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
Making the most of online educational resources: a case study Pascal Grange explains how online educational resources can be used to complement teaching and enhance students’ opportunities for learning Pascal Grange Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Never forget: your course is not only yoursToo much of our instructional design undershoots the potential of higher education to improve not only individual lives but also the public good, says Robin DeRosaRobin DeRosaPlymouth State 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
More screen time: using instructor-featured video to create connection onlineAaron Smith explains why instructor-featured videos are such a powerful tool for keeping remote-learning students grounded and for providing a sense of human connection, based on his research Aaron SmithUniversity of Waterloo
After the gold rush: how to respond to the Chinese student downswingAs the country’s outbound study trend cools, student recruitment strategies must evolve – and there is no ‘next China’ to fall back on, says Matt DurninMatt DurninBritish Council
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
Tips for engaging Asian universities and alumni in new modes of collaboration Western institutions can continue to forge fruitful collaborations with Asian universities and attract students from the region. Here, Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan shares two key recommendations for how to do it Benjamin Tak Yuen ChanHong Kong Metropolitan University
Rethinking higher education in Asia post-pandemic: five key trends Allan Yuen Hoi-kau highlights five trends to look out for as higher education in Asia evolves post-pandemic, and shares tips on striking a balance between technology and learning objectives Allan Yuen Hoi-kau Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education
What does the rise of Asia mean for global higher education?Many hurdles remain, from racism to presumed Western superiority, but equal dialogues and collaborations will foster the global common good, says Xin XuXin XuUniversity of Oxford
How to prevent cyberbullying from rearing its ugly head in universities Christy Cheung presents preventive measures universities should take to tackle cyberbullying among students working onlineChristy Cheung Hong Kong Baptist University
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
Supporting self-directed learning across cultural boundaries Academics from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University draw on their research showing the Western teaching model based on ‘self-directed learning’ is effective among Chinese students coming from different educational and cultural contextsQian Wang , Chang Xiong, Jiajun LiuXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Meeting student needs in the MENA region through digital transformation Barbar Akle, Rula Diab and George Nasr describe ways universities in the Middle East and North Africa can meet the needs of their students by embracing digital transformation and internationalisation Barbar Akle, Rula Diab, George NasrLebanese American University
Flexibility is key if we want students to connect with their studiesUniversal design for learning not only embraces diversity, it also uses it as the basis for providing choice in how students learn – and succeed, says Lillian NaveLillian NaveAppalachian State University
How to foster collaboration among students trained to competeCollaboration is a vital life skill but can be challenging after an education infused with competition at every step. Jie Zhang, Qing Ye and Steven Bateman explain how they overcome this when setting group work Jie Zhang, Qing Ye, Steven BatemanXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
The answer is not always the solution: using coaching in higher education May Lim explains why academics should refrain from always giving students immediate answers and instead apply coaching techniques that guide learners to problem-solve and reach their own conclusions May LimSingapore Institute of Technology
How to induct students into the flipped-classroom model Jonathan Sim explains how he has designed learning activities to ensure students complete the preparation work necessary to get the most out of the flipped-classroom model Jonathan SimNational University of Singapore
Should lecturers be trained to deal with shortening attention spans?Would my life be easier if I had received explicit guidance in how to deliver content in TikTok-length pieces? asks Katie DavisKatie DavisUniversity of Washington
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
This model is the future of diversity in higher educationComing together for support is the only way forward – and the Council of Coalitions is the model for inter-group organising we desperately need, says Pardis MahdaviPardis MahdaviArizona State University
Online teaching insights, part five: Online feedback and continuity Insights and lessons on effective tools and techniques to improve online teaching, put together by faculty spanning dozens of disciplines at the American University in Cairo Hoda Mostafa, Maha BaliAmerican University in Cairo
The trials of teaching a ‘new’ script in a virtual worldTeaching non-Roman scripts online throws up great challenges, but we must preserve the world’s linguistic resources, say Rana Raddawi, Jingjing Ji and Ronit AlexanderRana Raddawi, Jingjing Ji, Ronit AlexanderNorthwestern University
The sector’s mental health workers need help tooMore assistance must be offered to help students survive, let alone thrive – and the same goes for student crisis interventionists like me, says Lula TorresLula TorresInsideTrack
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
Supporting students’ emotional needs in distance learning Yanfang Si shares simple online teaching methods to make students feel connected and supported and so help meet their emotional needs from a distanceYanfang SiXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
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
Beware the futility of higher education’s wellness theatreSurface-level emphasis on self-care without discussing systemic problems in HE runs the risk of gaslighting students who face very real barriers, says Fiona RawleFiona RawleUniversity of Toronto Mississauga
Online teaching insights, part four: Course management and recording lecturesInsights and lessons on effective tools and techniques to improve online teaching put together by faculty spanning dozens of disciplines at the American University in CairoHoda Mostafa, Maha BaliAmerican University in Cairo
Digital resources now rank alongside housing, healthcare and educationUniversities, government, business and local communities must come together and provide strategic action to tackle digital poverty effectively, says Julian ThomasJulian ThomasRMIT University
Expectation and compassion: two sides of the coin for successful learning outcomesCelia Ann Evans explains how instructors can balance compassion with high expectations to guide students to better learning gainsCelia Ann EvansCornell 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
Moving student competitions online has made them better than everVirtual competitions have flourished and resulted in greater international collaboration, says Gayle DeBruynGayle DeBruynFerris State University
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
To see or not to see: managing the complex issue of Zoom camerasMany students opt to keep cameras turned off in online classes, which makes building authentic connections more difficult. Celia Ann Evans shares strategies for encouraging the use of cameras without making it a requirement Celia Ann EvansCornell University
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
Lessons from gamification to enhance students’ capacity for learning Oran Devilly and May Lim share lessons from using gaming techniques to help students develop the learning traits needed to benefit from online teachingOran Devilly, May LimSingapore Institute of Technology
Covid-19 has reinforced China’s role as global leader in ed-tech The country’s giant companies benefit from an ecosystem that supports online learning and a cultural propensity to prioritise education, says Tom C. VargheseTom C. VargheseUniversity of Oxford
Online teaching insights, part three: managing workload issues and stressInsights and lessons on effective tools and techniques to improve online teaching put together by faculty spanning dozens of disciplines at the American University in Cairo Hoda Mostafa, Maha BaliAmerican University in Cairo
We ignore the administrative load caused by cheating at our perilThe switch online has brought renewed scrutiny of misconduct, but without adequate resources, the real losers are our students, says Amanda WhiteAmanda WhiteUniversity of Technology Sydney
Designing online learning to fuel a more diverse workplaceAnthony Tattersall outlines online course design strategies that support greater diversity of learners and fuel a more varied workplace Anthony TattersallCoursera
Online teaching insights, part two: participation and breakout rooms Insights and lessons on effective tools and techniques to improve online teaching put together by faculty spanning dozens of disciplines at the American University in Cairo Hoda Mostafa, Maha BaliAmerican University in Cairo
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