Students as reflective practitioners: a personal development journeyProfessional development is often taken for granted and seldom well embedded into university curricula. Alexandra Mihai looks at how intentional learning design can help make it an integral part of students’ learning experienceAlexandra MihaiMaastricht University
Research time disappearing before your eyes? Try student collaborationsWorking alongside students can help academics to both protect their research time and boost student employability, say Dean Fido and Louise WallaceDean Fido, Louise WallaceUniversity of Derby
My Christmas wish? Wider recognition that blended is different from onlineFollowing two years of disruption and jumping between modes of delivery, many students and staff seem to be – incorrectly – conflating blended with online, says Harriet Dunbar-MorrisHarriet Dunbar-MorrisThe University of Portsmouth
Creating worthwhile multiple choice questions for higher education assessmentMultiple choice questions are often frowned on as an assessment tool in higher education. But when well constructed, they offer a clear and transparent way of evaluating student progress, as Anthony Evans explainsAnthony J EvansESCP Business School
Using community-based research projects to motivate learning among engineering studentsTrithos Kamsuwan explains how community-based research projects can be used to motivate students, creating opportunities to apply principles they have learned in class to solve real-world problemsTrithos Kamsuwan Siam University
Foster mentorship skills to create the socially responsible leaders of the futureInstitutions should look to set up mentorship practices that help students develop the skills they will need to create successful and sustainable companies. Laura-Jane Silverman explains howLaura-Jane Silverman The London School of Economics and Political Science
Collecting data on our students is the only way forwardUbiquitous data collection will give rise to large datasets, which can help improve outcomes for all students – especially those most in need, says Daphne KollerDaphne KollerStanford University
Building student identities as learners, not consumers, for better academic outcomesStudents who think and act like consumers have worse academic outcomes, research shows. Louise Taylor Bunce shares practical steps to help build students’ identities as learners rather than as consumers of educationLouise Taylor BunceOxford Brookes University
THE Campus top 10 most-read higher education resources of 2021A round-up of the most in-demand advice and opinion shared on THE Campus in the past year, addressing university teaching, research and much moreMiranda PrynneCampus
Cybersecurity in the HE sector – getting the basics rightManaging security updates, vulnerability reviews, password policies and multi-factor authentication are staple university needs, says Clive MaddersClive MaddersCyber Tec Security
Transitioning to a PhD: common struggles and how to overcome themCamille Bou outlines the key struggles she encountered during the first year of her PhD and shares useful insight on how she overcame themCamille BouThe London School of Economics and Political Science
Why do we expect students to work well in groups if we don’t teach them how?If we’re going to assign team projects, and if we really believe working well in a group is important, we must teach effective group processes, says Todd ZakrajsekTodd ZakrajsekUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
How to support academic staff starting the journey of decolonising the curriculumHow do you support the endeavours of academic staff and build student voice into an institution-wide effort to decolonise the curriculum? Mhairi Taylor and Nighet Riaz share lessons from the University of Glasgow’s action planMhairi Taylor, Nighet RiazUniversity of Glasgow
Is your curriculum design limiting students’ learning potential?All too often, insufficient emphasis is placed on development of the self-regulatory skill sets that students need most in order to do well, says Carol EvansCarol EvansCardiff University, University of Southampton
Lessons from organising a virtual international student camp focused on sustainabilityYhing Sawheny and Ashutosh Mishra offer advice on organising a virtual international event after bringing students together online to hone their leadership skills in sustainabilityYhing Sawheny, Ashutosh MishraSiam University
Ten useful tips for teaching a hybrid course for the first timeLaura Patricia Zepeda Orantes shares recommendations for delivering hybrid courses, especially for teachers who are new to this way of workingLaura Patricia Zepeda Orantes Tecnológico de Monterrey
If universities push staff towards social media, they must protect them, tooAt the very least, there should be training on managing online discourse, blocking tools and recognising when ‘robust debate’ becomes abuse or libel, says Andy PhippenAndy PhippenBournemouth University
It’s time to tackle perfectionism head-on in the classroomPerfectionism has long been the norm in academia. To combat it, we must offer help before it has to be asked for, say Laura March and Maggie MeloLaura March, Maggie MeloUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
What to do when technology fails: an educator’s survival guide for online classroomsJack Wang offers seven solutions to common tech problems during online teaching – from slow internet connection to lack of resourcesJack WangThe University of Queensland
Researchers are too critical – we need to give ourselves (and others) a breakIt doesn’t have to be like this. Critical thinking means looking for the evidence – that is evidence both for and against, says Hugh KearnsHugh KearnsFlinders University
Using meta-reflection for professional development: how to tap into the full potential of online discussion forumsAdrian Lam offers guiding questions and prompts that help students reflect on their own ways of thinking and working to aid their professional growthAdrian Man-Ho LamThe University of Hong Kong
Universal design for learning: an introduction and getting startedUniversal design for learning offers ways to plan teaching and learning to accommodate diverse students and help learners develop the self-efficacy they need to be successful, says Dara CassidyDara CassidyRCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Building an inclusive learning community to deliver a race equality curriculumRicardo Barker and Syra Shakir reflect on how to set up a curriculum that engages everybody in conversations about race equalityRicardo Barker , Syra ShakirLeeds Trinity University
Using technology to revolutionise the way you evaluateEven amid the great shift online, assessment methods have often remained mired in the traditional system, says Monica Francesca ContrinoMonica Francesca Contrino Tecnológico de Monterrey
