Practical learning

Reflection and advice for hands-on university teaching practice – from online lab work to work placements and real-world experience

Students debating something in class

Active learning: what can we learn from secondary teaching?

A great deal of teaching in higher education appears to be inactive, despite the proven benefits of active learning. Here are some practical active learning strategies

Sarah Shaw

University of Chester

Student outside holding a notepad while thinking deeply

Want to increase student satisfaction? Activate higher-order thinking skills

Activating students’ higher-order thinking skills enhances student satisfaction, research shows. Here are some examples of ways to do it

Irina Shcheglova

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students working together on a project in class

Three ways to promote critical engagement with GenAI

However much we fear its impact or despise its outputs, when teaching humanities, the best response is to encourage students to engage with it critically

Neville Morley

University of Exeter

Students creating a mindmap on a whiteboard

The humble whiteboard: the most flexible learning tool in your classroom

The whiteboard serves as a powerful tool to help students visualise concepts, facilitate group work and provide immediate feedback, aligning with the theory that knowledge is built through active, hands-on experiences

Alan Meek

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Architects working on a model

Service and creative practice as a university administrator

Why give up or reduce teaching responsibilities to enter an administrative role? Jim Bassett took on the position of director for simple but meaningful reasons: deepening the level of service to students and colleagues and extending creative practice

Jim Bassett

Virginia Tech

sustainability concept

What work-based learners need from sustainability education

Flexible course design, reasonable time commitments and real-life practice are vital if universities expect to train the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs in sustainable development

Jonathan Muir

University of Leeds

Students sitting on the stairs of a university campus building

Nine tips for a successful, accessible blended learning field trip

A guide to planning and implementing field trips that successfully integrate on-site and online students

Alette Willis, Alex Penland

The University of Edinburgh

Colleges of Advanced Studies at Semmelweis University

How student learning communities support professional development

An effective way to nurture talent is to enable not only individual but also community learning. Here’s how the Hungarian system of colleges for advanced studies helps to train medical professionals who are also well versed in social issues

Ferenc Godó

Semmelweis University

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

University of Southern Queensland

Architecture internship

Balancing career readiness and finances: the case for abbreviated internships

Internships give students professional experience, guide career choices and boost job market competitiveness. But what if students need higher-paying summer jobs or can’t afford three months in a far-flung city? That’s where abbreviated winter internships come in

Margarita McGrath

Virginia Tech

A group of people laugh over a sheet of paper in a well-lit office

Three tips for using capstone projects to improve employability

How can we make sure our students are workplace-ready? Capstone projects may hold the key, writes Ardy Cheung

Ardy Cheung

The London School of Economics and Political Science

digital dentistry technician

An inter-university and interdisciplinary approach to dental education

A degree course that blends engineering and dentistry prepares students for their future practice. Here, Szandra Kormendi and Peter Hermann explain how it works

Péter Hermann, Szandra Körmendi

Semmelweis University

Young woman podcaster

Hybrid learning through podcasts: a practical approach

Adapting practice-based learning to a blend of synchronous and asynchronous delivery gives learners more control and creates opportunities for real-world learning of skills such as podcast production, writes Catherine Chambers

Catherine Chambers

Keele University

A young woman in a hard hat checks inventory on a tablet

Tips for successful apprenticeships courses

Arden University’s apprenticeship courses recently earned a ‘Good’ Ofsted report. Steven Hurst outlines how to please both learner and employer

Steven Hurst

Arden University

Woman analysing data on her laptop

Improve data literacy among doctoral students

In this resource, Vasudha Devi shows how to use a holistic approach to instil data literacy among doctoral students

Vasudha Devi

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Food bank workers packing up the produce

Using experiential learning to teach international relations

Using his experience as a case study, Adrian Man-Ho Lam outlines how to use experiential learning to improve students’ understanding of humanitarian intervention

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

Bitcoin

How to incorporate fintech and Web3 into university curricula

In bringing financial technology and cryptocurrency into university courses, educators must cover regulatory uncertainty, cybercrime risks and asset bubbles while keeping up with developments. Larisa Yarovaya provides insights

Larisa Yarovaya

University of Southampton

Hands clutching soil with green shoots

Real-world experiences can help your creative arts students create real-world change

