Online learning

The rise of online learning has revolutionised university teaching. Whether students study in-person, remotely or take a hybrid approach, much higher education is now delivered via digital platforms, supported by a proliferation in educational technology (ed-tech). Find out how lecturers can adapt their teaching methods for digital delivery, build online learning communities and use the latest technology to support immersive learning, gamification and AI-adaptive learning.

An explorer observes a flag flying atop a mountain made of books

Lessons from evolutionary biology to prepare students in an uncertain world

Universities are charged with developing the next generation for a future we can’t predict. Here are three lessons from evolutionary biology to make sense of a changing world – and three skills the workforce of tomorrow will need

Lakshmi Goel

Al Akhawayn University

Welcome to your virtual reality-based classroom

VR innovation can make education truly inclusive and sustainable. Here’s how academics at UCL and Marmara University developed a virtual reality-based building

Stephen Hilton, Blanka Hilton

UCL, University of Kent

Bringing the human touch into the virtual classroom

Personalising learning experiences and building trust are just two of several strategies outlined in this resource aimed at helping teachers build supportive online learning environments

Lauren Flannery

The University of East Anglia

A pair of surgical scissors are passed from one member of the surgical team to another

Making educational content open access can save lives

By making training resources for surgical professions available on an open access platform, RCSI and its partners are helping to address a huge number of preventable deaths each year. Find out how you can do something similar

Eric O'Flynn, Ines Perić

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Yooung woman studying at her latop at university

Ensuring online education is inclusive and accessible to all

Creating a culture of inclusivity where every student feels welcome and listened to is paramount. Here are some ways to achieve it

Mayela Beatriz Rodríguez Romo , Martha Fabiola Espinosa Mata, Abraham Esteban Gómez Coss

Tecnológico de Monterrey

For Generation Z, online courses are the future of education

What do online courses need to offer to engage Generation Z? Find out what young people want and how to make their education serve them better

Samar Abdelazim Ahmed

Dubai Medical University

Strategies to enhance your online course

Read about some strategies to make your online courses more engaging

Sara Camacho

Tecnológico de Monterrey

A metal toy robot looks into the distance

The two key steps to promoting responsible use of LLMs

Large language models offer opportunities for higher education, but also present challenges. Here is how to balance both

Xiangen Hu

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Promoting online courses: five effective marketing strategies

Several ways to promote Moocs and other online courses, including a focus on email marketing and paid advertising

Luke Howard, Ari Badlishah

The University of Edinburgh

A smiling student uses her laptop to work

Make the most of online education for your students

Students appreciate the value of online education. How can educators maximise this value as much as possible?

Ayten Ordu

Near East University

Eight innovative ways to teach coding online

Advice on how to create dynamic, engaging and supportive online learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of today’s coding students

Manojkumar Nagasampige

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Student speaking to a teacher in front of laptop

Using philosophy to enhance online students’ critical thinking skills

Online courses often lack the kind of spontaneity that builds critical thinking skills. So how can we make up for this?

Garth Elzerman

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Three ways to integrate emerging technologies into the curriculum

Your students’ future jobs will depend on technology just in its infancy today. But how best to teach them the skills they need? Sabrina Azzi offers advice

Sabrina Azzi

University of the West of Scotland

Students talk to their teacher round a table

Five tips for blended learning design

Blended learning has become more prevalent in higher education in the past few years. But what do students think about it? A students-as-co-creators project found out

Gustavo Espinoza Ramos , Setenay Dilek Fidler, Mahima Singh, Drilena Ukperaj

University of Westminster

Campus Talks: How technology is reshaping the 21st-century campus

When hybrid learning and immersive technology can connect and engage students working in any location, where does that leave all those lecture halls and libraries? We ask two US experts about how universities are adapting to the digital transformation

Stephen W. Harmon, Lev Gonick

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities, Arizona State University

How to embed critical thinking from course design to assessment

Critical thinking is an essential, human skill. This practical advice aims to help university educators nurture and enhance students’ ability to analyse and evaluate information at all stages of teaching

M. C. Zhang

Macau University of Science and Technology

A young woman referring to her notes while stufying at home on her laptop

Effective ways to keep online language students motivated

A learning designer discusses tried and tested strategies to keep students engaged in online language courses

Nigel Gearing

The University of Auckland

Three ways AI and immersive technology will revolutionise personalised learning

Emerging technologies, including AI and augmented reality, can transform personalised learning and tutoring and enhance the student experience. Here’s how it might happen

Nader Jalili

SMU Lyle School of Engineering

Can AI offer everyone a personal tutor 24/7?

