Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

How to create a positive first impression and transform the first class from a passive briefing to an interactive launchpad for learning

Intercultural online projects work best when designed around learning journeys with multiple pathways for participation. Read guidance on fostering connection, trust and engagement

Academic collaboration requires more than goodwill and good communication. These strategies can help collaborators navigate tensions around critique, hierarchy, incentives and AI-assisted research

How to encourage students to use AI as a reflective learning partner to strengthen weaknesses and respond to instructor feedback

By reducing screen time, students can recharge and reconnect with their physical surroundings. Learn how to guide them towards more mindful digital use

When we demonstrate clear benefits, offer incentives that support learning and intervene when students fall behind, we can make attending a more attractive choice. Read strategies based on student insights

Sometimes the best way to teach software engineering is to step away from the computer. Learn how to deliver a cardboard building activity that replicates a software development lifecycle

Comments such as ‘This is a good essay’ might reassure but won’t help a writer improve. Here’s how to show students what strong and weak peer feedback looks like

Reduce the tendency to ‘divide and write’ with a five-step process that draws on individual strengths, promotes constructive communication and ensures equal participation

How an anonymous email sparked a growing understanding of what it means to be a queer ally in higher education

By combining a comprehensive style guide with practical workshops and continuous feedback, among other strategies, universities can ensure English communications are clear, professional and consistent

Generative AI can speed up literature reviews, but it can also produce convincing false references. Learn practical strategies to help researchers use AI tools while keeping their work anchored in real, verifiable research

Doctoral students can find the slow and often uncertain nature of research challenging. Supervisors can ease distress by rethinking how the doctorate is framed, structured and experienced

By listening with compassion, normalising uncertainty and helping students break down large tasks into small steps, supervisors can support PhD students with both the academic and emotional demands of their studies, says Bhawana Shrestha

When we treat accessibility as a core design principle, it strengthens learning for all students and supports staff in creating learning environments where difference is expected rather than managed, writes Angela Fitzgerald

If governance becomes practical, proportionate and iterative, universities can foster exactly what they claim to value: responsible, creative experimentation, writes Garth Elzerman

A four-step process teaches students how to use GenAI tools to brainstorm ideas, understand and act on feedback and edit their essays in line with assessment rubrics

Gen Z students don’t need flashy visuals to keep them engaged. They want clear, effective design, say Svetoslav Georgiev and Joseph Tinsley

A framework for building robust partnerships that embed real-world experience into the curriculum, moving from single-course innovation to full programme transformation

Technology does not replace human connection. Here's how thoughtfully designed digital practices can make student support more accessible and responsive

AI tools can help students of English as a foreign language build confidence in academic speaking by offering structured practice opportunities, personalised feedback and support with idea generation. Ka Ho To explains how

Content curation offers academics a practical way to share knowledge beyond the academy. Kelvin Ke Jinde outlines different approaches and shows how they can help researchers extend their reach, save time and engage wider audiences

Curiosity, connection and communication are vital components of empathetic teaching, says Bhawana Shrestha. She explains how to make students feel safe, seen and supported

Success in the classroom doesn’t automatically make you a good manager. Garth Elzerman offers advice on building trust with the colleagues you lead

Guidance through four collaboration phases to ensure collaborative online international learning projects offer meaningful, technology-supported exchanges between institutions

Combining collaborative accountability with personal ownership helps students take risks, navigate challenges and reflect more deeply, writes Dane Taylor

Immersive, student-led open days help students explore pathways, spark curiosity and make better-informed programme choices. Here’s how

A competition tasking first-years with making explainer videos is boosting engagement, deepening understanding and giving students valuable hands-on AI experience. See how

Transforming quizzes from static assessments into live learning tools, JazzQuiz enables real-time feedback, anonymous participation and adaptive teaching, fostering deeper engagement, dialogue and understanding

