Student engagement

Academics and university staff address what student engagement means to them and offer advice on boosting attendance, class participation and building a campus community.

Student at a laptop smiling with a notebook in her hand

Partnering with students to build belonging in a blended learning environment

A sense of belonging and community plays a major role in maximising student engagement. But how can educators cultivate an authentic community?

Reimala Sivalingam

The University of Manchester

Two students outside campus smiling to camera

How can we create accessible and inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent students?

How can we actively engage neurodivergent students in the classroom? This resource offers practical guidance for fostering accessible and inclusive learning environments that honour diverse thinking and learning styles

Emilie Edwards

Middlesex University

How to initiate conversations about belonging

Belonging may not always look the same for all students, but creating opportunities for organic conversations can foster partnerships between staff and students and help us understand what students need

Emma Palmer

University of Hull

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

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Cooperation and partnership between robot and human stock illustration

Roles for AI to play in the classroom

From supporting classroom debate and discussion to problem-solving and decision-making, here are ways that artificial intelligence can enhance teaching and learning

Carl Follmer

University of Iowa

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

How to support international students’ smooth transition to a new country

Orientation is an ongoing process for international students, so welcome programmes need to extend further than a single day. Here, Mengping Cheng explains how to support new arrivals throughout their adjustment

Mengping Cheng

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

Two students sitting on the grass outside working at a laptop

Three strategies for fostering a culture of belonging on your campus

Three practical steps you can take to cultivate a campus culture where everyone feels welcome and students can thrive, whatever their background

Penny MacCormack

Association of College and University Educators

What about lifelong learning for international students?

International students might not be comfortable with the student-centred mindset that underpins continuous, self-directed learning. We must prepare them for lifelong learning so they are not left behind, argues Graham Wise

Graham Wise

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

Students at university looking to the left of the camera towards an off-screen instructor

Seven key strategies to make abstract concepts more exciting

Effective strategies to engage students in learning complex and abstract international relations theories

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

‘Well…what do you think?’ Responding to challenging questions in the moment

While daunting, tough questions from learners can be a catalyst for collaborative learning and critical thinking. Roma Forbes offers practical advice for how to respond in the classroom or the corridor

Roma Forbes

The University of Queensland

Eight tips for making teaching and learning more enjoyable for learners

From mixing up the teaching space to drawing on real-life examples, Perçem Arman outlines ways to make lessons more fun and thus increase participation

Perçem Arman

Near East University

ChatGPT and generative AI: 25 applications to support student engagement

In the fourth part of their series looking at 100 ways to use ChatGPT in higher education, Seb Dianati and Suman Laudari share 25 prompts for the AI tool to boost student engagement

Seb Dianati, Suman Laudari

Charles Darwin University

Students in a classroom, one of whom is raising her hand to ask a question

Simple solutions to the age-old challenge of classroom engagement

Drawing on his experience of teaching a microeconomics class of more than 200 students, Tony So shares failproof ways to engage students

Tony So

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

big versus small in the microlearning arena

Using fun and interactive micromodules to energise learning

Lee Chien Ching and Tan Kian Lip Erick share the intricate process of producing a micromodule that attracts students through an enjoyable, interactive learning experience

Tan Kian Lip Erick , Lee Chien Ching

Singapore Institute of Technology

Bring an apple for an exceptional university teacher

Take these seven steps to be a great teacher

The distinction between being a good teacher and a remarkable one transcends mere transmission of knowledge, writes Gabriela Espínola Carballo

Gabriela Espínola Carballo

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Accessing the what, how and why of universal design for learning using popular culture

Guidance on leveraging popular culture sources using various media, particularly YouTube, to hit the fundamental building blocks of UDL

Stone Meredith

Colorado State University Global

Reconceptualise the ‘classroom’ for enhanced student engagement

Student-centred learning strategies that will boost engagement holistically across in-person and digital learning spaces

Elena Riva, Heather Meyer

The University of Warwick

Asian student addressing class with microphone

Using the power of debate to enhance critical thinking

Asking students to analyse, defend and counterargue a contentious issue has proved an engaging way to teach reasoning and communication skills in organisational behaviour courses

M. C. Zhang

Macau University of Science and Technology

A plan to prevent disengagement

What educators can do to overcome three common causes of student disengagement with learning

Adeola A. Matthew

The University of the West Indies

Student in her bedroom sitting on the floor on her laptop listening to music

Sparking online joy: five ways to keep students engaged

Five guiding principles to use when designing and developing content for short online courses that will keep students engaged

Andrés Ordorica , Marcello Crolla, Lizzy Garner-Foy

The University of Edinburgh

Want student success? Modernising your careers centre is vital

Camille Dumont gives advice on how to adapt a university careers centre to better align with the evolving needs of students and the job market

Camille Dumont

Post University

Student survey filled out online at university

Want to know what the future of HE looks like? Ask your students

It’s time to embrace the student voice to improve inclusivity and innovation, and digital technology can be a massive help, writes Kristen McCartney

Kristen McCartney

Northumbria University

What is affective learning and how can it foster engagement and critical thinking?

