Student engagement

Teaching academics and university staff address what student engagement means to them and offer advice on capturing students’ attention in an age of digital distraction and keeping them motivated to learn. Find insights on teaching strategies that give students agency over their learning, boost class attendance and participation and help to build a campus community.

Blogging is an overlooked means of engaging students and reaping myriad other benefits

Back to the future: how blogs can revolutionise your classroom

From assisting reflective learning to increasing engagement, do not overlook the humble blog amid the rush for the shiniest new online thing, says Dennis Relojo-Howell

Dennis Relojo-Howell

The University of Edinburgh

Lessons in how gamification can help drive students' online learning

Lessons from gamification to enhance students’ capacity for learning

Oran Devilly and May Lim share lessons from using gaming techniques to help students develop the learning traits needed to benefit from online teaching

Oran Devilly, May Lim

Singapore Institute of Technology

Made in China. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated China's position as the world leader in edtech.

Covid-19 has reinforced China’s role as global leader in ed-tech

The country’s giant companies benefit from an ecosystem that supports online learning and a cultural propensity to prioritise education, says Tom C. Varghese

Tom C. Varghese

University of Oxford

The government and HE sector must think digital-first when offering employability skills and training.

Digital-first thinking is needed to address youth employability

Younger people are geared towards digital channels, so they’re more likely to engage with innovative, online training as part of their studies, says Harminder Matharu

Harminder Matharu

FutureLearn

Universities have been taking all the wrong cues when trying to measure engagement.

Forget everything you think you know about online engagement

There’s much interest in how many times students access the virtual learning environment or complete online tasks, but that only provides part of the picture, says Linda Kaye

Linda Kaye

Edge Hill University

Three tips for building community in the classroom

Building community in the classroom whatever your teaching modality

Nancy Gleason offers three tips for building community among students whatever your teaching modality

Nancy Gleason

New York University Abu Dhabi

Doing science at home. Harvey Mudd College in California devised many innovative methods to teach lab work online

Rethinking remote labs to deliver during Covid and beyond

Our faculty has devised truly innovative methods to replace the in-person lab experience, says Maria Klawe

Maria Klawe

Harvey Mudd College

Getting creative in the classroom is crucial in helping stave off online adversity.

A bit of creativity can go a long way when teaching online

It’s crucial to shake things up to stop online delivery from homogenising even the most disparate teaching styles, says Constanza Pacher

Constanza Pacher

MacEwan University

Rules to put in place to keep students engaged in the virtual learning environment

Enabling behavioural change for participants in an online setting

Narayan Pant describes how he adapted his leadership course to online and uncovered opportunities for intimate group learning, deep reflection and flexibility that can serve learners long after the pandemic

Narayan Pant

INSEAD

A student takes part in a virtual internship

Impostor syndrome can strike even in virtual internships

It’s worrying that students who do internships online underestimate their contributions when employers rate them as valuable, say Chloe Severn and Katie Stote

Chloe Severn, Katie Stote

University of Plymouth

Promoting community and inclusivity to dispersed and diverse students through your online teaching

Promoting community and inclusiveness to diverse and dispersed students

Three psychology lecturers share insight into how to create inclusive learning communities and courses that work for dispersed and diverse students

Chiara Horlin, Emily Nordmann, Heather Cleland-Woods

University of Glasgow

The campus of the future will need to take into account the likely use of hyflex pedagogy

The campus is dead, long live the campus

Potential post-Covid changes to campus design will slide along a spectrum from optimising space to rethinking academic structures, says Jay Deshmukh

Jay Deshmukh

IBI Group

Asian student learning about virtual exchange. There is a need to be clear on the outcomes of virtual exchange as it becomes more common.

Virtual international exchange needs a sharpening of practice

For committed international educators, there is a need to clarify the purpose of virtual exchange before the trend takes hold, says Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Advice on teaching languages online both via synchronous and asynchronous teaching models

Virtual language learning through synchronous and asynchronous teaching

Theresa Perales and Kelly Metz-Matthews outline how synchronous and asynchronous online teaching tools can be used to engage students in new ways that enhance their language proficiencies

Theresa Perales, Kelly Metz-Matthews

San Diego State University

An explanation of how student coaching circles can help improve course learning outcomes

Using coaching circles to beat isolation and spur reflexive work

Glen Cousquer explains how coaching circles run by students with their peers can help beat feelings of isolation and guide students to overcome personal or course-related challenges

Glen Cousquer

The University of Edinburgh

Rural America suffers from a lack of high-speed internet access, which in turn hinders social mobility

Biden’s next big deal must include expanded broadband access

The pandemic helped expose an insidious digital divide that imperils efforts to reduce inequality and promote social mobility, says Jem Spectar

Jem Spectar

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

Co-creation is still possible even though most teaching and learning is taking place online.