Generative artificial intelligence can trigger a certain amount of angst, but AI’s potential to support student learning should be explored, write Steve Hill and Quintus Stierstorfer

Steve Hill, Quintus Stierstorfer

Walbrook Institute London

Students role-playing a psychology appointment

What simulations bring to teaching soft skills

Role play and immersive VR experiences can bridge the gap between theory and practice as students acquire – and teachers assess – skills in communication and problem-solving

Daniel Brown, Krystal Schaffer, Kim Stewart

The University of Southern Queensland

Higher education needs a united approach to AI

If universities’ response to AI and education is as fractured as the sector’s adoption of blended learning, we may well find ourselves in a similar position in 20 years’ time with duplicated costs and missed research opportunities, writes Sara de Freitas

Sara de Freitas

Birkbeck, University of London

With AI at their fingertips, are students still learning?

The ubiquity of artificial intelligence may be affecting students’ cognitive development. Gareth Morris and Bamidele Akinwolemiwa consider how to address this

Gareth Morris, Bamidele Akinwolemiwa

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China

A bird's eye view shot of a woman sat on a lawn, using several devices

Campus life is entering a new era, but don’t forget the human touch

With the acceleration of technology, the university experience is changing. As academics, it’s up to us to guide our students through this new normal of learning, navigating information and socialising, writes Nazlihasri Abdul Rahman

Nazlihasri Abdul Rahman

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

‘You’re my only hope’: embedding holographic learning experiences into teaching

While there are barriers for using virtual reality in the university classroom, holographic experiences could light the way forward. Gary Burnett and Vikki Locke explain how

Gary Burnett, Vikki Locke

Loughborough University

The pandemic taught me the benefits of flipped homework

In this extract from ‘Online Education During Covid-19 and Beyond’, Olga Amarie shares what she learned about flipped homework while teaching pandemic-era French lessons

Olga Amarie

Georgia Southern University

A hand reaches for a wooden block displaying "AI"

We should be thinking about assessments and AI in a completely different way

Let’s embrace the benefits of AI rather than fearing its impact on academic misconduct. Dilshad Sheikh offers her tips on adopting new technology in pedagogy

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

Campus Talks: The future of XR and immersive learning

Immersive technology expert Monica Arés explains how the combination of artificial intelligence and extended reality in education has the potential to unlock curiosity and learning, the costs that come with these tools and what she thinks teaching technology will look like in 2034

Monica Arés

Imperial College London

The ‘deep learn’ framework: elevating AI literacy in higher education

AI literacy is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a critical skill for university students. The ‘deep learn’ framework offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing literacy around artificial intelligence and application in higher education settings

Birgit Phillips

FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences

A robot drops papers as it's caught in a flashlight beam

Is it time to turn off AI detectors?

In this extract from their new book, ‘Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning’, José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson discuss the reliability of AI detection tools and how to combat cheating without them

José Antonio Bowen, C. Edward Watson

American Association of Colleges and Universities

In the cold, unforgiving environment of higher education, embrace the promise of spring

Just as the seasons transition from cold, harsh winters to vibrant springs, educators can navigate the challenges of higher education and find moments of growth and inspiration. John Sinclair shows how

John Sinclair

Colorado State University Global

Wooden blocks are linked together with an AI block in the centre

The three questions that will define the future of higher education

Generative AI is here to stay – how can higher education respond? Julia Chen poses three fundamental questions to explore a strategic vision for the sector

Julia Chen

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Data management strategy in higher education: a blueprint for excellence

By assessing data maturity, establishing data governance, creating centralised data teams and adopting a dynamic data reference model, institutions can remain agile in an evolving technological landscape, writes Nick Chaviano

Nick Chaviano

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Ideas that make a difference for the digital transformation of universities

In a series of Campus resources, UK digital adopters explore what has worked (and what has not) as universities go digital and where investment in technology can be most effective

Sarah Dyer, Craig Walker, Lisa Harris, Arunangsu Chatterjee, Niamh Downing

The University of Manchester, HEdway Group, The University of Exeter, University of Leeds, Canterbury Christ Church University

A group of people sitting round a laptop

Give educators the skills to bring assessment into the future

How can academics get to grips with the most cutting-edge of assessment tools? Matthew Courtney details how to educate STEM experts on modern assessment systems

