Targeted advice and guidance is crucial for widening participation Especially post-Covid, pupils need a strong foundation that prepares them for future post-18 decisionsBilly Huband-ThompsonCentre for Education and Youth
Building a community of support for remote students through academic advising Janet Morrison details academic advising strategies that keep students feeling connected and supported throughout their educational journeys when learning online Janet MorrisonChamplain College Online
Ready, player one? How video games can help engage studentsEngaging, rewarding and a great way to encourage active participation, games are a brilliant addition to a teaching and learning environment, says Chris HeadleandChris HeadleandUniversity of Lincoln
Running effective tutorials in transnational education Michael Daw explores the challenges and misconceptions related to running interactive tutorials in joint international courses, based on his experience teaching a UK-China programme in China Michael DawThe University of Edinburgh, Zhejiang University
Do we need equity or equality to make things ‘fair’? Actually, we need bothFair, to some people, means everyone getting the same thing. But that’s only fair if everyone begins at the same place and needs the same things to succeed, says Todd ZakrajsekTodd ZakrajsekUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Relationship building among globally diverse students in a borderless universityMonika Foster offers insights into why and how to encourage relationship-building between global learners by celebrating diversity and encouraging collaboration in teaching, learning and assessmentMonika FosterUniversity of Sunderland
Teaching with Lego: using plastic bricks to encourage play and interaction in classDan Swanton explains how using Lego to demonstrate and apply lessons in class promotes play and interaction leading to better engagement and peer discussion as part of active learning designDan SwantonThe University of Edinburgh
How to refine, enrich and expand research through teaching practicesAdrian Lam offers tips on how academics can use their teaching to refine, enrich and expand their research methodsAdrian Man-Ho LamThe University of Hong Kong
Follow the (learning) science and put problem solving at the centre of teachingRather than a digital transformation, universities should undergo a learning transformation that supports effective technology and evidence-based teaching, argue Carl Wieman and Bror Saxberg Carl Wieman , Bror Saxberg Stanford University
How challenging can my content be?Paul Moss explores the concept of cognitive load as a way to determine how challenging your learning content should be to remain effectivePaul MossAdelaide University
Early career researchers can say no, tooComing up with a series of questions for ECRs about each ‘opportunity’ as it arises can help them decide what is worthy of their time, says Lucas LixinskiLucas LixinskiUNSW Sydney
Virtual classroom connections: enhancing three presence elements via online toolsNguyen Hoang Thuan and Pham Cong Hiep provide practical tips for enhancing three types of presence – teaching, social and cognitive – in online learning and teaching, based on their research Nguyen Hoang Thuan, Pham Cong HiepRMIT University Vietnam
Developing research skills post-pandemic: creating space for reflection and conversation Three research advisers share advice on how institutions should support researchers to develop their professional skills and confidence post-pandemic Jennifer Boyle, Rachel Herries, Joanna RoyleUniversity of Glasgow
How to assess if online tools will enhance learning experiencesElizabeth Ellis offers five tips for assessing and selecting digital education tools that will improve rather than distract from your teaching Elizabeth EllisArden University
Teaching the skills wanted by employers in 2021 and beyondDilshad Sheikh makes a case for universities to work more closely with employers to shape industry-relevant courses and expose students to more real-world practical training and assessment Dilshad SheikhArden University
We must dismantle the invisible career barriers in HEDespite surface appearances, universities’ recruitment and selection practices still present hidden obstacles to under-represented groupsRebecca JarrettCranfield University
Generating immersive, large-scale teaching experiences in video games Richard Fitzpatrick and Thomas Little offer insights for designing and developing immersive learning experiences using video games, based on their experience using Minecraft in their teaching Richard Fitzpatrick, Thomas LittleThe University of Edinburgh
Why are primary sources important in teaching?Seth Cayley explains why primary sources are important learning tools to help students gain a better understanding of current events and hone critical-thinking skills Seth CayleyGale Primary Sources
Guiding students to learn from each other through peer feedbackSam Evans and David Collett share a framework to guide students in effective peer review to boost learning outcomesSam Evans, David CollettXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
A pedagogy of kindness: the cornerstone for student learning and wellness Fiona Rawle outlines a pedagogy founded on human connection, care and compassion that improves student learning outcomesFiona RawleUniversity of Toronto Mississauga