Co-creation does not need to stop because we’ve moved online

Co-creation is far more about mindset than suitability for a particular setting, and the evidence demonstrating its benefits is growing, says Catherine Bovill

Catherine Bovill

The University of Edinburgh

Virtual learning, book and laptop merged

Virtual learning environments mustn’t lead to module silos

We must ensure modules complement one another by establishing consistency in their form and functioning, says Maurice Kinsella

Maurice Kinsella, Niamh Nestor, John Wyatt

University College Dublin

Steps to help foreign language students engage with online class discussions

Supporting foreign-language students in online class discussions

Online discussions pose a challenge for foreign-language students studying remotely overseas, so instructors should take steps to support their understanding and engagement, says Liyun Wendy Choo

Liyun Wendy Choo

The University of Auckland

Managing conflicting perspectives of international students when teaching online

Negotiating the minefield of global online teaching: dealing with difference  

Farish A. Noor offers advice on managing the conflicting viewpoints of students living and studying in different countries and cultural contexts when teaching international groups online

Farish A. Noor  

Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia

A scantron sheet. Do we dehumanise students when we put them into spreadsheet rows?

Grades are dehumanising, but ‘ungrading’ is no simple solution

There is nothing ideologically neutral about grades, and nothing ideologically neutral about the idea we can neatly and tidily do away with them, says Jesse Stommel

Jesse Stommel

University of Mary Washington

Using messaging apps to support better communication between students and instructors

Alleviating student anxiety using messaging apps

Jonathan Sim explains how he supported his class remotely using the Telegram messaging app to keep a regular flow of communication and reassure students they were not alone in having queries

Jonathan Sim

National University of Singapore

Advice on incorporating humour into your online teaching to keep students engaged

Get serious about humour in your online classroom

Humour can grab and hold students’ attention. Abha Ahuja and Trang Nguyen outline ways to introduce more laughter into online classes

Abha Ahuja , Trang Nguyen

Minerva Schools at KGI

Lessons on motivating students to learn on mandatory courses

Lessons in motivating students to learn online

Teaching interdisciplinary modules online can be an uphill battle but it offers important lessons in the art of motivating students to learn, as Jonathan Sim explains

Jonathan Sim

National University of Singapore

Wellbeing pedagogies to boost the student experience online

Well-being pedagogies: activities and practices to improve the student experience online

With many concerned about the mental health effects of learning remotely, Elena Riva shares helpful practices that can boost student well-being in the online teaching and learning environment

Elena Riva

The University of Warwick

Tools to engage students in online courses

Live chat, weekly digests and newsletters: online tools to boost engagement

Robert Green talks through the digital tools he uses to keep students engaged in their online course during what are, for many, challenging times

Robert Green

University of Kent

Developing students academic writing skills

Improving academic writing skills to boost student confidence and resilience

Academic writing skills are fundamental to most university courses. Andrew Struan explains how Glasgow has taken a whole-university approach to ensure all students are well equipped to succeed

Andrew Struan

University of Glasgow

Tips on using technology to identify and help struggling students before they fall behind in online courses

Use technology to catch students before they fall

Working remotely with no face-to-face contact is a challenge for many students. May Lim and Li Siong Lim explain how educators can use technology to identify and help struggling students before they fall behind

May Lim, Li Siong Lim

Singapore Institute of Technology

Tips to help students stay focused in online classes

Seven steps to help students stay engaged online

While the same psychological processes are at work online as in the classroom, it is much easier for students to disengage when learning remotely. Here are seven well-researched steps to help students stay focused on their online courses

Leonard Houx, André Spicer

Cass Business School, City University of London

Sage on the screen? Lessons in using technology to enhance learning

It’s time for the sage to step down from the stage, according to Steve Davies. Here, he shares simple steps to ensure technology enhances learning outcomes

Steve Davies

University of South Wales, Learna

Use digital technologies to enhance student support services

Evolution not revolution: strengthening student services online

Digital technologies are more than a short-term emergency tool; they provide an opportunity to enhance student support services long after a return to campus, explain Steven Goss and Amy Greenstein

Steven Goss, Amy Greenstein

Manhattan College, Metropolitan College of New York

Gather student feedback throughout your online course to test and refine teaching methods

Experiment, test, refine: work with students to shape online courses

If you want to improve teaching, speak to the learners, explains Pat Tissington, who advocates using student feedback to continually experiment and adjust your online instruction methods throughout the course

Pat Tissington

The University of Warwick

Lessons from students in online learning

I spy what’s in the prof’s study: lessons from students in online learning

Student feedback is crucial to improving remote teaching. Here, Roger Austin shares key lessons for effective online course delivery based on a survey of his students

Roger Austin

Ulster University

Basic principles for keeping digital communications clear and concise to avoid information overload for students