Rejection is part of every academic journey, but that doesn’t make it easier to bear. Drawing from personal experiences, Bhawana Shrestha reflects on how shifting mindsets, embracing support and practising ‘gentle ambition’ helped her build resilience

Content-based instruction is reshaping English for academic purposes teaching by making subject matter central to language learning. Garth Elzerman and Catherine Sari share four strategies for creating deeper, more purposeful engagement in the classroom

Students’ success increasingly depends on their ability to demonstrate critical thinking and research skills. Here are four ways to help them develop these complex abilities through effective data analysis training and course design

Better questions can spark deeper discussions, boost engagement and develop critical thinking. These practical strategies – from questioning frameworks to encouraging peer review and self-directed assessment – can build a more curious, enquiry-driven classroom

Faced with students’ shyness and culture shock, how can English for academic purposes teachers on international branch campuses help them gain confidence in speaking English?

The HeXie framework can help students solve problems and build a sense of unity with their environment – an essential skill in uncertain times. Discover the theory behind it and how to nurture it to support student resilience

Hear experts discuss how they engage students in climate-conscious learning, build sustainability into course design and connect it to employability and wider social responsibility

How to use project-based learning to address ethical concerns and improve students’ AI literacy, including key questions to ask yourself before introducing the tools

Educators can modify the think-pair-share strategy to help students craft more detailed responses and take greater ownership of discussions. Learn how

Drawing from her autoethnographic experiences, Bhawana Shrestha discusses how she uses social media platforms to deepen collaboration, enrich methodology and widen participation in research

Project-based assessments rooted in real-world, institution-specific contexts help reduce over-reliance on GenAI by emphasising collaboration, oral defence and critical thinking. Learn how to design one effectively

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

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

As more educators adopt AI, the risk of becoming overwhelmed by the tools increases. Here are four practical strategies to prevent this

Belonging in higher education goes beyond access – it’s about feeling seen, valued and supported. This resource explores the barriers that prevent true inclusion and offers ways to create a more welcoming academic culture

Combining ancient wisdom with modern knowledge does not just broaden perspectives, it can also prompt climate action. Discover more benefits, and read advice on how to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into curricula

Students tend to be more comfortable with teachers using GenAI to support, rather than fully generate, learning materials. The key is to use it effectively and communicate your approach transparently

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

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

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

You can promote self-directed learning by breaking down tasks and integrating an AI chatbot into your course management system. Here’s how

Hearing first-hand from industry professionals about AI’s impact on workplaces can alleviate career anxiety. Here is how to organise firm visits and prompt post-activity reflection

A four-step plan for more meaningful assessment that incorporates AI-assisted evaluation, group discussions and presentations

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

Many educators experience compassion fatigue at some point in their careers. Prevent it by shifting your perspective, setting boundaries and building strong support networks

Advice on delivering sustainability-focused guest lectures in collaboration with industry experts and reinforcing learning with project-based assessments

Read about how a poster presentation task can promote students’ engagement with course content and each other

Read about a strategy that helped an educator living with an eye condition build emotional resilience and create a more inclusive classroom environment

What is metacognition and how can we get students to evaluate and improve their thinking?

Teaching students whose first language is not English to write concise abstracts helps them develop their academic writing skills, but providing feedback on them can often be laborious. Here is how you can use ChatGPT to speed up the process

A creative introduction sparks engagement, builds rapport and creates an atmosphere conducive to learning. Here are ways to make a good first impression

There are several tools available to help English for academic purposes assess students’ writing skills. Here is some guidance on how to use a selection of them

A professor explains how he leverages emotions to enhance students’ learning, using an approach called ‘mastering emotions in entrepreneurship education’

Overconfidence often prevents students from being able to identify areas of weakness. As teachers, we must help them realise what they are

Online courses often lack the kind of spontaneity that builds critical thinking skills. So how can we make up for this?

