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.

Campus talks: the complex factors that drive students’ sense of belonging

An expert in student belonging and engagement in the digital environment explains the nuances of belonging, mattering and inclusion as well as how to foster well-being in higher education

Karen Gravett

University of Surrey

A finger follows text in a book written in question marks

How to support students with dyslexia in your teaching

Students dealing with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties may struggle in the classroom more than their peers. With their number increasing, here’s how to give them the space they need to learn

María Catalina Bolaños Dubos

Universidad Austral

Are we overlooking the power of autonomy when it comes to motivating students?

Educators fear giving students too much choice in their learning will see them making the wrong decisions. But structuring choice without dictating the answers could be the way forward

Danny Oppenheimer

Carnegie Mellon University

Two film students working on a project together

Use peer assessment to give students more accountability in group projects

Structured peer assessment can significantly improve student engagement and accountability in group work. Read about two methods that led film students to produce better-quality work

Qian Zhuang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A happy group of students pose on a flight of steps

Three strategies to build student belonging from the start of their academic journey

Many students struggle with the jump from school to university life. Here are three ways to help them hit the ground running

Siu Yau Lee

Hong Kong Baptist University

Exterior of the Newman Library at Virginia Tech

How to put joy at the centre of the university library

The role of the university library is poised for re-evaluation – not just as an academic hub but as a space where connection, belonging and access can come alive in everyday ways. Pro tip: cake and dogs help. Kayla McNabb explains

Kayla McNabb

Virginia Tech

Students as climate champions: a road map for universities

Universities must empower students to lead the fight against climate change. From green initiatives to student-led campaigns, here’s how to embed sustainability across all aspects of university life

Manjushree G Naik

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Students discussing a group project in class

How I teach students to assess each other’s work

Peer marking helps students build valuable skills and reflect on their own work. Here’s how to make the process smooth and effective

Anirudha Poria

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Creativity is buffering: why curiosity struggles in a world obsessed with certainty

Creative work demands exploration and uncertainty, but students today have been conditioned to expect fixed outcomes and instant answers. David Thompson explores how that mindset is stalling curiosity and what educators can do to restore it

David Thompson

University of Lincoln

How to overcome ‘forum fatigue’ with activities that students enjoy

While online forums have been shown to boost learning and retention, if ‘forum fatigue’ sets in, students disengage. Here, Emilie Rutledge proposes a way to design activities that are most likely to elicit student participation

Emilie Rutledge

The Open University

‘What I learned when students walked out of my AI class’

Chris Hogg found the question of using AI to create art troubled his students deeply. Here’s how the moment led to deeper understanding for both student and educator

Chris Hogg

Royal Holloway, University of London

Generation Z students against yellow background

Reimagining connection and communication for Gen Z students

Generation Z students relate, communicate and build belonging in ways shaped by digital fluency, disrupted in-person learning and evolving social norms. This gives educators an opportunity to rethink how they teach

Gary F. Fisher, Dean Fido

University of Derby

Coco the Therapy dog in the Templeman Library on University of Kentcampus

Ask students what mental health support they need

A student-led advisory board can help universities understand what services students will use and how they prefer to engage with support

Ryan Wong

University of Kent

Principles and practicalities of partnership working with students

For effective co-creation with students, university leaders need to move beyond surveys and get them involved in decision-making. The Russell Group institutions together set out best practice steps for doing this

Deborah Gill, Simon To

University of Southampton, UCL

From ‘filler’ to ‘fulfilling’: how to change students’ perceptions of a course

Ways to employ tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot to show students the real-world relevance of so-called filler courses

Elizabeth Marcial Morales

Tecnológico de Monterrey

A teacher guides students through an activity

Build empathy with your students – and grow as an academic

Find out simple ways to develop empathy in your interactions with students, and the effect it can have on your teaching as a whole

Oshan Uluşan

Near East University

Ubuntu philosophy: how embracing cultural heritage in the classroom can enhance teaching

Teaching that incorporates this African value system prioritises relationship building and authenticity. Here’s how to put it into practice

