Teaching and learning

A tray with a jar of bath salts, lilies and towels sits on the edge of a candelit bathtub

Let’s prioritise self-care for the benefit of everyone

Self-care can make us better at our jobs, support our students more effectively and help to build a better community across academia. Karina Dancza offers her tips on how to implement self-care in your professional life

Karina Dancza

Singapore Institute of Technology

A row of matches becomes increasingly more burnt out

Stamp out burnout early on: how to spot the signs and what to do about them

Academic life has always been a breeding ground for burnout. Şerife Eyüpoğlu of Near East University points out the warning signs of extreme exhaustion

Şerife Eyüpoğlu

Near East University

AI concept

Learning the machine: shaping the future of creative education

Educators should engage with artificial intelligence and other technologies not just as users but as influencers, write Ed D’Souza and Sunil Manghani

Ed D'Souza, Sunil Manghani

University of Southampton

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

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

Asian woman working with robot arm

Interdisciplinarity is a core part of AI’s heritage and is entwined with its future

To train students to engage responsibly with artificial intelligence, a genuinely interdisciplinary perspective – from the language used to recognising that human and machine work in concert – is essential, write Elvin Lim and Jonathan Chase

Elvin Lim , Jonathan Chase

Singapore Management University

Group of students smiling at the camera

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

Monterrey Institute of Technology

College success

One write way to student success in mathematics

A detailed conversation and a letter begin a support process that can take students from repeated course failure to success and confidence. Here, Eric Grinberg explains how it works

Eric L. Grinberg

University of Massachusetts Boston

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

Beyond the classroom: why experiential learning is 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

Artificial intelligence represented by a digital image of a human head

Artificial intelligence and academic integrity: striking a balance

A look at how universities can encourage the ethical and transparent use of artificial intelligence tools to support learning while guarding against misconduct

Georgina Chami

The University of the West Indies

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

Students raising hands in class

‘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

Happy students learning outside

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

Female engineering students working on a robotics project

Transforming the classroom through experiential learning

A pilot programme aims to expand undergraduate students’ access to high-impact learning experiences to strengthen skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. Kate Williams looks at its outcomes

Kate Williams

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

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

Seven steps to being 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

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville

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

Stone Meredith explains how she hits the fundamental building blocks of UDL by leveraging popular culture sources using various media, particularly YouTube

Stone Meredith

Colorado State University Global

College student clapping her hands

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

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

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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

Female vision-impaired student using laptop

How do we write alternative text for images in education?

Descriptions of images in online documents help all readers – not just those with vision impairment – to fully understand the photograph, chart or graph and make the information accessible

Matthew Deeprose

University of Southampton

Group of young adults holding up speech balloons

Do you speak Gen Z or are you a noob?

Students want to study with academics who understand them and speak their language rather than learn from people they feel are out of touch. Here’s how to align your lingo and foster engagement

Jennifer Pulkkinen

University of Derby

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

A bored looking student in a lecture

A plan to prevent disengagement

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

Adeola Matthew

The University of the West Indies

Young black man studying at home on laptop

Moving microcredentials forward: how universities are incubators and early adopters

Education innovation will transform lifetime learning in two main ways: compacting instruction into digestible bites and standardising how microcredentials are used and delivered in (and beyond) higher education

Jonna Lee , Eric Scott Sembrat

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

School-age children in a corridor

How to create K-12 programmes to boost belonging and participation

Learning outside the traditional school day can help shape a young person’s lifelong education journey. Here’s how university programmes can establish an environment where they can thrive

Sirocus Barnes

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Aged care worker

Higher apprenticeships reimagined for lifelong learners

If Australia is serious about addressing pressing skills shortages and rapidly changing technology and labour markets, lifelong learning must become a practical reality, not an abstract goal, says Mish Eastman

Mish Eastman

RMIT University

Engineers working on a drone

The three Cs of the 21st-century workplace: cognition, character and career

Changing skill demands require a lifelong approach to education that prioritises self-efficacy, critical thinking and a growth mindset. Here is how these elements can fit together in learning and career preparation

