Student engagement

Academics and university staff address what student engagement means to them and offer advice on boosting attendance, class participation and building a campus community

Student writing in a diary

Fostering critical thinking with reflective journals

Timely, frequent and constructive feedback has a powerful influence on student achievement. However, its impact on higher education students is hotly debated and often highly variable

Lesley Gardner, Udayangi Muthupoltotage

University of Auckland

students playing a board game

Creating an impactful social group for neurodivergent students

Meet-ups can support neurodivergent students (mostly those with autism and ADHD) to navigate the social complexities of student life and the workplace. Here, Brooke Szücs and Ben Roden-Cohen share tips for creating inclusive neurodivergent settings, based on their experience

Brooke Szücs, Ben Roden-Cohen

The University of Queensland

A theatre stage

Anxious about public speaking? Try these tips from the theatre

Hone your performance skills with these techniques from stage actors. Linsey Todd and James Layton encourage us to smell the greasepaint

Linsey Todd, James Layton

University of the West of Scotland

Man appearing as a hologram

Using telepresence to enrich learning

Implementing cutting-edge technology enriches the learning experiences and prepares students for an increasingly interconnected and diverse world

Sidney Ornelas

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Two people gesture in front of a board covered in post-its

The dos and don’ts of getting started with service learning

Service learning can have many benefits for students, teachers and the wider community, but starting out can be intimidating. Grace Ngai offers one don’t and three dos to begin your journey

Grace Ngai

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

multiracial university students sitting outside

Curriculum reform to boost under-represented students’ success in higher education

Large-scale transition from traditional curricula to a block model can have a positive impact on student achievement. Here, Thomas Roche, Erica Wilson and Liz Goode describe five steps to implement whole-institution reform, based on a study of a regional public university in Australia

Thomas Roche, Erica Wilson, Liz Goode

Southern Cross University

Two people sit and discuss a CV

Four ways to weave job skills teaching into the university experience

With research finding a hefty proportion of graduates underemployed, what can higher education do to improve career readiness? Erica Estes and Sean O’Keefe offer advice

Erica Estes, Sean O'Keefe

University of Arkansas

A group of Gen Z students gaze at their phones

We need to empathise with the students of today to shape the minds of tomorrow

Are today’s students too disrespectful and aggressive to be taught? Azlan B. Ahmad offers his advice on dealing with Gen Z

Azlan B. Ahmad

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Students working in a team on a project

Encouraging effective teamwork in the classroom

Setting group assessments is an excellent way of reducing marking, providing more meaningful, considered feedback for students and restoring work-life balance, writes Becky Lewis

Becky Lewis

University of East Anglia

An illustration of several people talking via online channels

Let’s talk: how to connect with your students in a blended learning environment

Teaching is about connection, and blended learning offers educators the chance to create a dialogue with students. Kyrin Liong and Victor Wang show how

Kyrin Liong, Victor Wang

Singapore Institute of Technology

College professor talking to students

Humans develop humans

Even small interactions with lecturers, tutors and peers offer opportunities for students to develop interpersonal skills, so it’s important we recognise and value these to ensure they are not lost, writes Marianne Savory

Marianne Savory

Leeds University Business School

Students standing outside a campus building

A tailored onboarding programme can help set neurodivergent students up for success

The recent introduction of an early entry programme at the University of Newcastle created an unexpected but welcome opportunity to respond to a growing population of neurodivergent students commencing their studies

Scott Laing

The University of Newcastle, Australia

"To Be or Not to Be" on a pastel-coloured website interface

Swift or Shakespeare? How to reframe internet ephemera as a text in the literature classroom

Teaching Taylor Swift as literature required Clio Doyle and her students to engage with online media as an analytical text. Here, she offers advice on interpreting TikTok, Tumblr and the Buzzfeed quiz

Clio Doyle

Queen Mary University of London

University student in wheelchair in study group

Disability, discrimination and redress: how to guide your students through the process of asking for reasonable adjustments

Students with disabilities are often dependent on the attitude and understanding of their lecturers and support staff. Here is advice on supporting requests for reasonable adjustments in the university environment

Kate Armond

Senior lecturer

Student with a megaphone on a march

Eight ways to teach students about the importance of democracy

Imparting the significance of democracy involves empowering students to acquire relevant knowledge and actively involve themselves in the democratic process

Avinash Dadhich, Anuja S.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Diverse students in lecture hall

Diversity in the classroom as an advantage for learning

Cultural diversity can have practical benefits in the university classroom if we reflect on it from a culture-sensitive perspective, writes Attila Dobos. It can enhance the quality of discussions and lead to a deeper understanding between teacher and students

Attila Dobos

Semmelweis University

Four Black students pose on campus

The importance of Black spaces in white academia

An epistemological approach is needed to build more inclusive environments, argues Blanca Elizabeth Vega in this excerpt from Black Scholarship in a White Academy

Blanca Elizabeth Vega, Robert T Palmer, Sosanya Jones, Alonzo M Flowers

Montclair State University

A runner starts a race, pushing out from blocks

Sprinting into blocks: what computing, AI and gaming academics learned

Introducing block delivery using Sprint methodology to design academic programmes saw computing, AI and gaming academics rise to the challenge. De Montfort University staff reflect on their experiences

Zoë Allman, Simon Coupland, Archie Khuman, Conor Fahy, Luke Attwood

De Montfort University

A group of people put together a giant jigsaw

Entice students back to the classroom with community quizzes

In this post-pandemic landscape, how can we encourage students to turn up to in-person classes and teach them how to learn together? Mark Lechner believes community quizzes are the key