Helping English for academic purposes students provide better quality feedback to their peers can give them more autonomy and free up teachers’ time

Activating students’ higher-order thinking skills enhances student satisfaction, research shows. Here are some examples of ways to do it

Want to improve your teaching but not sure where to start? Rebecca Wakelin offers quick practical strategies that will kickstart efforts to enhance your teaching practice

The whiteboard serves as a powerful tool to help students visualise concepts, facilitate group work and provide immediate feedback, aligning with the theory that knowledge is built through active, hands-on experiences

Practical steps to enhance student vocabulary learning through a systematic approach that assures repeated exposure to important terms

Suggestions for teachers who want to create podcasts to supplement formal classroom learning, based on the experience of an English for academic purposes teacher

This resource offers guidance on how to design and promote extracurricular courses that you can offer alongside academic ones to boost employability

Simulations and games can significantly enhance students’ understanding of complex topics and help them apply relevant theories in real-world contexts

Connecting the Sustainable Development Goals with language teaching and learning can provide meaningful learning experiences, writes Chaonan Xu

Overcome project-based learning challenges with strategies aimed at empowering students to develop interdisciplinary skill sets

Women still face many hurdles on the road to leadership in higher education. Qiuling Chao outlines how we can overcome them

By leveraging technology to create an anonymous and collaborative space, educators can empower hesitant students to actively contribute and foster a more interactive and inclusive learning environment

Using social activities fosters a more dynamic and meaningful connection between students and the language they’re learning. Yanfang Si offers guidance on building students’ knowledge and skills through structured social activities

Low class attendance has been a growing trend since the pandemic, so how can we encourage students to come back? Educators at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University share their innovative strategy

Simulation games can improve students’ understanding of lean manufacturing. Here are five tips for incorporating them into your teaching practice

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

Getting involved in campus life beyond the classroom brings multiple benefits for students, so how can universities encourage greater participation in the range of activities on offer?

Strategies for writing effective abstracts for conference and research papers

Delivering quality feedback for every individual student in a large class can be challenging. That is where peer feedback can help if structured and guided effectively, write four teaching academics

How to help students appreciate feedback as a useful aid to learning so that they engage with it in a productive way

Strategies to strengthen student engagement and build community in virtual learning environments by encouraging all students to turn on their cameras, by Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati

XJTLU’s new Entrepreneur College had to work fast to build a sense of belonging among its first student cohorts, and one way it did this was by hosting a series of events. Xiaotong Lu shares the strategies adopted

Tips to improve student retention, engagement and participation drawn from teaching blended and online introductory computer programming courses, which cannot rely on in-person labs

Steps that tutors can take to better support students who are non-native speakers of English and ensure they feel included and able to play an active role in their university community

Academics and students from five countries worked together to decolonise a reading list for a public health module, through a global lens. Here, they describe how they did it

The key to promoting the uptake of new edtech tools and teaching innovation among faculty, based on research

Advice on setting pedagogical goals and planning a simulated international summit to support experiential learning for remote students, by Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati

Digital tools that promote interaction and competition in class can have notable benefits to learning, as Yuyang Zhao explains, based on her use of quizzes

The self-directed nature of asynchronous learning makes it easy for students to disengage. Guhuai Jiang and Jiayu Zhou offer strategies that boost students’ motivation when working on their own

Used strategically, technology can be employed to make teaching more entertaining and engaging. Luqian Huang shares examples of how to use digital tools to support effective pedagogies

Universities face obstacles in helping distance learners access practical work experience. Ewout van der Schaft and Alex Mackrell share insight from initiatives at their business school

Using English for academic discussion and mediation is a challenge for students who are not native speakers. Laura McNabb shares classroom games that help students learn the language skills they need

Uncertainty is a major challenge to mental health so a team at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University used a business management tool to help students cope with worries about the future. Here, they explain how

The ability to work effectively as part of a team is a vital life skill. Steven Bateman, Yan Jin and Jie Zhang explain how they support and train students in teamwork

Academics can offer insight based on research and professional experience that is applicable far beyond the scope of academic journals. Samuel Kim Kwong Kwok shares a guide to engaging with the mainstream consumer media