Self-directed learning is becoming the forgotten ingredient in HEIn the heady rush to extol the virtues of asynchronous learning, we are watering down the main element of students’ learning experience, says Linda KayeLinda KayeEdge Hill University
Creating time and space for reflection in undergraduate research methodsAdrian Lam offers insights on how keeping a weekly application diary helps enhance students’ reflections on the power and limits of research methodsAdrian Man-Ho LamThe University of Hong Kong
Taking challenging courses requiring step-by-step instruction online Pam Benz offers tips for translating challenging courses, which necessitate students seeing problems worked out step by step, to online instruction modes Pam BenzUniversity of West Florida
How can we solve Japan’s student mobility issues?Japan struggles with multiculturalism as a concept, let alone a reality, and overseas students can suffer. But online education could offer help, says Haruko SatohHaruko SatohOsaka University
New modes of practicum – synergising online and offline teaching modes Rohnii Tse provides insight on how teaching the practical application of a subject can be adapted to work via online or remote channelsRohnii Tse Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education
Using tech to train students in creative problem-solving Alison Watson explains how institutions can guide students in developing creative solutions to real-world problems, better preparing them for the demands of the future workplace Alison WatsonArden University
The arts and humanities have not been forgotten: finding funding post-pandemic Edward Harcourt on why the arts and humanities are vital to tackling societal challenges and what funding streams are available to research within these disciplines Edward HarcourtArts and Humanities Research Council
Make yourself presentable Richard Gratwick sketches a course designed to develop students’ presentation skills, whether in person or online, using principles that are universal Richard GratwickThe University of Edinburgh
Let’s embrace flexible learning as much as we have flexible workingMuch like working from home, remote teaching and learning come with a range of benefits to learners if we just make room for them Matt JennerFutureLearn
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
Making space for creativity in higher education Paul Moss explains why and how university tutors should create opportunities for creative exploration among students within their courses Paul MossAdelaide University
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
How to support students in work placements remotelyDuminda Jayaranjan and Maruj Limpawattana explain what institutions need to put in place to remotely guide and monitor students on work placements via digital channelsDuminda Jayaranjan, Maruj LimpawattanaSiam University
Tips for spurring critical thinking among students onlineMichelle Horton shares three online course design strategies that will help students develop their critical thinking skillsMichelle Horton University of West Florida
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
Don’t lose the lesson: planning design to future-proof higher education Patrick Sanaghan explains how universities can distil the lessons of the past 18 months of crisis to inform strategic future plans Patrick Sanaghan The Sanaghan Group
Gamification in the classroom: what have we learned? Shuhan Li and Olivia Sun share what they learned when testing out gamification strategies and technologies to tackle challenges presented by online learningShuhan Li , Olivia SunXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
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
Creative writing to hone critical thinking Parag Dandgey shares creative-writing activities designed to improve students’ critical-thinking skills by developing their understanding of multiple perspectives Parag Dandgey Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Building a tech toolkit to solve online teaching challengesDuminda Jayaranjan and Kanthima Kongsathitsuwan outline how to build a basic tech toolkit that will support effective online teachingDuminda Jayaranjan, Kanthima KongsathitsuwanSiam University
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
Is blended learning just a pipe dream for Indian HE?It’s unlikely we are ready for a seismic shift while simultaneously trying to improve the quality of university education in general, say Gunjan Rajput and Swapnarag SwainGunjan Rajput , Swapnarag SwainRishihood University, International Management Institute Kolkata
Connecting research and humanities through creative collaborationsCreative collaborations between students in different disciplines can offer opportunities to gain “real world” experience and apply their knowledge in new contexts. Allison Schwartz explains howAllison SchwartzUniversity of West Florida
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
The foundational steps needed to advance online higher education post-CovidThe will to evolve is essential, followed by a technology-led approach to pedagogy, student engagement and interactivity, says Steve DaviesSteve DaviesUniversity of South Wales, Learna
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
Big-class energy: how to get large groups learning by doing, not just listening Charlie Reis shares advice on successfully teaching large cohorts by getting students actively involved in learning activities rather than passively listening Charlie ReisXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