Integrating real-world experiences into creative industries programmes can create truly meaningful results – for both the students and the wider community. Clare Duffin outlines how

Clare Duffin

University of the West of Scotland

webinar graphic

Campus webinar: How to make lifelong learning a strategic priority

Three lifelong learning experts from Campus+ partner institutions in Asia discuss how universities can embed a culture of continuous education beyond the traditional degree pathway

Aliana Leong, Gary Pan, Forest Tan

Macau University of Science and Technology, Singapore Management University, Singapore Institute of Technology

Man appearing as a hologram

Using telepresence to enrich learning

Implementing cutting-edge technology enriches the learning experiences and prepares students for an increasingly interconnected and diverse world

Sidney Ornelas

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Two people gesture in front of a board covered in post-its

The dos and don’ts of getting started with service learning

Service learning can have many benefits for students, teachers and the wider community, but starting out can be intimidating. Grace Ngai offers one don’t and three dos to begin your journey

Grace Ngai

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Digital marketing concept

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

Female accountant sitting at her desk making a phone call

How to implement experiential learning into accounting education

The accounting landscape is evolving rapidly amid growing environmental and social challenges. There is a need for urgent action, yet finance teams lack essential sustainable business competencies

Helen Slinger

Accounting for Sustainability

Three young engineers in hazard gear

Steps to adapt engineering education to changing skills demands

Context-based learning, teamwork and creativity are all elements that could help engineering training respond more effectively to the needs of complex workplaces, writes Parakram Pyakurel

Parakram Pyakurel

New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering

Students learn about vegetable growing in a community greenhouse

How service learning can help students create a positive change in the community

Service learning can help students develop a civic mindset, universities achieve their third mission and communities flourish as a result. Intan Azura Mokhtar shows how

Intan Azura Mokhtar

Singapore Institute of Technology

Students in an anatomy class at Semmelweis University

How practical education and talent management support medical students

A practice-oriented focus together with personalised talent support lead to success in medical education for local and international students. Here, Alán Alpár explains why teaching, science and patient care must go hand in hand

Alán Alpár

Semmelweis University

Scientists using case-based learning to treat a patient

How to enhance pharmaceutical education through case-based learning

Case-based learning helps students apply their knowledge and improve patient outcomes. Here is how to integrate it into pharmaceutical education

Narumol Phosrithong

Siam University

Male pharmacist at work

What we learned from a pilot study aimed at getting first-generation students into pharmacy

Many students have little knowledge of the role and career opportunities of a pharmacist. This is even more so the case for first-generation students

Carl Harrington, Rosemary Norton

University of East Anglia

Pottery wheel

Fostering student co-creation to give back to the community

Engaging in local civic projects offers students meaningful learning opportunities, fosters co-creation and supports the community at large. Here, Martha Sullivan outlines the benefits based on working with the Empty Bowls project

Martha Sullivan

Virginia Tech

Lecturer standing before a class full of pupils giving a lecture

Use a social approach to boost language learning

Using social activities fosters a more dynamic and meaningful connection between students and the language they’re learning. Yanfang Si offers guidance on building students’ knowledge and skills through structured social activities

Yanfang Si

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Two male swimmers in a pool

Stay in your lane or swim sideways: working respectfully in the third space

Learning designers and subject matter experts often have to navigate the choppy waters of course co-creation. Here, Jay Cohen offers six tips for collaborating successfully

Jay Cohen

The University of Adelaide

primary school teacher

Better together: co-teaching to support equity in educator training

Clinical experiences, methods courses, service learning and experiential learning can enhance teacher candidates’ ability to support English language learners. Here, Molly Riddle and Kelli Bernedo offer advice for using co-teaching in educator training

Molly Riddle, Kelli D. Bernedo

Indiana University Southeast

A shadowy hand casts a vote in a ballot box

How to engage students using public advocacy

Use real-world events to help students join the dots in their learning. Cornelia Koch outlines how

Cornelia Koch

The University of Adelaide

Business students writing prompts for AI

Embrace AI tools to improve student writing

Rather than trying to keep it out of the classroom, here are ways faculty can facilitate more effective use of ChatGPT for writing assignments