Chipo Simbi

University of Southampton

The path towards a tobacco-free campus

For the health of students and staff and the good of the planet, a tobacco-free campus is the only option for a modern university. Özen Aşut shares how the efforts of her students prompted real change in northern Cyprus

Özen Aşut

Near East University

Three images - one thumbs up, one down and one in the middle

How to encourage peer review in online courses

A framework and practical strategies to train students to provide constructive peer feedback that improves learning outcomes

Jie Zhang, Steven Bateman, Qing Ye

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A student filling in a questionnaire at their laptop

Use weekly class surveys to support learning

How regular student surveys help you understand their needs, adapt your teaching content and encourage active classroom discussions

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

The importance of educational cultural awareness in the multicultural classroom

What happens when you mix contrasting worldviews and pedagogies in one university classroom? Find out how to balance students’ biases – and your own – to prepare them for a globalised world

Marie N. Bernal

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Young woman surrounded by light bulbs, creative concept

‘Creative students need environments where risk feels possible, not paralysing’

Creative students are often encouraged to be bold and brave, but it’s hard when doubt, perfectionism and fear of judgement cloud their minds. David Thompson explores what educators can do to help them reconnect with curiosity and play

David Thompson

University of Lincoln

Reshaping assessment to outsmart AI

Adapting common assessment types can not only deter the overuse of AI – and avoid administration overload – but support student learning in a more authentic and engaging manner

Rebecca Mace, Viktoria Magne, Sarah Hooper, Sharon Vince

University of Worcester, University of West London

Poster approaches to embedding real-world learning into coursework

A data visualisation task can support students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills as well as give context to themes around sustainability. Here’s how to put it into practice

Lisa Winstanley

Nanyang Technological University

If AI were a DJ…

This class exercise uses metaphor to help non-technical students gain a clearer understanding of what artificial intelligence is – and what this complex, opaque technology isn’t

Pablo Sanguinetti

IE University

A teacher smiling to camera holding a student's paper

How to talk to students about their writing

Verbal feedback can encourage students to think critically and independently about their language learning and improve future work. These tips explain how to put the method into practice

Lulu Jin

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

The power of a 30-minute meeting

One-to-one coaching sessions with students are an ideal forum to share individualised feedback, advice for academic and professional growth, and ways to build learner self-efficacy and confidence. Here’s how they support student success in a global classroom

R. Katherine Samford, Kendall Nelson

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Students working on a research project with staff

Two ways to teach undergraduate students research skills

How to ensure students are treated as partners in research collaborations and help them develop the skills they need for further study and beyond

Louise Hewitt

University of Greenwich

A team works on a project using a whiteboard

Shape the next generation of project managers with co-creation

A cross-disciplinary, student-led project to design a simulation tool helped students find a safe environment in which to practise their workplace skills. Here’s how it worked

Ralitsa Arnaudova , Pablo Salva

University of the West of Scotland

A student putting their hand up in class

Give everyone a chance to speak in class

Implementing turn-taking protocols and allowing students time to prepare are two strategies that ensure every student has an equal opportunity to participate in class discussions

Yishi Lin

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Wooden blocks, one with the word "empthy" inscribed on it

What does empathy look like in the classroom?

How to demonstrate empathy for students – and self – to improve classroom interactions and ensure equity

Neha Wadhwa

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Students engage in a lively classroom debate

Let’s make the university a safe space to discuss sensitive topics

Public debate is becoming ever more polarised, both on and offline. But higher education has an opportunity to lay out a blueprint for healthy dialogue, starting in our classrooms – here’s how to do it

Carolina Sanchez-Agostini, Juan Pablo Cannata

Universidad Austral

A lectern with two microphones in front of a crowded audience

How to communicate your research to anyone

Presenting research to a non-academic audience requires a different set of skills compared with speaking to your peers. Follow these techniques to get your point across to the layman

Mats Vermeeren

Loughborough University

Tips for successful asynchronous teaching: supporting students, part two

As the most remote form of teaching, asynchronous courses require well-managed communication so students stay on-board and engaged – and understand all the requirements

