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
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
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
Campus webinar: Innovative teachingAs we emerge from the pandemic, what innovations in online teaching have come about in the last year? Four experts in digital and teaching innovation from the UK and US discuss effective ways of teaching that harness new technological toolsSarah Dyer, Dale Johnson, Agnes Kukulska-Hulme, Ian TurnerThe University of Exeter, Arizona State University, The Open University, University of Derby
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
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
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
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
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
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
Let’s stop confusing what just happened with true online learningDuring the pandemic, decades of research and practice were tossed aside in a matter of days, says Ali Carr-ChellmanAli Carr-ChellmanUniversity of Dayton
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rethinking remote labs to deliver during Covid and beyondOur faculty has devised truly innovative methods to replace the in-person lab experience, says Maria KlaweMaria KlaweHarvey Mudd College
A bit of creativity can go a long way when teaching onlineIt’s crucial to shake things up to stop online delivery from homogenising even the most disparate teaching styles, says Constanza PacherConstanza PacherMacEwan University
How to teach through the lens of the Sustainable Development GoalsTerry Sunderland offers insight on how the Sustainable Development Goals can provide a useful framework to guide students’ learning across multiple disciplinesTerry SunderlandUniversity of British Columbia
Covid proved that HE can change quickly and effectively after allMuch discussion has focused on what to do better, but we should also recognise strengths that had not been seen prior to the crisis, say Jon McNaughtan and Hugo GarcíaJon McNaughtan, Hugo GarcíaTexas Tech University
The campus is dead, long live the campusPotential post-Covid changes to campus design will slide along a spectrum from optimising space to rethinking academic structures, says Jay DeshmukhJay DeshmukhIBI Group
Virtual language learning through synchronous and asynchronous teaching Theresa Perales and Kelly Metz-Matthews outline how synchronous and asynchronous online teaching tools can be used to engage students in new ways that enhance their language proficiencies Theresa Perales, Kelly Metz-MatthewsSan Diego State University
Lessons learned teaching online, from wi-fi woes to war zonesHuman issues, particularly willingness to contribute to discussions, were more significant than tech issues when teaching across borders to diverse audiences, says David MouldDavid MouldOhio University
Biden’s next big deal must include expanded broadband accessThe pandemic helped expose an insidious digital divide that imperils efforts to reduce inequality and promote social mobility, says Jem SpectarJem SpectarUniversity of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Using learning technologies to enhance students’ professional communication skillsLearning technology offers an opportunity to embed useful workplace skills training into university courses, as Kyle Bowen and Allison Hall explainKyle Bowen , Allison HallArizona State University
THE Live US 2021: Overcoming leadership challenges in digital teachingProvosts at four US institutions discuss their leadership styles, the future of online teaching and how to balance the often competing agendas of governments, students and internal stakeholdersEmily Carter, Steven W. McLaughlin, Jeffrey Holm, Sunil KumarUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities, University of North Dakota, Johns Hopkins University
Grades are dehumanising, but ‘ungrading’ is no simple solutionThere is nothing ideologically neutral about grades, and nothing ideologically neutral about the idea we can neatly and tidily do away with them, says Jesse StommelJesse StommelUniversity of Mary Washington
May the force be with you: driving diversity in online teaching Pardis Mahdavi explains how academics can ensure they support and enhance diversity work in their online teaching through her Jedi – justice, equity, diversity and inclusion – framework Pardis MahdaviArizona State University
Teaching in the hall of mirrors: should faculty ever mention appearance?Educators must pay attention to why young people are using platforms that allow social interaction without visual scrutiny, says Elizabeth LoshElizabeth LoshWilliam & Mary
Leading with humanity in your online classroom: Tips beyond tech How to ensure the human side of teaching is not lost and that pedagogical practices promoting care drive decisions when instructing online, from research by Mary Candace Raygoza, Aaminah Norris and Raina León Mary Candace Raygoza, Aaminah Norris , Raina LeónSaint Mary’s College of California
Making online learning accessible for students with disabilities Online learning offers opportunities to widen accessibility for disabled students through careful course design and delivery. Clare Mullaney shares three tips to ensure your digital teaching is accessible to all learners Clare Mullaney Clemson University
Diversity statements: what to avoid and what to includeDiversity statements are increasingly important for faculty, both when teaching online and applying for jobs. Pardis Mahdavi and Scott Brooks outline what to avoid and what to include when drafting a diversity statementPardis Mahdavi, Scott BrooksArizona State University
Get serious about humour in your online classroomHumour can grab and hold students’ attention. Abha Ahuja and Trang Nguyen outline ways to introduce more laughter into online classesAbha Ahuja , Trang NguyenMinerva Schools at KGI
How to re-energise your online classroom and inspire creativity Sparking creativity among students learning remotely through a screen can be challenging. Here, Constanza Pacher offers advice for shaking up ideas via online media Constanza PacherMacEwan University
Bringing teaching and digital together: skills needed to teach onlineSean Morris talks about how academics can foster digital skills in their students and themselves for better online learning outcomesSean MorrisUniversity of Colorado Denver
It’s been emotional: how to manage difficult student interactions Student advisers often bear a heavy emotional burden when trying to assist students. Meg Cohen offers advice on how to manage such emotionally challenging situations Meg CohenGeorgetown University
Planning assessment to promote academic integrity onlineInstructors can minimise the opportunity for academic misconduct through careful online assessment design. Sarah Eaton shares five approaches to online assessment that promote academic integrity Sarah EatonUniversity of Calgary
Teaching humanities from a distance Jessica Lee and Tamara Mann Tweel describe how they went back to basics when designing their humanistic online course, focusing on one-to-one mentoring and transformative texts Jessica Lee, Tamara Mann TweelColumbia University , The Teagle Foundation
THE podcast: building resilience and well-being among university staff and studentsHow university leaders and faculty can manage workloads and protect the well-being of staff and students to ensure online teaching is sustainable Thuy Thi Nguyen, June GruberFoothill College, The University of Colorado Boulder
Supporting academia’s well-being during Covid-19 and beyond With an unprecedented global mental health crisis and rising stress among university staff, six academics come together to propose how best to support faculty and new ways of working now and well beyond the pandemic June Gruber, Lisa Miracchi, Sabrina Marques, Kirk Ambrose, Becca Ciancanelli, Paulo BoggioThe University of Colorado Boulder, University of Pennsylvania, Western Connecticut State University, Mackenzie Presbyterian University
ASU president Michael Crow on the future of online learning in higher educationMichael Crow, president of Arizona State University, speaks to THE editor John Gill about the future of higher education in a digital worldMichael CrowArizona State University
Evolution not revolution: strengthening student services online Digital technologies are more than a short-term emergency tool; they provide an opportunity to enhance student support services long after a return to campus, explain Steven Goss and Amy Greenstein Steven Goss, Amy GreensteinManhattan College, Metropolitan College of New York
Fair assessment: tackling the rise in online cheating The move to online learning has seen a big increase in academic misconduct such as plagiarism. Camilla Roberts explains how careful planning of online teaching and assessment can minimise cheatingCamilla RobertsKansas State University
Bridging the digital divide: online courses with equity at their core Otito Iwuchukwu talks about how to take an equity-first approach to delivering online courses to ensure all students can access the resources they need and have their voices heardOtito Frances IwuchukwuFairleigh Dickinson University