Efficient communication that avoids overloading students or staff

Constant upheaval has left many university staff and students feeling overwhelmed. Wendy Zajack talks through basic principles for keeping digital communications clear and concise to avoid information overload

Wendy Zajack

Georgetown University

How to create human connection when teaching online

Instructors teaching online must take steps to connect with their students via digital channels and compensate for the loss of natural face-to-face cues and communication. Flower Darby explains how

Flower Darby

Northern Arizona University

Research shows forum based online learning helps keep students more engaged

Forum-based online teaching to improve student engagement and motivation

A key challenge with online learning is maintaining student engagement and motivation. A forum-based teaching system, in which all students could see and compare their work within a shared online space, helped mitigate this challenge, researchers found

Xiaowei Kang, Wen Zhang

Capital Normal University, New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark

Students learning online must be encouraged not to fear getting things wrong

Give students confidence to 'be wrong, loudly’ in online classes

For students to learn effectively online, they must be willing to get things wrong and be corrected. But speaking up in an online class can be intimidating so instructors must take active steps to promote fearless class participation, explains Riley Lovejoy

Riley Lovejoy

University of Alabama

Ask your students for feedback right from the start of your online course

Why and how to gather ongoing student feedback right from the start

By gathering student feedback throughout your course, you can make ongoing micro-adjustments to resources and teaching methods to improve online teaching and learning, Leonardo Rolla explains

Leonardo Rolla

The University of Warwick

Using instant messaging to deliver feedback to students learning remotely

Instant messaging for improving instructor feedback in distance learning

One of the biggest challenges to online learning is lack of immediate instructor feedback, Justin Fendos’ research revealed. So his team trialled instant messaging to enable prompt responses

Justin Fendos

Dongseo University

The art and science of online discussion forums

The art and science of online discussion forums

Online discussion forums are an effective way to ensure remote students engage critically with their subjects but require careful thought and planning by instructors, as Karen Srba explains

Karen Srba

Saint Francis University

How to incentivise students to complete their reading when teaching online

Pausing playback: training students to read and take notes in online classes

Reading and note-taking are vital to learning, but are too easily overlooked by remote students. Steven Mintz explains how you can boost students’ motivation to read and take notes during online classes

Steven Mintz

University of Texas at Austin

Engaging students in readings and microlectures

Engaging students in readings and microlectures

Three online teaching experts share advice for motivating students to read and engage with microlectures online, then answer questions on key challenges during this ACUE webinar

Ludwika Goodson, Catherine Haras, Flower Darby

LG Education Consulting , Cal State LA, Northern Arizona University

How to plan and facilitate student discussions via online classes

Planning and facilitating quality discussions

Three online teaching experts share advice on how to foster quality discussions among students online to aid learning during this ACUE webinar

Flower Darby, Viji Sathy, Ludwika Goodson

Northern Arizona University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , LG Education Consulting

Managing your online presence when teaching remotely

Managing your online presence

Three remote teaching experts share advice on building an authentic and engaging instructor presence online to support effective communication with students during this ACUE webinar

Flower Darby, Kevin Gannon, April Mondy

Northern Arizona University, Grand View University, Delta State University

Guidance on creating a welcoming online learning environment for students

Welcoming students to your online environment

Three online teaching experts share advice on creating a welcoming virtual learning environment for students then answer questions about transitioning to remote courses during this ACUE webinar  

Flower Darby, Kevin Gannon, Michael Wesch

Northern Arizona University, Grand View University, Kansas State University, ACUE

Make online teaching content relevant and fun for Gen Z students

Making online content relevant and fun for Gen Z students

Relating your online teaching content to real-world interests and issues affecting your students is a great way to win and keep their attention. Tina Joshi explains how she does this

Tina Joshi

University of Plymouth

Fostering a sense of belonging among remote students to aid learning

Developing students’ confidence and sense of belonging online

With most students new to online learning, many may lack the confidence to actively participate in group classes. Georgina Blakeley offers her tips on fostering a sense of belonging that aids interaction among students

Georgina Blakeley

University of Huddersfield

Make virtual learning fun: using ‘break in’ rooms in online teaching

Creating fun, game-like activities as part of your online classes can aid learning, student engagement and collaboration. Shonagh Douglas explains how she has used ‘break-in rooms’ as an effective induction for remote students

Shonagh Douglas

Robert Gordon University

Promoting student collaboration in online classes

Soft skills: how to promote student collaboration in online environments

Online collaboration is not an innate skill for most students but something that instructors must cultivate. Hugh McFaul explains how he did this through careful design of the content and assessment on his course

Hugh McFaul

The Open University

Activating internal student motivation through curiosity when teaching online

Curiosity: activating internal student motivation when teaching online

Appealing to students’ curiosity boosts their motivation to learn. Jose Vazquez explains how educators can use this in their online teaching strategies

Jose Vazquez

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

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