Pandemic teaching: storm clouds and silver linings Glenn Geher talks through the highs and lows of teaching during a pandemic and the lessons we can learn from them Glenn GeherState University of New York at New Paltz
Group work: improving communication, participation and dynamicsJonathan Sim offers three methods for facilitating effective group work by improving participation and communication between student peersJonathan SimNational University of Singapore
Funny memes and other ways to encourage students to keep their cameras onFrank R. Castelli offers advice from his evidenced-based strategy to get students to use their cameras without requiring itFrank R. CastelliCornell University
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
Upgrade your explainer videos with stock footage Kelvin Ke Jinde offers a step-by-step guide to creating instructional videos to support your teaching with the help of stock footage Kelvin Ke JindeXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
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
How universities can support students’ return to campus post-pandemicDanielle McDonald and colleagues share advice on how universities can approach welcoming two student cohorts to campus for the first time, staying mindful of the vastly different attitudes among students relating to the post-pandemic transition Danielle McDonald, Anita Sahgal, Jennifer DiPrete, Allison CrumeUniversity of South Florida
My first post-Covid conference showed me we need to prep for the campus returnAt this conference, faculty were like the walking wounded, but we can and should learn from it because our students deserve our best selves, says Flower DarbyFlower DarbyNorthern Arizona University
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
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
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
Three tips for a future of hybrid teaching Brad Chan offers three tips for making hybrid learning work for all, based on his experience teaching languages Brad ChanYew Chung College of Early Childhood Education
Chinese universities face a tricky route to the topChina’s institutions are undoubtedly on the up, but they need to smash their glass ceiling to truly register on the world stage, says James ChinJames ChinUniversity of Tasmania
Why miss out on revenue when universities can take more blended learning in-house?Institutions are embracing the opportunity to create and deliver their own online programmes, but they’re realising that means more to think about, says Elliot FelixElliot FelixBrightspot
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
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
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
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
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
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
How universities can build meaningful collaborations to solve societal challenges For universities to extend their impact and community engagement, they need to form strong partnerships with external organisations and individuals. Alicia Wilson shares seven guiding principles that support successful collaborationAlicia WilsonJohns Hopkins University
This is our chance to create the classroom of the futureWe know what works best for learning, and most of it is easier to implement in the online world, says Daphne KollerDaphne KollerStanford University
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
Equitable teaching that creates pathways to success for all students Andrew Estrada Phuong and co-authors present a framework for an adaptive equity-oriented pedagogy that helps diverse students achieve better resultsAndrew Estrada Phuong, Judy Nguyen, Fabrizio Mejia, Christopher Hunn, Dena MarieUniversity of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, Orinda Academy
Turning a new page: information literacy goes onlineXiaowei Li and Lulu Wang explore how to take an on-campus institution such as a university library online to deliver hands-on information literacy skills to students around the world Xiaowei Li, Lulu WangXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Distance learners deserve better than HE’s latest bait and switch Remote learning is the latest scapegoat being used to justify returning to the ‘normal’ of rising tuition costs and sky-high student debt, says Zachary Michael JackZachary Michael JackNorth Central College
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
Don’t downplay the role of community colleges in healing a nationAt a time of rampant disinformation, these two-year institutions can be the engines of enquiry and purpose that enable the next generation to rebuild our democracy, says Eduardo PadronEduardo PadronMiami Dade College
Co-creation of curricula with students: a case study Eric Tsui outlines a method he uses to enhance student learning through the co-creation of new scenarios for curriculum development in their discipline Eric TsuiThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University
A student mental health crisis awaits. Here’s how we avoid a bad fallExtra funding should be requested now to staff up wellness centres, counselling centres and campus ministries, says Todd ZakrajsekTodd ZakrajsekUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Creating internship opportunities: showing employers the value in humanities and social sciences Jonathan Sim describes how he engaged with local employers to open internship opportunities to humanities and social sciences students who would not previously have been considered Jonathan SimNational University of Singapore
Returning to ‘normal’ is really a return to ignoranceCovid revealed that students need flexible and inclusive learning opportunities − something that should have been obvious well before the pandemic, says Torrey TrustTorrey TrustUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
High tech and high touch: designing a bridging system to help students prepare for STEM studies Karin Avnit, Victor Wang and Prasad Iyer describe how combining technology-supported learning with targeted face-to-face instruction helps ensure all students start university with the knowledge and skills they need to succeedKarin Avnit , Victor Wang, Prasad IyerSingapore Institute of Technology
The digital shift will have many (positive) side-effectsIn the not-so-distant future, we’ll realise the digital transformation has changed higher education for the better, in ways we never expected, say Rick Shangraw and Wayne BovierRick Shangraw, Wayne BovierCintana Education, Higher Digital
Solving future problems today: Making HyFlex learning work for all Trent Montgomery shares the key considerations for developing effective hybrid flexible teaching that will boost universities’ educational offering in the long term Trent Montgomery Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
How leaders can seize higher ed’s ‘catalytic moment for change’Those that lead by example, reward innovative faculty and increase campus-wide buy-in will determine the future of higher education, says Jon McNaughtanJon McNaughtanTexas Tech 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
Global virtual exchange: promoting international learningChristopher Brighton presents a model of global virtual exchange that could be easily replicated at any institution to enhance its students’ intercultural knowledge and skillsChristopher BrightonXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool 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
Socialising is hugely important, but virtual campuses help learning, tooThe social elements of university help students succeed academically, so we must start transplanting them online, says Elizabeth Lehfeldt Elizabeth A. LehfeldtCleveland State University
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