Matthew Courtney

Nazarbayev University

An illustration of a woman with a laptop sitting on a bar chart

Prepare the workforce of tomorrow by integrating data literacy into your curriculum

Data literacy skills are increasingly important in the modern workplace. Ermal Haranlli, Nedelin Velikov and Kehara Warnakulasuriya offer their advice on readying your students for the future

Ermal Haranlli, Nedelin Velikov , Kehara Warnakulasuriya

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Welcome aboard! Tips for building an online community of learners

Building an online learning community can help students form social bonds and boost their motivation, but requires specific efforts to be successful. Karin Avnit and Prasad Iyer show us how

Karin Avnit , Prasad Iyer

Singapore Institute of Technology

How authentic stories can empower the ‘unheard voices’

Storytelling can be a powerful change agent. When proposing change – such as the digital transformation in universities – leadership needs to communicate in ways that cut through the noise and inspire action, write three digital adopters

Lisa Harris, Sarah Dyer, Craig Walker

The University of Exeter, The University of Manchester, HEdway Group

Why the ‘machine says no’: how asking for less can get you more…

Under-investment and lack of future proofing of core digital systems have left many universities with creaking legacy infrastructure that cannot support increasing demands. Here, three digital adopters suggest that incremental improvements could be a way forward

Craig Walker, Lisa Harris, Sarah Dyer

HEdway Group, The University of Exeter, The University of Manchester

A robot hand takes a survey using emoji faces

How AI can revolutionise the way we analyse student surveys

Student surveys provide a potential goldmine of data. Kirsty Bryant suggests deploying AI to maximise your insight

Kirsty Bryant

University of Westminster

Transforming marketing lectures with AI and simulations

How do we teach students marketing theory while preparing them for an evolving professional landscape? Rohim Mohammed looks at how artificial intelligence and simulations foster practical, interactive learning

Rohim Mohammed

University College Birmingham

A man holding a laptop top gazes at a screen displaying a graph

The what, why and how of data visualisation for higher education

Wondering how to get started with data visualisation? Andrew Moles lays out the basics and offers his advice

Andrew Moles

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Student on a laptop listening with headphones at home

Use watch parties to enhance learning and build a sense of belonging online

An educator at the University of Manchester explains how using online watch parties with live chatboxes has enhanced students’ learning in a digital environment

Jennifer Mcbride

The University of Manchester

Campus webinar: Can universities keep pace with digital transformation?

Three Australian digital education experts from the Campus+ network explore the benefits and risks of AI and VR in teaching and learning, and gauge higher education’s pace of digital transformation

Edward Palmer, Julie Lindsay, Karen Blackmore

Adelaide University, The University of Southern Queensland , The University of Newcastle, Australia

Campus Talks: Microcredentials are knocking. Will higher education answer?

Tips from 10 years of Moocs at the University of Edinburgh and a call to arms to embrace technology for greater equity and financial sustainability

Melissa Highton, Michael D. Smith

The University of Edinburgh, Carnegie Mellon University

A hand holds a tiny globe wearing a mortarboard

Tips for mastering the Global Shared Learning Classroom

The Global Shared Learning Classroom can help extend internationalism beyond traditional exchange programmes. Jorge Alvarez offers advice

Jorge Alvarez

Tecnológico de Monterrey

How to establish peer-to-peer support networks for online first-generation students

Given the limited opportunities for organic peer-to-peer interactions online, universities must use a data-driven approach to create opportunities for students to build connections, writes Nesha Thompson

Nesha Thompson

The University of the West Indies

A good plan is essential to make online international courses a success

How can we ensure teachers and students have positive experiences in online international classrooms? Here, Nelly Ramírez Vásquez and Mariana Estefanía Elizondo García share some tips

Nelly Ramirez Vásquez , Mariana Estefanía Elizondo

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Tips on making professional-looking, engaging videos for online courses

Making videos for online classes doesn’t have to be costly. Here are ways to make them look professional on a budget

Geoff Fortescue

The University of Edinburgh

How to use YouTube videos in a flipped classroom system

With students’ attention spans decreasing, it’s important to find engaging ways to help with pre-class preparation, writes Aravind Reghunathan

Aravind Reghunathan

Loughborough University

Saddle pressure mat used to teach horse riding

Get off your high horse: using technology to make equine courses more inclusive

A group of educators at Scotland’s Rural College have reached more diverse students by using wearable technology to update traditional methods of teaching horse riding

Jennifer Fitzpatrick

Scotland's Rural College

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