Feature article

Image representing communication between different members of a team

Asynchronous communication strategies for successful learning design partnerships

Asynchronous communication that builds rapport among university course designers and external edtech providers, explained by Rae Mancilla and Nadine Hamman in the first part of a series looking at strategies for successful learning design partnerships

Rae Mancilla , Nadine Hamman

University of Pittsburgh, University of Cape Town

Balancing student data collection and privacy protection

Increased scrutiny of universities as keepers of valuable data means institutions need to be well versed in data protection responsibilities. Andy Phippen offers key aspects to consider

Andy Phippen

Bournemouth University

Think differently. University students bring different things to the table so academics should use differentiated instruction to reach them all

Students are different, so why are you still teaching them all the same way?

We know that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t really work. Adriana Plata-Marroquin and Leticia Castaño offer tips on implementing differentiated instruction

Adriana Plata-Marroquin , Leticia Castaño Sánchez

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Working back to front, by writing feedback before students have submitted, can help when teaching large cohorts

Why you should write feedback to your students before they’ve submitted

Starting at the end seems counterintuitive, but anticipating student strengths and weaknesses and automating your responses comes into its own for large cohorts

Andy Grayson

An image representing a faculty member calling for IT support on a technical problem

Developing a faculty-IT partnership for seamless teaching support

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

Xin Bi

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Edtech needs to be chosen and designed by actual educators

It’s time for teachers to assert their professional opinions on learning delivery

Isn’t it odd that teachers are often just passive users of whatever tech product is selected for them rather than designers of and collaborators in edtech adoption?

Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Image representing a cyber security attack to illustrate advice on how to mitigate such risks

How to prepare and protect your institution against a future cybersecurity attack

It’s not a matter of if your institution will be hit by a cyberattack but when. Adrian Ellison shares some key actions for universities to better prepare for the inevitable

Adrian Ellison

University of West London

Woman perched on a pile of old books representing the traditional view of history teaching

Teaching history in the 2020s: how can Subject Benchmark Statements help?

The QAA’s Subject Benchmark Statements can help guide the teaching of specific disciplines. Elaine Fulton explains how to use the recently updated statements to enhance history teaching in a decade fraught with challenges

Elaine Fulton

University of Birmingham

University staff and leadership should not forget that the academic and the vocational are deeply intertwined

Don’t forget that the ‘academic’ and the ‘vocational’ are deeply intertwined

It’s not enough to focus solely on academic mission, but neither is it enough to think of universities as little more than training schools, says Sir Chris Husbands

Chris Husbands

Sheffield Hallam University

Lecturer recording a lesson for an ActiveFlex course taught online and in person

The mechanics of teaching a multi-section “activeflex” course

Lessons on the mechanics of bringing faculty together to teach a multiple-section class using the activeflex learning model, by Morgan Stanford

Morgan Stanford

Athens State University

A lecturer marking dozens of assignments

A step-by-step guide to designing marking rubrics that will save hours of time

Designing marking rubrics that provide guidance but with enough flexibility for students to demonstrate knowledge and skills in multiple ways is a difficult balancing act. Paul Moss explains how it can be done

Paul Moss

Adelaide University

A teenager with street smarts, but university graduates will need to combine practical and academic skills to boost employability

Do our students need to be book smart or street smart? They need to be both

Employers want talent to jump right in and fulfil new tasks without a lot of coaching. Project-based learning will help prepare students for this new way of thinking and working

Lee Ann Walker

Colorado State University Global

A group of school children learning about recycling

Tips for creating open access digital courses focused on tackling the climate crisis

Tips on how to develop, design and deliver open access digital education resources to help educate wider audiences about the climate crisis, by Erika Warnatzsch

Erika Warnatzsch

The University of Edinburgh

An image depicting hybrid or hyflex learning as a blend of online and in-person teaching

Hyflex learning: what, why and how

Hyflex programmes can extend higher education to a much wider pool of students, through flexible, accessible learning. Johnny Lee explains how institutions can roll out hyflex learning so staff and students feel the benefits

Johnny Lee

Ravensbourne University London

Medical students discuss issues of decolonisation relating to medicine

Decolonising medicine, part two: empowering students

The decolonisation of medicine involves making students active agents of their learning and designing assessments relevant to the skills gained through the process, as Musarrat Maisha Reza explains in her second advice resource on the topic

Musarrat Maisha Reza

The University of Exeter

Papparazzi. Bringing in an expert guest to your university classes can help with student attention

Tips on bringing expert professionals to class to support learning

Capturing students’ attention can be a challenge for teachers. We propose bringing the real world to the classroom through expert guests, say Gabriela Espínola Carballo and Mariana Elizondo

