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.

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

Useful techniques for remembering students’ names

It’s important – and possible – to remember students’ names at university level, says Ng Lee Keng

Ng Lee Keng

Singapore Institute of Technology

Storyboarding is a crucial step in using animations for university teaching

Using animation to stimulate learner engagement

Videos are a popular means of engaging students in learning concepts, and using animated videos allows a wide range of contexts and situations to be explored

Mahmud Masum, Janice Loftus , Paul Moss

Adelaide University

ADHD in the head of a university student

ADHD in higher education: is digital learning making it worse?

Hopping between multiple apps and platforms can easily overwhelm students with ADHD – we must be alert to the effects of too much digital multitasking, says Adrian J. Wallbank

Adrian J. Wallbank

Oxford Brookes University

A university tutor gives students feedback

What students told us ‘good’ feedback means to them

Asking students what they need from our feedback and responding to their answers makes them active partners in their learning process

David Waller, Kaye Chan, Geetanjali Saluja

University of Technology Sydney

University students belonging, on a city walk

Build community into the curriculum to improve in-person attendance

If the lecture theatre is empty, it’s time to get more innovative in our delivery, says Gemma Ahearne. Here, she offers approaches that show students the value of attending

Gemma Ahearne

University of Liverpool

A team of colleagues in discussion in a meeting

Building bridges between academics and professional services

Five strategic tactics for a seamless collaboration between academics and professional staff in pursuit of a learner-centred education

Foteini Springou

University of York

Students mixing and experiencing flexible lectures

Ever wished lectures could be more flexible? Introducing the ‘flecture’

Does the design of lecture theatres actually hinder knowledge dissemination? Richard Layzell discusses his experiments in shifting the norms of education delivery

Richard Layzell

University of Kent

Four steps to design a course that motivates students and consolidates learning

Yolanda Domínguez Medina, Mayela Beatriz Rodríguez Romo and Martha Fabiola Espinosa Mata outline the key stages for designing engaging courses

Yolanda Domínguez Medina, Mayela Beatriz Rodríguez Romo , Martha Fabiola Espinosa Mata

Tecnológico de Monterrey

What to do when your students don’t seem to care

Ayten Ordu outlines some of the strategies available to academics when students have lost their enthusiasm for lessons and lectures

Ayten Ordu

Near East University

Scaling up your university with student satisfaction

Scaling success: how to retain the student experience when going for growth

Improving experience and outcomes for students while growing requires changes to student support and better understanding of their needs, says Alice Wilby

Alice Wilby

University College Birmingham

Ease students’ climate anxiety by encouraging climate action

Climate anxiety is a mental health issue and universities can help students overcome it through climate action, multiplying their own impact along the way, writes Cecil Scheib

Cecil Scheib

New York University

Spice up your lectures: engagement strategies for higher education

Ibham Veza and Davannendran Chandran provide an exhaustive checklist of practical strategies for captivating students and retaining their attention

Ibham Veza, Davannendran Chandran

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Adults playing with constructing a small wheeled object

More play to engage students and deepen learning

Play is a powerful learning tool that boosts engagement, exploration and community. Here three lecturers outline some of the ways it can best be used

Noelia Dominguez Falcon , Kelly Edmunds , Becky Lewis

The University of East Anglia

Young female student talks to an older coach or mentor

How academic coaching influences student performance and institutional outcomes

As colleges and universities grapple with stagnant graduation rates, academic coaching offers a tangible means to improve individual student performance as well as institutional outcomes, Lindsay F. Tierney explains

Lindsay F. Tierney

Virginia Commonwealth University

Power to the people through automation of peer support programmes

The management of large institution-wide programmes such as peer support can be improved and scaled with the help of automation, as Amanda Pocklington explains

Amanda Pocklington

The University of Exeter

Poetry can be used in many classes at university

Poetry is a door into many disciplines, not just a literary one

A poem can act as a memory aid, ground facts in individual experience and prompt questions about policy, power and generational impact, says Pádraig Ó Tuama

Pádraig Ó Tuama

Poetry Unbound

Effective feedback techniques for struggling students

Giving feedback on work that does not meet the required standard requires great tact and understanding of your students, says Ilse Mariana Leyva Barrera

Mariana Leyva

Tecnológico de Monterrey

line of blocks with arrows on top face against blue background

‘I just wish all lecturers would use the VLE in the same way’

A consistent approach to blended teaching and learning across the whole institution can shift the student experience. Here’s a way to achieve it – from page templates to staff training

Alison Torn

Leeds Trinity University

Online class asynchronous or synchronous

Synchronous or asynchronous? When to use which when teaching online

Eunice Costilla Cruz and Elizabeth Marcial Morales examine the right time to make use of synchronous moments in virtual courses, and when asynchronous ones are more suitable

Eunice Costilla Cruz , Elizabeth Marcial Morales

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Male healthcare working giving a presentation

Advice for lecturers on how to keep students’ attention

Psychology-based rhetoric training is a way to help lecturers counteract the fall in students’ active attention span. This programme aims to give them speaking skills and confidence that will enhance their effectiveness as educators

Kinga Györffy, András Matolcsy

Semmelweis University

Top tips on providing useful feedback to students

From showing appreciation for effort to using game-based learning effectively, Preeti Aghalayam outlines some options for making feedback work for your students

Preeti Aghalayam

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras

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