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
Harnessing technology to support graduate employabilityAcademics and graduate recruitment experts discuss how digital education can best be used to support students in gaining the skills they will need in the future workplaceAndy Coxall, Stephen Isherwood, Chris Moule, Paul Marshall, Riddi ViswanathanCommon Purpose Student Experiences, The Institute of Student Employers, Robert Gordon University, University of East London , Generation Purple
Engaging students in collaborative learning tasks onlineDiana Laurillard presents ideas and tools for students to create their own digital products as part of a collaborative learning taskDiana LaurillardUCL
Five big questions about the future of digital education Four leading academics tackle five questions about online education covering assessment, content creation, data protection, digital natives and the future of universities Ellie Dommett, Rob Freathy, Allison Littlejohn, Tim O'SheaKing’s College London, The University of Exeter, UCL, Kortext
Designing online courses for better learning and well-being outcomes Matthew Barr describes how to design and deliver online teaching to support better learning and well-being for students who might otherwise feel isolated and disconnected Matthew Barr University of Glasgow
Using online coaching to support student well-being Helen Duff explains how a human approach to providing support online, in the form of coaching sessions, can have a powerful impact on student well-being Helen DuffArden University
Serious play: boosting engagement in online courses through games Gaming techniques should be taken seriously as a way to keep students engaged in online courses, explains Dario De Notaris, based on his research into improving Mooc completion ratesDario De NotarisUniversity of Naples Federico II
Digital methods of formative assessment that boost learningDiana Laurillard presents strategies for effective formative assessment when teaching online Diana LaurillardUCL
Short online courses can grease the wheels of student employabilityThe degree has transitioned from differentiating factor to basic benchmark. Online microcredentials can help graduates stand out from their rivals, says Madina TashMadina TashUniversity of Sussex
Back to the future: how blogs can revolutionise your classroomFrom assisting reflective learning to increasing engagement, do not overlook the humble blog amid the rush for the shiniest new online thing, says Dennis Relojo-HowellDennis Relojo-HowellThe University of Edinburgh
THE podcast: rethinking the internationalisation of higher educationHow should international study evolve post-pandemic in order to extend the benefits of higher education to every corner of the globe?Omolabake Fakunle , Benjamin Tak Yuen ChanThe University of Edinburgh, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Applying the Conversational Framework using an online learning design tool Diana Laurillard talks through how to use a free online learning design tool which applies the Conversational Framework to build courses using the six key learning types Diana LaurillardUCL
Digital-first thinking is needed to address youth employabilityYounger people are geared towards digital channels, so they’re more likely to engage with innovative, online training as part of their studies, says Harminder MatharuHarminder MatharuFutureLearn
Secure and transparent use of student data Bronwen Swinnerton and James Pickering outline the steps all universities should take to ensure ethical and transparent collection and use of student data via ed-tech platforms Bronwen Swinnerton, James PickeringUniversity of Leeds
Responsible use of learning analytics to improve the university experienceRebecca Ferguson presents useful guidelines and frameworks for using learner analytics safely and effectively to inform improvements to teaching and student servicesRebecca FergusonThe Open University
Cybersecurity is not just for the geeks in the IT departmentOur first-year university students might have received no education on cybersecurity since the age of 13, say Andy Phippen and Emma BondAndy Phippen, Emma BondBournemouth University, University of Suffolk
Online teaching tips to support student well-beingNatalie Kopytko provides practical tips to address student well-being via online teaching practices that can also benefit faculty Natalie KopytkoUniversity of Leeds
Zoom meetings don’t have to be quite so painfulSimple actions can help avoid common pitfalls in the design and execution of online team meetings, say Rob Angell and Ben MarderRob Angell, Ben MarderUniversity of Southampton, The University of Edinburgh
Forget everything you think you know about online engagementThere’s much interest in how many times students access the virtual learning environment or complete online tasks, but that only provides part of the picture, says Linda KayeLinda KayeEdge Hill University
Developing an explorer mindset to build resilience Developing an ‘explorer mindset’ can help faculty and students build resilience by moving from fear to curiosity, as Portia Hickey explains Portia HickeyThrive Matters
Online micro-learning can transform the teaching of sensitive topicsNon-linear course design means that emotive and uncomfortable content can be paused or skipped and returned to another time, says Gemma AhearneGemma AhearneUniversity of Liverpool
Cybersecurity in online learning Mohammed Rehman explains what steps universities should take to educate staff and students about cybersecurity and how to protect themselves when teaching and learning onlineMohammed Rehman Arden University
The sector should come together to welcome students back to campusUniversities wasted a lot of time developing individual online transition resources last year. Let’s not make the same mistake again, says Donna MurrayDonna MurrayThe University of Edinburgh
Fostering module consistency to aid learning Maurice Kinsella and John Wyatt explain how to keep a level of consistency throughout course modules that helps students achieve the desired learning outcomesMaurice Kinsella, John Wyatt, Niamh NestorUniversity College Dublin
Teaching students to think for themselves is not enoughThe critical thinking ideal is too individualistic and self-focused − students must learn to help others think well, too, says T. Ryan ByerlyT. Ryan ByerlyUniversity of Sheffield
Embracing a compassionate approach in higher education Caroline Harvey and Frances Maratos explain how to embed compassionate communication into higher education when teaching online Caroline Harvey, Frances MaratosUniversity of Derby
Only a digital drive will allow us to capture the boom in STEM interestWe certainly don’t want to turn away thousands of enthusiastic STEM students due to a lack of capacity, says Steve DaviesSteve DaviesUniversity of South Wales
How to use visual media to spur inquiry-based learning onlineNataša Lacković talks through an image-based concept inquiry cycle she has developed to use visual media as a learning tool onlineNataša Lacković Lancaster University
AI has been trumpeted as our saviour, but it’s complicatedTime saved by lecturers on marking assignments could indeed be used to enrich teaching, but unfortunately many silver linings have a cloud, says Harin SellahewaHarin SellahewaUniversity of Buckingham
Social sciences, humanities and arts are critical for sustainabilityThe neglect of social sciences, humanities and arts is at the heart of why the shift to sustainability has been slow − and why it may eventually fail, say Eric Neumayer and Charles JolyEric Neumayer, Charles JolyThe London School of Economics and Political Science