Gabriela Espínola Carballo, Mariana Elizondo

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Researchers magnifiying their work to represent advice on increasing the impact of your work

Amplifying research: five features of successful impact generation

As UK universities await the results of REF2021 and a new cycle of impact generation starts, how can academics go about amplifying the impact of their research? Charlotte Humma and Tessa Russell share tips

Charlotte Humma, Tessa Russell

University of Sussex

illustration of woman with wrench watching a practical demonstration on a screen

Using vicarious experiences online to engage and motivate students

Vicarious experiences can be harnessed in remote and blended learning to foster both the ‘skill and the will’ of students. Roma Forbes outlines how to do it

Roma Forbes

The University of Queensland

Supporting cybersecurity literacy for workforce-ready graduates

Employers need a cybersecurity-literate workforce, and higher education could play a valuable role in filling the gap

Steven Furnell

University of Nottingham

An excerpt of Romeo and Juliet, a literary work which could be used to teach students career-based skills

Five practical ways the literature classroom can help student careers

Olivia Burgess offers five tips for using literature classes to explore workplace preparation and engage career-minded students

Olivia Burgess

Colorado State University Global

Medical students learning about decolonisation in the context of healthcare

Decolonising medicine, part one: taking the first steps

Decolonisation should not be limited to arts and social sciences, but many struggle with how to apply it across STEM disciplines. In her first resource, Musarrat Maisha Reza shares advice on effective approaches to decolonising medicine

Musarrat Maisha Reza

The University of Exeter

5 ways to become an innovator in higher education

Breaking down norms can seem as disruptive as it is necessary to success – but strategies such as active listening and embodying change can help smooth the path

Nicole Brown

UCL

Creating interactive online learning that keeps students engaged

Boosting student engagement in an online learning environment

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

Yuyang Zhao

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Challenge-based learning: design and delivery in undergraduate courses

Courses that incorporate real problems from real companies offer students a rare chance to acquire knowledge while also developing useful professional skills

Nelly Ramirez Vásquez , Maria del Rosario Rosas Escalona

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Image of people learning in different modalities - online, in-person and hybrid learning

The evolution of activeflex learning: why and how

The evolution of activeflex learning as a way to keep students engaged online, and how to overcome problems when using this teaching model, by Mark Gale

Mark Gale

Athens State University

Looking to the future of the workforce and universities

The sector must come together when talk turns to promoting economic success

What could be more important than preparing our students for jobs in the local economy and supporting graduates to become the entrepreneurs of the future? asks Sir David Bell

David Bell

University of Sunderland

A student learning online during a hyflex class session

Classroom management strategies to enhance hyflex learning

Effective classroom management strategies that keep students engaged during hyflex courses, by Letitia Bergantz

Letitia Bergantz

Athens State University

Advice on guiding students in developing their sense of identity through transitions from education into work

Learner, student, graduate: a toolkit for student identity formation and critical reflection

A toolkit to guide students in developing and critically reflecting upon their own identities and journeys as they progress through higher education and into professional life

Rebecca Westrup, Sophie Reading

The University of East Anglia

Advice on where technical assistance is most needed for ActiveFlex courses

Three priority areas for technical assistance in hyflex and activeflex teaching

Effective technical support is a key component in ensuring instructors and students enjoy a positive learning experience in an activeflex format. Grayson Simmons explains where this support should be focused

Grayson Simmons

Athens State University

Social media can make you sad, so here's how to battle the LinkedIn

Does seeing others’ success on LinkedIn make you unhappy?

LinkedIn can help you find a job and promote yourself, but it may also leave you questioning your own career trajectory – here’s how to combat the social media blues

Laura Lavertu, Sebastian Oliver

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on institutional action to advance racial equity among students and staff

Moving beyond statements of commitment to taking action on race equality

Tips for universities to examine their practices to ensure racial equity is embedded across institutional structures, by Shames Maskeen and Malcolm Todd

Shames Maskeen, Malcolm Todd

Leeds Trinity University

How open knowledge strengthens democracies

No longer just guardians of knowledge, public universities are critical to the health of young democracies. To support civil society and democracy, flagship institutions must embrace their role as coordinators of open knowledge exchange

Justin Axel-Berg

University of São Paulo

LinkedIn is becoming academia’s key tool for career progression

For students and academics alike, it’s harder to ignore LinkedIn’s combination of networking and self-promotional opportunities

