitious large-scale civic engagement projects to bring plans to fruition Matthew AndrewsUniversity of Gloucestershire
Three steps to successful rapid-response civic engagement with students Kathleen Riach outlines key lessons from successfully leading a rapid-response civic engagement project with students to help over 50s gain better digital accessKathleen RiachUniversity of Glasgow
Dead rank? Non-native speakers losing out on local dialects onlineLet’s face it, the virtual classroom isn’t the best environment for international students to get to grips with linguistic diversity, says Andrew MackenzieAndrew MackenzieBritish Council
Three things to think about when returning to campusEmily Walker puts forward three key considerations to help staff mentally prepare themselves for returning to a campus that may have a very different look and feelEmily WalkerLiverpool John Moores University
Directing research to engage and support local communities How can academics shape their research around key community needs and encourage participation from multidisciplinary faculty, students and local people? Helen Szoor-McElhinney and colleagues offer insight Helen Szoor-McElhinney, Alette Willis, Liam GilchristThe University of Edinburgh
Don’t forget that not all internet access is created equal Broadband quality, and thus suitability for online tuition, varies greatly depending on where students come from, say Darragh Flannery, Dónal Palcic and John CullinanDarragh Flannery, Donal Palcic, John CullinanUniversity of Limerick, National University of Ireland Galway
Instructional design advice: how to translate your academic knowledge into an effective online course Instructional designer Marcello Crolla talks through the basics of how to create effective, engaging online courses Marcello CrollaThe University of Edinburgh
Open to all? Using our physical and digital spaces to better engage local communities Richard Calvert explores what role universities’ physical spaces should play in civic engagement and how digital technologies can support this Richard CalvertSheffield Hallam University
Campus webinar: Innovative teachingAs we emerge from the pandemic, what innovations in online teaching have come about in the last year? Four experts in digital and teaching innovation from the UK and US discuss effective ways of teaching that harness new technological toolsSarah Dyer, Dale Johnson, Agnes Kukulska-Hulme, Ian TurnerThe University of Exeter, Arizona State University, The Open University, University of Derby
Overcoming barriers to accessible and inclusive digital learningTim Coughlan offers three key strategies that help to make digital learning more accessible and inclusive, each relating to technology, study support and pedagogyTim CoughlanThe Open University
Are online exams better for student mental health?Traditional exams under tightly invigilated conditions are highly stressful for students, but online alternatives bring their own issues, says Michael PriestleyMichael PriestleyDurham University
The joy of text in a world of tech zealotry Why do we fetishise high-tech teaching while denigrating reading as a second-rate learning style? asks Andy FarnellAndy FarnellCampus
Designing postgraduate education as a means of sharing and developing academic and professional knowledge Gill Aitken and Tim Fawns explain how to design online postgraduate courses that operate at the boundaries of the academic and professional worldsGill Aitken, Tim FawnsThe University of Edinburgh
It’s a game changer: using design thinking to find solutions to the Sustainable Development GoalsRachel Bickerdike explains how using design thinking to find solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals can open up a new world of social entrepreneurship for students Rachel Bickerdike Durham University
Professors, stop pretending that you never cheatAcademics should drop the holier-than-thou attitude and look at cheating from a student’s perspective if we want to understand and eradicate it, says Hamish BinnsHamish BinnsSaint Louis University
It’s not you, it’s me: taking responsibility for student engagement and interaction Maia Forrester and Ian Lee share lessons in boosting student engagement and interaction when teaching online, based on their experience training medical educators Maia Forrester, Ian LeeThe University of Edinburgh
How do we rescue the reputation of blended learning?To convince students and stakeholders that blended learning is worth the full tuition fee, we need to tell them exactly how it will work, says Russell CrawfordRussell CrawfordFalmouth University
How resetting motivations can help faculty achieve better teaching and well-being during challenging times Faculty members’ personal motivations impacted their attitudes towards meeting the challenges of the pandemic, and in turn, their well-being and teaching quality, research suggests Martin Daumiller, Raven Rinas, Julia Hein, Stefan Janke, Oliver Dickhäuser, Markus DreselUniversity of Augsburg, University of Mannheim
Recognition of academia’s ‘invisible labour’ is long overdueWe must ensure that academic citizenship becomes a key part of our job descriptions, on par with teaching, research and management, say Shari Boodts and Fleur JongepierShari Boodts, Fleur JongepierRadboud University
Boosting student motivation through course design Maurice Kinsella and Niamh Nestor explain how to use self-determination theory as a guide to boost student motivation through careful online course designMaurice Kinsella, Niamh Nestor, John WyattUniversity College Dublin
Moving online could signal the death of pedagogyShifting to andragogical learning models is the ideal way to prepare students for independent study, research and the world of work, says Steve DaviesSteve DaviesUniversity of South Wales
When East meets West: improving student engagement in culturally diverse classrooms TJ Moore offers simple steps that support student engagement across Eastern and Western cultural boundaries, for lecturers teaching at home or overseasTJ MooreThe University of Edinburgh