Pamela Bourjaily

University of Iowa

Sheet music lying on moss

Using partnerships to establish and build on project success

From listening to the student voice to creating joined-up partnerships, success on major capital works depends on teamwork. Here, Dominic Wood outlines key elements to ensure project delivery and reap long-term benefits

Dominic Wood

Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)

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

Young male journalism student

Embrace the chaos of real-world learning experiences

Unaccompanied student assignments abroad are a terrifying but essential part of the high-fidelity learning mix. Here, Jim Entwistle shares his four key points of assignments beyond the safety net

Jim Entwistle

Teesside University

Students building relationships

Three strategies for building healthy student relationships online

Icebreakers and peer-to-peer support are just some of the ways to cultivate a friendly online learning environment where connections between students can flourish

Becca Edwards

University of Colorado Boulder

Virtual reality communication concept, cartoon style. Two girls in VR glasses meet, flying in outer space with planets and stars. Vector illustration, hand drawn, flat stock illustration

Using VR to break the ice in the classroom

Virtual reality can make introductions more fun and expose students to new technologies. Here, Elvira Luna offers her tips for introducing it into COIL classes

Elvira Luna

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Female waste pickers in India

Bring the SDGs into the classroom through role play and gamification

A case study showing how simulations, role playing and gamification can develop students’ global citizenship and help grand challenges feel more surmountable

Shelini Surendran, Kat Mack, Anand Mistry

University of Surrey

Engineering student

Nurturing advanced problem-solving skills with integrated projects

Integrated projects can be a powerful tool for bolstering problem-solving capabilities and encouraging students to integrate knowledge from various courses

Man Kee Lam , Yee Ho Chai

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Student in chemistry lab

Messy decisions and creative science in the classroom

How can we teach students other than those studying for healthcare or other vocational qualifications to work across disciplinary boundaries and make scientific decisions in a creative – and enjoyable – manner? Here’s what we learned from running a data-driven drug-discovery scenario

Charlotte Dodson, Steve Flower

University of Bath

Students in field

What is experiential learning and why is it crucial in today’s world?

Mónica Gárate presents an experiential learning methodology, including characteristics, benefits and how the professor should participate in the process

Mónica Gárate

CETYS Universidad

Students versus climate change

Driving change: creating student-NGO partnerships for climate solutions

Luis Ricardo Fernández Carril and Luis Gerardo Rojas Solorio reveal how to energise and empower students to take part in the fight against climate change

Luis Ricardo Fernández Carril , Luis Gerardo Rojas Solorio

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Student doctors practising clinical skills on a plush bear

How to teach clinical communication skills in a foreign language from scratch

This hands-on approach to clinical practice integrates content and language and enables both local and international students to acquire communication skills and vocabulary alongside activities relevant to medical practice

Katalin Fogarasi, Judit Császár

Semmelweis University

Civic education is crucial for today's students

How to improve civic education through service learning

Civic education is essential, writes Grace Ngai, so how can universities teach it effectively?

Grace Ngai

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Students project-based learning

Implementing project-based learning: a practical guide

Ibham Veza and Mohd Syaifuddin Mohd provide practical guidance and methodologies for introducing project-based learning and outline its potential impact on students

Ibham Veza, Mohd Syaifuddin Mohd

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Escape room at university

An introduction to creating escape rooms

Bernardo Pereira Nunes offers tips on how to get started on an escape room experience that will boost students’ teamwork, leadership, communication and problem-solving skills

Bernardo Pereira Nunes

Australian National University

Dentistry procedure

Lessons learned from a fellowship year as a dentist and early career researcher

Winning a fellowship as a dentist and spending a year in Graz as an international scholar not only taught me about the profession but also fostered my self-awareness, writes Dániel Végh

Dániel Végh

Semmelweis University

Student money worries ahead of internship

Equitable access to work-integrated learning is finally on the agenda in Australia

A group of Australian academics discusses what changes could ameliorate the issues faced by students from equity groups when it comes to accessing internships

Anne Hewitt , Craig Cameron , Deanna Grant-Smith , Laura Grenfell

The University of Adelaide, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland University of Technology