Co-authoring with other researchers can result in more ambitious and exciting papers than solo endeavours but is also fraught with potential hiccups. Steven Bateman and Jie Zhang share advice on keeping collaborative work on track

A simple way to ensure quicker and more transparent handling of technical hiccups that builds trust between teaching faculty and IT teams, explained by Xin Bi

Lack of student engagement creates challenges when language learning moves online. Yuyang Zhao explains how to create an interactive environment that helps mitigate some of the key issues

Language translation software is an increasingly powerful and widely used tool, but how is it used by students learning in a second language, and what challenges does this present to their teachers? Andy McIntosh highlights some practical and ethical considerations

How to move from printed to digital workbooks rich with interactive content such as audio, video and quizzes, to improve online learning outcomes while boosting sustainability

A guide to using action learning – questioning knowledge to find solutions – to evaluate and improve teaching practices, based on research by Na Li, Qian Wang, Jiajun Liu and Victoria Marsick

Nick Merwitzer explains why and how music projects can help build a sense of connection and belonging on campus and outlines the key considerations for supporting student ‘bands’

Na Li, Xiaojun Zhang and Maria Limniou offer tips to counter the hidden cultural and social factors that reduce acceptance of virtual learning environments, based on their research

Sam Evans and David Collett share a framework to guide students in effective peer review to boost learning outcomes

Shuhan Li and Olivia Sun share what they learned when testing out gamification strategies and technologies to tackle challenges presented by online learning

Parag Dandgey shares creative-writing activities designed to improve students’ critical-thinking skills by developing their understanding of multiple perspectives

Charlie Reis shares advice on successfully teaching large cohorts by getting students actively involved in learning activities rather than passively listening

Yidan Qin shares some key lessons from a survey of students regarding what is needed to make online teaching effective

Online review exercises, used in combination with other learning activities, improve student engagement and learning performance in large online courses, Peng Cheng and Rui Ding explain

Kelvin Ke Jinde offers a step-by-step guide to creating instructional videos to support your teaching with the help of stock footage

Xiaowei Li and Lulu Wang explore how to take an on-campus institution such as a university library online to deliver hands-on information literacy skills to students around the world

Trent Montgomery shares the key considerations for developing effective hybrid flexible teaching that will boost universities’ educational offering in the long term

Christopher Brighton presents a model of global virtual exchange that could be easily replicated at any institution to enhance its students’ intercultural knowledge and skills

Pascal Grange explains how online educational resources can be used to complement teaching and enhance students’ opportunities for learning

Academics from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University draw on their research showing the Western teaching model based on ‘self-directed learning’ is effective among Chinese students coming from different educational and cultural contexts

Collaboration is a vital life skill but can be challenging after an education infused with competition at every step. Jie Zhang, Qing Ye and Steven Bateman explain how they overcome this when setting group work

Yanfang Si shares simple online teaching methods to make students feel connected and supported and so help meet their emotional needs from a distance

Online teaching offers many opportunities to drive education and awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals. Ellen Touchstone explains how

Universities should lead by example on sustainability issues, looking at what they can do to shrink their environmental impact. Here, Ling Xia and Yao Wu outline a project that could herald a major reduction in their institution’s paper consumption

Blended learning enables universities to serve students on campus and overseas with a quality education but requires careful planning and delivery, as Eddy S Fang, Ewout van der Schaft and Patricia Pieterse explain

Markus Davis explains how three guiding principles of flexibility, inclusion and empathy have helped shape a hybrid teaching model that serves both on-campus and overseas students effectively

Gisela Loehlein on how digital communications can assist in spreading knowledge and awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, through virtual global events and building connections between experts and institutions all over the world

With its lack of physical boundaries, online teaching can be used to boost access to learning for international students, as Stuart Perrin explains

Educational technologist Roland Sherwood explains how faculty can get the most from their work with digital experts to enhance online teaching