It takes time, patience and training, but a teaching approach that recognises the role that emotions play in learning can result in a more positive, effective and impactful student experience

Jyoti Devi Mahadeo, Rabindra Nepal

University of Bradford, University of Wollongong

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)

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

Learning to learn: developing students into effective lifelong learners

Kevinia Cheung outlines an institutional approach to developing undergraduates’ ability to ‘learn to learn’

Kevinia Cheung

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

How to teach creative writing even if you’ve never done any yourself

A successful writing workshop depends on respect, which is a two-way street, observes Toby Litt. Refrain from sneering at bad writing and offer praise to offset the critiques

Toby LItt

University of Southampton

How humour stimulates critical thinking, creativity and communication skills

After assigning students to write comedy scripts instead of seminar papers, André Martinuzzi and Angelo Spoerk explain how humour has great potential as a learning method

André Martinuzzi, Angelo Spoerk

Vienna University of Economics and Business

Two male Asian students in a lecture theatre

The art of bringing humour into the classroom

A laugh or smile can lighten a lecture and make students more willing to speak up in class. Here are tips for using this nuanced, subjective tool in your teaching

Cheong Fan

Macau University of Science and Technology

Tips for applying universal design for learning in healthcare practice placements

Ailish Malone and Fiona Daly offer tips on implementing UDL in the busy and variable environment of students’ practical placements

Ailish Malone, Fiona Daly

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Seven questions about storytelling in the classroom

Ng Lee Keng explains why and how telling stories in class can transform student engagement and make your lessons more interesting

Ng Lee Keng

Singapore Institute of Technology

Brainstorming in the university classroom

Brainstorming can breathe new life into your classes

In education, brainstorming has been regarded mostly as a classroom engagement tool, but it can be so much more than that, says Mattia Miani

Mattia Miani

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China

Why micro-mentoring works for Generation Z

Breaking the support experience into bite-size exchanges does more to increase younger students’ appetite to keep going than the traditional one-to-one mentoring model

Raphaella Prange

Maryville University

Move student communication from passive to active using ‘I like, I wish, I wonder’

Rebeca Elizabeth Alvarado Ramírez introduces a methodology that encourages effective communication in digital learning processes

Rebeca Elizabeth Alvarado Ramírez

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Using active learning to increase student engagement and understanding

Creating an active learning environment in a large group setting is challenging. Ingrid Sierp shares ways to increase engagement, encourage attendance and gauge understanding in real time

Ingrid Sierp

Adelaide University

Male Asian student making heart symbol with his hands

Teaching from the heart in 13 steps

Engaging your students through empathy requires teachers to share their own stories and vulnerabilities and foster a safe space for learning. Here, Beiting He offers 13 ways to create a caring classroom

Beiting He

Macau University of Science and Technology

Asian student reading and studying at home for flipped classroom

Show students that the flipped classroom is much more than self-directed learning

Tan Bhing Leet provides three suggestions to help educators maximise the benefits of flipped classrooms

Tan Bhing Leet

Singapore Institute of Technology

Four strategies that rethink whole-group discussions

A guide to organising class discussions in different formats so that all students feel able to participate, based on insight from Harvard educators

Jeremy T. Murphy , Meira Levinson

College of the Holy Cross, Harvard University

How to promote primary interest in basic medical education at the undergraduate level

A major challenge for educators is to present the theoretical beauty of medicine to students who have a broad spectrum of prior experience, ability and motivation – whether their interest is clinical or theoretical

Attila Mócsai

Semmelweis University

Young women campaigning for more action on climate change

A practical approach to tackling eco-anxiety

We induce eco-anxiety by teaching students about climate change, so training them in practical and achievable solutions to it are needed, too, write Helen Hicks and Dawn Lees

Helen Hicks, Dawn Lees

The University of Exeter

Nudge technology can help students re-engage

Early-intervention initiatives to tackle student disengagement can be challenging to implement. A centralised, targeted approach using a communication nudge can encourage students to re-engage with online learning

Ellie Kay

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

A whole-campus approach to boost belonging for student success

Joint efforts among faculty, staff and students themselves can support first-year and transfer scholars to feel included and engaged, write Lorett Swank and Catherine Thomas

Lorett Swank, Catherine Thomas

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Introducing the ‘virtual rally’ – a strategy for collaborative learning

How to design and implement a virtual rally, which can help increase students’ attention, performance and ability to learn through collaboration

Rebeca Elizabeth Alvarado Ramírez , Dania Arriola Arteaga

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Undergraduate research to enrich teacher education

Designing, conducting and presenting a research project based on classroom experience can give students an early opportunity for critical reflection on their learning

Molly Riddle, Jacquelyn J. Singleton, Cathy Johnson

Indiana University Southeast

Illustration of human intelligence interacting with artificial intelligence

An introduction to prompting generative AI like ChatGPT for teaching and learning

To fulfil its potential, generative artificial intelligence requires effective instructions. In the first of a five-part series, Seb Dianati and Suman Laudari explain how to craft a useful AI prompt

Seb Dianati, Suman Laudari

Charles Darwin University

Two students walking down a corridor talking through some notes

Offer students a personal touch through peer support

As universities expand, they will need to take more of a personal approach to higher education – despite the huge cohorts – but how? Emma Norman suggests looking to the students themselves

Emma Norman

The University of Exeter

Which specific Covid disruptions impacted motivation and engagement?

Lockdowns, isolation, remote learning and more have impacted various aspects of students’ lives. Knowing what and how puts educators in a better position to offer support

Andrew J. Martin

UNSW Sydney

What is an authentic teacher and how can you become one?

Three tips identified by students that will help you develop an honest, strong relationship with students and become a more authentic teacher

Setenay Dilek Fidler, Gustavo Espinoza Ramos

University of Westminster

Teen with fingers on lips indicating a quiet space for autistic students

Five steps to support autistic students on their higher education journey

As we strive to create inclusive environments, it’s essential to implement strategies that assist and cater to the unique challenges faced by autistic students, says Jane Dashwood

Jane Dashwood

The University of Warwick

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