Vijayakumari Seevaratnam, Russell Manfield

The University of Queensland

A middle aged woman working at a laptop

Open educational resources to make lifelong learning accessible to all

How open educational resources can be created and managed to ensure courses and materials that support lifelong learning are accessible to all aspiring students at little or no cost

Fiona Buckland

The University of Edinburgh

A power station

Moving beyond climate change to teach the climate crisis

Ways to scale up education relating to the climate crisis and the questions it must guide students to answer

Adam R. Aron

University of California San Diego

Teacher in tutorial

Using affective learning to 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

Abstract image representing free thoughts flying from a head in the form of butterflies

Biased AI poses a threat to academic freedom that must be confronted

How academics can manage and guide the use of generative artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT so that it enhances learning and independent thought and does not hamper academic freedom

Shweta Singh

The University of Warwick

Team looking happy around a table

Why hybrid learning needs hybrid faculties

Online courses should be integrated into everyday faculty functions to improve remote and in-person classes as well as the overall student experience

An Jacobs , Norma Rossi

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Loughborough University, University of St Andrews

Student doing open-book test at home

Goodbye memorisation, hello open-book test

Claudia Janeth Hernández Cardona offers practical advice on using open-book tests in our student evaluations

Claudia Janeth Hernández Cardona

Monterrey Institute of Technology

students laughing in class

How to use humour to boost student understanding and foster creativity

Humour is a versatile teaching tool, explains Pete Ludovice. It’s fun, it makes the lecturer seem more approachable, helps make complex concepts relatable, shifts cognitive load, and encourages innovation in the classroom

Peter Ludovice

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

A robot holds up a sign showing two people talking

Harness human and artificial intelligence to improve classroom debates

A guide to using artificial intelligence to support nuanced class debates that train students’ critical thinking and communication skills

Elmar Kutsch

Cranfield University

Student carrying out an assessment exercise

These are the best practices and most common mistakes in learning assessment

Cecilia Tagliapietra Ovies says that, while there is no single formula for learning assessment, there are certain basic principles institutions can follow to help ensure success

Cecilia Tagliapietra Ovies

CETYS Universidad

A male lecturer talks to a class of students

The ‘third way’ academic: becoming an education-focused professor

Career development tips for higher education professionals who take an education-focused pathway

Campus contributors

University of Bristol

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

A lecturer speaks to a hall of students

Should we trust students in the age of generative AI?

A look at how institutions can shape their policies relating to generative AI such as ChatGPT to build trust among students and guide them in its responsible use

Loïc Plé

IĒSEG School of Management

Online learning in project management

Why we need a new model for professional development credentials

Close collaboration between universities and industry can help higher education address the ‘skills emergency’ and rebuild trust in university qualifications, writes Mick Grimley

Mick Grimley

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury

Manchester at sunset

Unlocking urban secrets: learning through the exploration of our cityscapes

Teaching strategies to tap into the micro-narratives embedded within the urban landscape to support learning outside the classroom

Daniel Gutiérrez-Ujaque , Felipe Saravia

University of Lleida , University of Bio-Bio , University of Manchester

Three latina students studying together

Making space for emotions in learning

The trick is to design courses so cognitive and affective learning balance each other in a way that promotes empathy and deeper understanding of the content, writes Carol Subiño Sullivan

Carol Subiño Sullivan

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Listening and disagreeing respectfully

Respectful provocation: the university skill for our times?

Challenging students about their assumptions and values makes them better equipped to engage with the challenges of living in a diverse society, writes Mathew Guest

Mathew Guest

Durham University

man ticking virtual list on laptop

What makes an effective microcredential programme?

Short, flexible and skills-focused, microcredentials must balance the needs of students and industry. Here are tips on how to develop courses that achieve this

Temesgen Kifle

The University of Queensland

Lightbulb learning to learn

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

Hong Kong Polytechnic University