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
What can we learn from students about online education? Yidan Qin shares some key lessons from a survey of students regarding what is needed to make online teaching effective Yidan QinXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
A guide to selecting the right ed-tech tools for your university Vikas Nand Kumar Batheja presents the key considerations and questions to ask when selecting new technological tools to support your teaching and university support services Vikas Nand Kumar Batheja Capital University College
Online review exercises to improve student performance in large coursesOnline review exercises, used in combination with other learning activities, improve student engagement and learning performance in large online courses, Peng Cheng and Rui Ding explainPeng Cheng, Rui DingXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
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
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
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