What can universities learn from Amazon?From putting the customer first to the buzzword that is ‘fulfilment’, there’s much to be gleaned from the way Amazon and its ilk embraced digital technology, says Peter VervestPeter VervestErasmus University Rotterdam
Inclusive pedagogy: using multimedia as a tool to enhance and transform assessmentRachel Challen outlines key steps to enhancing the design, direction and delivery of assessment using digital toolsRachel ChallenNottingham Trent University
Feedback rather than ranking: how to start ungrading in order to improve learningKatharine Johanesen explains how to replace traditional grading with self-assessment and feedback throughout a course in order to improve learning outcomesKatharine JohanesenJuniata College
Education and grades are often in direct conflict – it’s time for a messy divorceUniversities don’t do a very good job of credentialing, and the process actively harms students and their learning, so why do we persist? asks Danny OppenheimerDanny Oppenheimer Carnegie Mellon University
Recommendations for incorporating and guiding peer assessment in the classroom or online Claudia Hernández and Karla Banda offer practical advice on how to incorporate and direct productive peer assessment among studentsClaudia Janeth Hernández Cardona, Karla Margarita Banda MartínezTecnológico de Monterrey
Say my name: the importance of correct terms, titles and pronunciationJane Bryan shares lessons in handling people’s names with respect and sensitivity, ensuring correct use and pronunciation to boost feelings of belonging within institutionsJane BryanThe University of Warwick
So, you want to take the grades out of teaching? A beginner’s guide to ungradingSusan D Blum shares her key recommendations for anyone wishing to remove grades from their teaching, in order to focus their students’ energies upon learning Susan D. BlumUniversity of Notre Dame
Keeping it real: bringing practical dimensions into online teaching Pamela Henderson sets out how to bring real world training into the online classroom by developing effective simulated case studies, based on her experience teaching lawPamela HendersonNottingham Trent University
How to make sure assessment practices are as authentic as possibleWe all want employers to be confident that students have the skills to do the job. And these skills still require assessment, it’s just done a little differently, says Paula ReillyPaula ReillyArden University
Turn the marking process on its head by using ‘reverse grading’Davita Günbay explains how reversing the narrative between ‘what I got’ and ‘what I was given’ can help learners engage and take responsibility for their learningDavita Günbay Near East University
Reopening and reconnecting: how to establish connection with first-years studying in the new normalAgnes Chikonzo offers three key ways that university services can engage students and give them a sense of belonging back on campusAgnes ChikonzoThe University of Zimbabwe
Embodied learning: how to bring movement into the classroom, and why it mattersSusan Hrach offers practical advice on using physical activity and outdoor space to enhance learningSusan HrachColumbus State University
The government needs to square its rhetoric on creative coursesUndervaluing the creative sector is nothing new, but the government also says it’s part of a ‘rich mix’ needed to deliver its ambitions. So which one is it, asks Paul ThompsonPaul ThompsonRoyal College of Art
How to revitalise student knowledge exchange with local communitiesHow co-creating an ‘umbrella’ programme can help institutions innovate student knowledge exchange and improve engagement with local communities and businesses, a team from Queen Mary University of London explainPatrick McGurk, Joanne Zhang, Fezzan Ahmed, Olivia ReidQueen Mary University of London
Classes need less focus on employability and more on profound learningClasses are sometimes the least transformative elements of what students experience at university. We need to change that, say Davin Carr-Chellman, Ali Carr-Chellman and Michael KrothDavin Carr-Chellman , Ali Carr-Chellman, Michael KrothUniversity of Dayton, University of Idaho
Assessment design that supports authentic learning (and discourages cheating)Catherine Wehlburg shares tips for creating a learning environment and assessment design that encourages authentic learning and reduces the temptation to cheatCatherine WehlburgAthens State University
Dragon’s zen: how to handle the jump from HE to a commercial ventureThe learning curve is steep when leaving academia for an entrepreneurial adventure. John Miles outlines what to expect and says the skills you learned as a researcher can helpJohn MilesInkpath
Equity, agency and transparency: making assessment work better for students and academics Carol Evans explains how to design assessment and feedback practices that are authentic and deepen students’ learning and confidence in the long term Carol EvansCardiff University, University of Southampton
Vivid language: teaching online students to assess writingAudra Spicer explains how online classes can provide opportunities to make student self-assessment visual, engaging, immediate and comprehensibleAudra SpicerColorado State University Global
Putting the case: campaigning documents as assessments on vocational degreesRuss Woodward looks at the merits and practicalities of using campaign-based assessments on vocational higher education coursesRussell WoodwardUniversity Centre, Grimsby: The TEC Partnership
Lessons learned from supervising more than 150 researchersThe transition from PhD candidate to ECR is when the relationship between researcher and supervisor comes to the fore, say Tara Moore and Louise RobertsonTara Moore, Louise RobertsonUlster University
How to deliver healthcare education in a hybrid worldHannah McGee explores solutions to address the unique challenges that universities face in preparing healthcare students for frontline rolesHannah McGeeRCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Creating equitable research partnerships across continentsShabbar Jaffar provides tips for successful international collaborations built on trust, appropriate recognition and inclusiveness in decision-makingShabbar JaffarLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine
In this together: developing meaningful community engagementAnna Walas offers advice for facilitating community engagement with research by considering ways in which effective engagement design can help overcome common barriersAnna WalasUniversity of Nottingham
Universities need to prepare for the mature student onslaughtHigher ed is notoriously bad at attracting and accommodating mature students. Given the workforce shifts spawned by the pandemic, this needs to change, says Dilshad SheikhDilshad SheikhArden University
How to be comfortable with uncomfortable conversationsRuth Woodfield outlines steps that academics, students and university staff can take to support and work through the discomfort of difficult discussionsRuth Woodfield University of St Andrews