Cover diversions: what to read over the winter breakWho better to recommend winter reading than university library staff?Georgia Tech library staffGeorgia Tech College of Lifetime Learning
How to decolonise initial teacher education: start with yourself Decolonisation has the potential to rattle higher education’s sandstones and ivory towers, yet many struggle to know where to start. Karen Lambert and lisahunter use the context of initial teacher education in Australia to explain that it starts with youKaren Lambert, lisahunterMonash University
Engage your students with these feedback strategies Angeles Aguirre and Jorge Mosqueda provide simple introductions to four methods of feedback, from video summaries and social media posts to rubricsAngeles Carolina Aguirre-Acosta , Jorge Alberto Mosqueda BenavidesTecnológico de Monterrey
What higher education can learn from school and further education teachingAs universities strive to improve teaching, they should look to schools and further education colleges for lessons in effective pedagogy and student engagement, write Russ Woodward, Tim Veal and Nicola PattinsonRussell Woodward, Tim Veal, Nicola PattinsonUniversity Centre Grimsby: The TEC Partnership
It’s crucial for universities to bridge the ‘town and gown’ divideJames Derounian considers how universities act as good neighbours to their host communities and recommends a simple exercise to break free of the ivory towersJames DerounianUniversity of Bolton
Data analytics to target student support and address problems earlyHow higher education institutions can incorporate data analytics into student support strategies to pinpoint risk factors that could disrupt a student’s progress and target assistanceElise AwwadDeVry University
Get started with virtual reality for learning and teachingFree, accessible resources are readily available for educators who want to add virtual reality to their teaching tools. Start small, be realistic and persist, says Siân ShawSiân Shaw Anglia Ruskin University
Should we be worried? An educators’ introduction to the metaverse What is it and what might it mean for the future of education? Paul BaileyJisc
How to write an academic CV: dos and don'tsWhat key information to include on your academic CV and how to present it, alongside some common mistakes to avoid, by Eleanor HennigeEleanor HennigeThe University of Edinburgh
Eliminating harmful digital technologies in universities: a guideModern institutions are rife with tech that disenfranchises, dehumanises, excludes and even bullies students and teachers. It’s high time for a rethink, says Andy FarnellAndy FarnellVisiting professor
Decolonising the curriculum through collaboration, partnership and disseminationTips on how to decolonise curricula through collaboration, partnership and dissemination, from four university educatorsMultiple authorsUniversity of Reading
In the rush to meet labour market needs, universities can’t forget the human element Understanding that students are people first, with lived experiences that influence their choice of college and career, will help position graduates for successSteven JohnsonNational University
Boost learning with online student discussion forums How to scaffold class online discussion forums to ensure participation from all students and maximise the benefits to learningAdrian Man-Ho LamThe University of Hong Kong
Open research is a tough nut to crack. Here’s how we can get startedInvestment, training and incentives are required if the sector is going to rise to the challenge of truly embracing open researchMarcus Munafò, Neil JacobsThe University of Bristol, UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN)
Three blended learning challenges and how to overcome themTips to improve student retention, engagement and participation drawn from teaching blended and online introductory computer programming courses, which cannot rely on in-person labsErick Purwanto, Thomas Selig, Na LiXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
What AI-generated lesson plans might mean for educatorsEducators can use the issues, challenges and opportunities brought by artificial intelligence to think about teaching in terms of design and process rather than outcomes Nick Kelly, Kelli McGrawQueensland University of Technology
Why is digital transformation such a challenge for HE?Size and legacy approaches are among the barriers universities face when it comes to using technology to improve teaching, learning and research. This six-point plan details what needs to happenHeidi Fraser-KraussJisc
How to change research cultures to support the well-being of PhD students From providing mental health champions to simply having honest conversations about expectations and pressure, there’s much that can be done to help studentsImelda Bates Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)
Community-engaged learning: a pedagogic approach to civic outreachSonia Kumar shares a guide to developing community-engaged learning projects that benefit the student participants and the communities where they workSonia KumarUniversity of Leeds
My experience of speaking in front of a select committeeNicola Searle shares lessons for academics on speaking in front of a parliamentary select committee, to provide insight on topics linked to your researchNicola SearleGoldsmiths, University of London, Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)
Leadership styles in higher education that work in the ‘new normal’ University leaders require a broad set of skills – from using data to creating long-term strategy – as well as the ability to adapt to changing timesGou Rui, Liu Chao Macau University of Science and Technology
How community projects can promote students’ critical thinking skillsEmbedding project-based learning and participatory research in degree courses can provide students with the critical-thinking skills that employers requireTom DobsonYork St John University
Comfort without coddling: how to make students comfortable in the classroomHow do educators foster a safe environment for students while encouraging their independence? Brooke Wilson discusses why this is importantBrooke WilsonColorado State University Global
Offering students a green gap year has multiple rewardsJames Derounian makes the case for a gap year in which school-leavers can engage with university while tackling climate change and helping with community developmentJames DerounianUniversity of Bolton
Breaking language barriers: supporting non-native English-speaking studentsSteps 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 communityJiajun Liu, Qian Wang , Shuai WangXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Will online education lead to the death of conversation?Students who can critique ideas and generate sound, reasoned arguments in real time will be better prepared to find success after they graduate, says Rebekah WanicRebekah WanicNova Southeastern University
