Eyes on the horizon: Innovations in providing higher education

A look at new models of higher education designed to meet changing student and societal needs

Advice on innovative new models of higher education provision

Universities are often accused of being sclerotic institutions, stuck in centuries old models of higher education delivery. But if the resources in this Spotlight tell you anything, it’s that these criticisms are no longer valid. Universities around the world recognise that demand for higher education is changing for both students and employers and are coming up with innovative responses. From microcredentials and flexible lifelong learning to new forms of experiential learning and innovative course design, this collection presents some of the brightest ideas in alternative delivery and credential models.

Covid as a catalyst: deepening lifelong learning

Miriam Green and Susanna Leong share key considerations for universities to develop effective lifelong learning programmes that will keep pace with the rapid changes across higher education

Miriam Jacqueline Green, Susanna HS Leong

National University of Singapore

A more flexible approach to higher education

Advice for universities on developing their lifelong learning strategies

Developing flexible lifelong learning in line with changing needs and opportunities 

Jonathan Michie shares insight to help institutions develop lifelong learning strategies that meet the need for flexible and relevant educational programmes

Jonathan Michie

University of Oxford

Advice on delivering far reaching faculty development training in blended learning

A model for developing global expertise in blended learning

Daniella Bo Ya Hu outlines a framework for building expertise in blended learning using lessons in capacity development, staff incentivisation and leadership learned from an international pilot training programme

Daniella Bo Ya Hu

The Association of Commonwealth Universities

A laptop, coffee and apple depict an unrealistic working from home set-up

Let’s embrace flexible learning as much as we have flexible working

Much like working from home, remote teaching and learning come with a range of benefits to learners if we just make room for them

Matt Jenner

FutureLearn

Advice on what to put in place to remotely guide and monitor students in work placements

Short online courses can grease the wheels of student employability

The degree has transitioned from differentiating factor to basic benchmark. Online microcredentials can help graduates stand out from their rivals, says Madina Tash

Madina Tash

University of Sussex

Teaching the skills wanted by employers in 2021 and beyond

Dilshad Sheikh makes a case for universities to work more closely with employers to shape industry-relevant courses and expose students to more real-world practical training and assessment

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

Student-centred teaching

Design online courses from a student's point of view for better user experience

UX for teaching: designing online courses from a student’s point of view

Gearoid O’Suilleabhain explains how academics can improve the ‘user experience’ of their online courses by looking at the design from a student’s perspective

Gearoid O'Suilleabhain

Munster Technological University

Redefining higher education for the digital age

The lecture is dead, long live the lecture: Redefining higher education in a digital age

The move to online teaching is a chance to redesign higher education delivery to reflect the way students learn, replacing traditional lectures with more interactive material, as Kylie Readman, Garth Maker and Astrid Davine explain

Kylie Readman, Garth Maker, Astrid Davine

Murdoch University

How to facilitate active, collaborative, authentic learning online

Active, collaborative, authentic: the evolution of teaching post-Covid

How to facilitate active, collaborative and authentic learning experiences by using digital tools to enhance teaching now and post-Covid-19

Michael Sankey

Griffith University

Advice on designing new programmes relevant to today's student needs

Designing postgraduate education as a means of sharing and developing academic and professional knowledge

Gill Aitken and Tim Fawns explain how to design online postgraduate courses that operate at the boundaries of the academic and professional worlds

Gill Aitken, Tim Fawns

The University of Edinburgh

Instructional design advice: how to translate your academic knowledge into an effective online course

Instructional designer Marcello Crolla talks through the basics of how to create effective, engaging online courses

Marcello Crolla

The University of Edinburgh

Future proofing pedagogies

Advice on selecting the right ed-tech tools to support your teaching and learning

Enabling staff-student co-creation of experiential learning at scale

Simon Riley and Gavin McCabe share a reflective learning and assessment framework for staff and students to co-create experiential learning that is scalable and effective

Simon Riley, Gavin McCabe

The University of Edinburgh

Difficult and emotional course content is easier to digest through non-linear, asynchronous delivery

Online micro-learning can transform the teaching of sensitive topics

Non-linear course design means that emotive and uncomfortable content can be paused or skipped and returned to another time, says Gemma Ahearne

Gemma Ahearne

University of Liverpool

Advice on creating virtual fieldtrips to complement in-person teaching

Playing the field: how virtual field trips can benefit student learning now and in future

Theresa Mercer and colleagues explain how to develop virtual field trips that support in-person learning, boost accessibility and help future-proof teaching against unforeseen challenges

Theresa Mercer

University of Lincoln

Selecting tools to promote personalised teaching and to encourage more self-regulated learning online

Virtual classroom connections: enhancing three presence elements via online tools

Nguyen Hoang Thuan and Pham Cong Hiep provide practical tips for enhancing three types of presence – teaching, social and cognitive – in online learning and teaching, based on their research

Nguyen Hoang Thuan, Pham Cong Hiep

RMIT University Vietnam

Fake news, educated views and how-tos: social media for teaching and research

Terese Bird shares her ideas on how to use some of the most popular social media platforms to support your teaching and research

Terese Bird

University of Leicester

Supporting students in new forms of learning

Advice on developing a pedagogy with care and compassion at its core

A pedagogy of kindness: the cornerstone for student learning and wellness

Fiona Rawle outlines a pedagogy founded on human connection, care and compassion that improves student learning outcomes

Fiona Rawle

University of Toronto Mississauga

Advice on preparing students so they get the most out of the flipped classroom model

How to induct students into the flipped-classroom model

Jonathan Sim explains how he has designed learning activities to ensure students complete the preparation work necessary to get the most out of the flipped-classroom model

Jonathan Sim

National University of Singapore

Advice on providing comprehensive support for remote students through academic advising

Building a community of support for remote students through academic advising

Janet Morrison details academic advising strategies that keep students feeling connected and supported throughout their educational journeys when learning online

Janet Morrison

Champlain College Online