Gillian McCurdy

Arden University

A resource offering simple approaches to tackling cheating in exams

A (very) simple solution to cheating

If lecturers cannot eradicate cheating in exams, they should find ways to harness it to encourage deeper study while educating students about the risks of misconduct, explains Roy Ying

Roy Ying

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong

Smartphone and social media addiction is a real danger - and academics would be complicit if we don't start questioning its use more readily

Why I choose not to teach with social media

If social media is eventually revealed as a grave threat to public health, the academy’s unquestioning adoption of it could make scholars complicit

Zachary Michael Jack

North Central College

Designing effective reinforcement activities for university teaching in person and online

How to design effective reinforcement activities for activeflex courses

How to effectively design reinforcement activities for the activeflex course to maximise student engagement, by Joy Oettel

Joy Oettel

Athens State University

Building blocks of elements of education

Deep and meaningful learning: taking learning to the next level

Explicitly linking prior knowledge and experience is key in engaging students in deep learning and transitions them away from passivity in learning

Alexandra Osika, Stephanie MacMahon, Jason M. Lodge, Annemaree Carroll

The University of Queensland

University students wearing covid masks as they walk around campus

Engaging public health faculty to make healthier campus decisions

As universities move from a crisis response to ongoing management of Covid-19, this guide outlines why and how to engage public health faculty in campus decision-making

David Johnson, Sarah Walsh

University of Louisville, Eastern Michigan University

Opening the Twitter app on a mobile phone

The 10 commandments of academic Twitter

Lucas Lixinski offers tips on how to engage positively with the social media platform, from ‘honour thy hashtags’ to ‘thou shalt live-tweet at events’

Lucas Lixinski

UNSW Sydney

Using social media data and analytics is key for academics hoping to expand their network

How to use social media analytics to effectively expand your network

Digging deeper into social media, through stats and data, is the key to understanding audience and carving out your niche, says Michael Skiba

Michael Skiba

Colorado State University Global

A robot holding tools to illustrate a resource offering advice for universities on using 'bots'

Lessons for universities from using ‘bots’ in the NHS

Advice on how higher education institutions could apply Robotic Process Automation to improve efficiencies, based on lessons from its use in the NHS

Carol Glover

KFM, a subsidiary of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Make mathematics fun and easy to learn for university students

A warm, welcoming class environment and lessons that apply to real-life contexts can make mathematics fun and engaging, as Pattama Sornkao explains

Pattama Sornkhao

Siam University

A female politician gives a speech - academics must tailor their communications with politicians in order to have their research affect policy

Want your research to have an impact on policy? Know your audience

Politicians are novices by design, so tailoring your communications with them gives you the best chance of cutting through, says David R. Garcia

David R. Garcia

Arizona State University

Tips for engaging online learners using group activities to increase their sense of belonging

Engaging online learners using group activities

Online learning can leave students feeling lonely and disengaged. Tracy DeCicco explains how incorporating group activities into coursework can get them re-engaged with the materials – and each other

Tracey DeCicco

Athens State University

Learning challenge and difficulty: calm seas do not make skilful sailors

Five strategies for university teachers to encourage students to use challenge, struggle and safe failure for effective long-term learning

Alexandra Osika, Stephanie MacMahon, Jason M. Lodge, Annemaree Carroll

The University of Queensland

Advice on developing graphical frameworks to explain your research

How to develop a graphical framework to chart your research

Graphic representations or frameworks can be powerful tools to explain research processes and outcomes. David Waller explains how researchers can develop effective visual models to chart their work

David Waller

University of Technology Sydney

A pros and cons list might be useful for academics deciding whether to adopt new edtech

Failing fast: what universities need to consider when adopting edtech

An edtech company might offer an outstanding technology that fits with the ethos and strategic direction of an institution, but that is just the start, says John Miles

John Miles

Inkpath

What can universities do to protect Russian and Ukrainian academics fighting for truth?

Academics’ struggle is a stirring reminder that the freedom of scholars and students to speak, teach and publish is neither inviolable nor dispensable, says Ron Daniels

Ron Daniels

Johns Hopkins University

Advice for how universities can train students in democratic values and practices

How universities can embed democratic principles and practices into the student experience

Higher education is a critical pillar of a functional democracy and there are things that colleges and universities can do today to actively foster democratic practices, as Meg Little Reilly explains

Meg Little Reilly

University of Vermont

Learning to learn and higher-order thinking: it’s not just what to learn but how to learn

Through deconstructing the thought processes that occur during learning, students understand how they learn and therefore learn more effectively

Alexandra Osika, Stephanie MacMahon, Jason M. Lodge, Annemaree Carroll

The University of Queensland

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