ChatGPT and the rise of AI writers: how should higher education respond?The proliferation of AI text generators such as ChatGPT has major implications for higher education. Nancy Gleason explores how educators should respond to these tools which can write essays in secondsNancy GleasonNew York University Abu Dhabi
Hacking their hack: how embracing online summaries revolutionised my classesWith students struggling to focus on and comprehend assignments, summaries can take some of the leg work out of learning and allow students to come to class ready to connectCatherine RossUniversity of Texas at Tyler
Students are disengaged – and it’s due to how higher ed is structuredAcademic structures, such as disciplines, too often silo and limit possibilities for engagement and connection, says JT TorresJ. T. TorresQuinnipiac University
The 10 steps towards inclusivity in universitiesFar more needs to be done to improve equity, diversity and inclusion within universities, writes Tetyana Krupiy as she lists 10 steps that can create more inclusive, supportive workplaces for all staffTetyana (Tanya) KrupiyNewcastle University
Five key elements that drive student online engagement A framework that links social, cognitive, emotional, collaborative and behavioural motivators can help educators promote student engagementJay Cohen, Alice Brown, Petrea RedmondLa Trobe University, The University of Southern Queensland
Should we be aiming for student happiness or student satisfaction?Happiness and satisfaction are two sides of the same coin, but crucial differences exist between them – and one serves our students far better, says Doug Specht Doug SpechtUniversity of Westminster
Peer mentoring to support staff well-being: lessons from a pilotA peer mentoring scheme designed to support staff well-being is being piloted at Staffordshire University. Fiona Cust and Jessica Runacres share lessons on how the initiative has been developed Fiona Cust, Jessica RunacresUniversity of Staffordshire
Tips for designing activities that tackle cheating in digital environmentsBárbara Regina Granados Guzmán provides suggestions on how to help students who struggle with recognising the use of external ideasBárbara Regina Granados Guzmán Tecnológico de Monterrey
I know first-hand that adult learners need a variety of supports to succeedFrom flexible class schedules to a friendly smile, colleges that focus on individual needs are best positioned to help learners thrive at school and in lifeShannon UrestiCollege of Health Care Professions
The power of gender-sensitive mentoringMentoring is a powerful tool to enhance job satisfaction and work-life balance. This guide aims to help mentors adopt a gender-sensitive approach to support women and people who identify as women in teaching-focused rolesMarion CoderchDurham University
Confusion diffusion: nine ways to prepare students to work with uncertainty Jenny Moffett explores classroom techniques to help students meet the demands of an increasingly complex and rapidly changing societyJenny MoffettRCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Why there isn’t one ‘right way’ to practise ungradingExtricating ourselves from A-F grading scales requires an inclusive, big tent approach in which we de-emphasise grades in a way that best fits our individual contextsMultiple authorsVarious
Action to improve diversity and inclusion for Black students and staffWhere should action to improve equity, diversity and inclusion within universities be focused in order to have a tangible impact? Christina Dzineku and Patrice Sewou explainChristina Dzineku, Patrice SeuwouLeeds Trinity University, University of Northampton
Decolonising learning through access to primary sourcesMathematicians have always looked at old problems in new ways. A database of original sources will give university-level mathematics students a global, historical view of their subjectJune Barrow-Green , Brigitte StenhouseThe Open University
An introduction to microlearning Dulce Julissa Salas Benavides and Jesús Alejandro Salas Benavides explain the basics of microlearning, from how it works to benefits and key featuresDulce Julissa Salas Benavides , Jesús Alejandro Salas Benavides Tecnológico de Monterrey
When am I going to be found out? Tackling academic impostor syndromeDo you find yourself thinking ‘everyone knows more than I do’ or ‘I shouldn’t have got this promotion’? If so, Jo Clift has tips for challenging your impostor syndromeJo CliftJo Clift Consulting
When to use online laboratories for STEM teaching and whyA guide to help STEM educators understand which aspects of practical laboratory learning can most effectively be delivered online and the benefits of this approachHelen LockettThe Open University
The importance of being a people-first leader – and tips on how to do itThere are many small ways you can show appreciation for your employees and make them feel valued on a daily basis, says Sabrina CasasSabrina CasasColorado State University Global
Learned words: using poetry to reflect on practices in higher educationPoetry writing can aid reflection on your teaching and learning or research practices, offering a fresh way of organising thoughts, as Sam Illingworth explainsSam IllingworthEdinburgh Napier University
Good teachers need to be good learnersPatrick Bailey draws on four decades of university experience to identify the three things he thinks have the biggest impact on successful teaching and learningPatrick BaileyLondon South Bank University
Leading through mentorship: a guide to the ups and downsAnna Chur-Hansen reflects on her experiences as a mentee and mentor, how this skill can be developed and how it contributes to the building of a meaningful careerAnna Chur-HansenAdelaide University
Writing and presenting reports for government: five dos and five don’tsA guide for academics on the dos and don’ts of writing and presenting research reports designed to inform policymakersNaresh PanditThe University of East Anglia, Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)
Knowledge and approaches needed for trauma-informed teachingWhat steps can be taken to minimise trauma in the classroom? Marc Mason explains how it works and presents itselfMarc MasonUniversity of Westminster
Mini virtual writing retreats to support and connect tuteesA guide to organising mini virtual writing retreats each week to build a supportive scholarly community within a personal tutoring groupAspasia Eleni Paltoglou Manchester Metropolitan University