Figen Mekik

Grand Valley State University

Young black student in headphones at laptop

Tips for successful asynchronous teaching: creating engaging content, part one

Despite its flexibility and ability to reach across distance and time zones, asynchronous teaching is still seen as subpar when compared with in-person or even synchronous online courses. However, done well, it offers surprising advantages, as Figen Mekik explains

Figen Mekik

Grand Valley State University

A teacher live streaming from a smart phone

Go live on social media to engage with prospective students

Meeting prospective international students in person isn’t always possible. Here’s how to create engaging live streams on social media, from selecting valuable content to structuring sessions and encouraging interaction

Alex Fenton

University of Chester

How to be empathetic when teaching first-year students

Creating a supportive and understanding learning environment can build trust, lessen anxiety and improve learning outcomes for students entering university. These practical actions will help educators incorporate empathy into their teaching

Abdulhusein Mizhir Almaamuri

Al-Mustaqbal University

A happy group of students pose for a photo

Diversity isn’t a one-off task, it’s a learning journey

With diversity practices under threat, where can universities go from here? Ibiyemi Omeihe and Kingsley O. Omeihe outline the path to truly inclusive learning

Ibiyemi Omeihe , Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

A teacher designing an infographic on her laptop

Canva and ChatGPT for feedback and academic support

Don’t bore your students with lengthy, written feedback. Here are ways to make it more visually appealing and how to use custom GPTs to offer extra academic support

Mariana Elizondo, Eunice Costilla Cruz

Tecnológico de Monterrey

A lecturer explains a concept to students using a whiteboard

Connect with your students inside and outside the classroom

Empathy is essential for creating a supportive learning environment. Here’s how to cultivate compassion in your teaching and address common challenges faced by students

Philip Y Lam

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Assessment or measurement?

Authentic assessments and measurements serve distinct purposes in understanding student success in higher education. Here’s why equating the two can undermine the depth and quality of student learning

Heather Strine-Patterson

Virginia Tech

A young woman takes a deep breath at a laptop

Is authentic assessment leaving some students behind?

Does a more authentic assessment for some students mean an inauthentic experience for others? Here’s how to address this by adopting a student-focused lens

Sue Sharpe, Jennifer Z Sun

Australian National University, University of Sydney

An AI toolkit for all aspects of academic life

Harness the power of technology to reshape the tasks that make up your day. Here are the best AI tools to use in higher education

Urbi Ghosh

Colorado State University Global

Want to teach during your PhD? Here’s what you should know

How to prepare for your first teaching experience, manage your time and keep students engaged in class

Marios Kremantzis, Rushana Khusainova

The University of Bristol

Working in partnership with PhD students to enhance postgraduate research culture

With guidance on the REF 2029 assessment of People, Culture and Environment just published, how might UK universities’ approach to partnership with postgraduate research students demonstrate their engagement with the factors said to enable positive research culture?

Maisha Islam , Fabien Littel, Nandini Das

University of Southampton

Three Asian university students in a classroom

‘We should focus on the effect of the technology rather than the technology itself’

How much tech is helpful in the classroom? Highlighting both benefits and drawbacks, John Komar explains how computer vision and AI can reinforce personal connections and interactions between teacher and students

John Komar

Nanyang Technological University

A teacher giving a PowerPoint presentation

Say goodbye to boring presentations

GenAI can supercharge your PowerPoint presentations to offer students interactive opportunities that increase participation and deepen learning. Here’s how

Chaonan Xu

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Online should not mean offline for business lecturers

When online courses are delivered more or less to a prescribed script, this leaves little space for an educator’s personalised contribution and autonomy, writes Anita Wheeldon. Here, she makes the case against ‘teacherless pedagogy’

Anita Wheeldon

The University of Southern Queensland

A cheerful student waves hello on a Zoom call

What’s the crucial element for interdisciplinary teamwork? Psychological safety

Foster a sense of radical openness in your interdisciplinary online learning environment by establishing psychological safety – here’s how

Helena Robinson, Fabian Held

University of Technology Sydney, University of Sydney

Participants of a focus group chatting in a circle

Show students you care

When you prioritise well-being, your students will thank you for it. Show kindness by taking steps to reduce cognitive load and create a welcoming and engaging learning environment

Natalie K. D. Seedan

The University of the West Indies

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