Mark Lechner

Simon Fraser University

College teacher writing class agenda on blackboard

Changing instructor behaviour to improve learning for university students with ADHD

From making the class agenda clear and visible to building trust with learners, Sarah Sehlinger shares five simple tips that will improve the experience of your college course for students with ADD and ADHD

Sarah Sehlinger

Indiana University Southeast

A student in glasses works at a desk

Master the art of effective feedback

Providing constructive feedback gives students a launch pad for development. Ibham Veza and Imran Qureshi offer their advice

Ibham Veza, Imran Qureshi

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

podcast graphic

THE podcast bonus episode: an interview with Kathryn Sikkink, Ryan Family professor of human rights policy at Harvard Kennedy School

Human rights scholar and award-winning author Kathryn Sikkink talks about her work with the Harvard Votes Challenge, how young people are more savvy about misinformation than older generations and why, in this year of elections, democracy needs protection

Kathryn Sikkink

Harvard University

A woman walks along a path in a grassy meadow

How to clear the path for the next generation of women in academia

The women who come next shouldn’t have to break down barriers or sneak in the back door to succeed in higher education. Sal Jarvis outlines what she wants her legacy to be

Sal Jarvis

University of Westminster

Student on a laptop listening with headphones at home

Use watch parties to enhance learning and build a sense of belonging online

An educator at the University of Manchester explains how using online watch parties with live chatboxes has enhanced students’ learning in a digital environment

Jennifer Mcbride

University of Manchester

A group of students having a civil political debate

Pluralistic campuses will foster the bridge-builders our divided nations need

Students with the skills to treat diverse viewpoints with curiosity and respect will be prepared to navigate the complexities of the real world, say Eboo Patel and Rebecca Russo

Eboo Patel, Rebecca Russo

Interfaith America

Students learn about vegetable growing in a community greenhouse

How service learning can help students create a positive change in the community

Service learning can help students develop a civic mindset, universities achieve their third mission and communities flourish as a result. Intan Azura Mokhtar shows how

Intan Azura Mokhtar

Singapore Institute of Technology

University students doing group work

How to develop and nurture a learning community

Fostering a rich learning community in your module or programme can be difficult. Here, Hannah Shaw and Mike Hackman draw on staff and student feedback to provide quick, effective wins to develop the social presence in your learning communities

Hannah Shaw, Mike Hackman

Cardiff University

Students doing group work

Nudge your way up the NSS ladder

Small module changes based on behavioural insights into human flaws can help students collaborate more and procrastinate less – and boost engagement outcomes in your classes, writes Jana Sadeh

Jana Sadeh

University of Southampton

Film set

Film storytelling can enhance learning in STEM subjects

In the era of social technologies, authentic storytelling becomes a powerful tool for cultural and social change, a fundamental role of higher education, writes Arijit Mukhopadhyay

Arijit Mukhopadhyay

University of Salford

The left hand side of a woman's face with her hand held up against her ear

How to create effective listening environments for neurodiverse, international and deaf students

It’s important to consider the influence of your learning environment on listening effort, cognitive load and cognitive fatigue. Here are some tips

Lindsey Jones

University of Manchester

A group of students using smartphones with brightly coloured shells

Make ‘switch your phone on’ a requirement of your lessons

Students are more likely to carry smartphones than pens when they walk into your class, so make use of their potential. Fernando Rosell-Aguilar outlines how to involve your students’ favourite device in active learning experiences

Fernando Rosell-Aguilar

Arden University

Students playing table tennis

How our Study Together programme promotes belonging and improves well-being

By offering students a space to meet, study and socialise outside the classroom, universities can improve engagement and reduce feelings of loneliness on campus

Gemma Standen

University of East Anglia

A group of students working on a project together

Use design thinking and storytelling to help international students find their voices

Exchanging stories allows students to express themselves and relate to others. It also boosts confidence and engagement

Bo Kelestyn, Nikita Asnani, Minali Sanghani, Weiwei Su, Janet Zheng

The University of Warwick

Class of students using Etherpad to discuss learning points

Use Etherpad to improve engagement in large transnational classes

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

Ying Feng

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Button badges with the Scottish saltire pile up

Every student in Scotland can vote: here’s why that should matter to educators

Teach your students that voting is an investment in the future – and help them build a lifelong habit. Murray Leith offers advice

Murray Leith

University of the West of Scotland

Scientists using case-based learning to treat a patient

How to enhance pharmaceutical education through case-based learning

Case-based learning helps students apply their knowledge and improve patient outcomes. Here is how to integrate it into pharmaceutical education

Narumol Phosrithong

Siam University

Two yellow cups joined by a string on a blue background

Finger on the pulse: establish a culture of communication for better feedback

Why wait until the end of the course to hear from your students? Sasha Lanyon encourages a real-time, authentic approach to student evaluation

Sasha Lanyon

The University of Adelaide

A teacher gestures to a computer while three students listen

Transition from expert to guide by embracing generative AI

In the process of learning how to use generative AI, Kyrin Liong rekindled her inner student

Kyrin Liong

Singapore Institute of Technology

Pottery wheel

Fostering student co-creation to give back to the community

Engaging in local civic projects offers students meaningful learning opportunities, fosters co-creation and supports the community at large. Here, Martha Sullivan outlines the benefits based on working with the Empty Bowls project

Martha Sullivan

Virginia Tech

Students in a lecture hall use futuristic learning technology

Cherry-pick the best of in-person and online learning

Using the best of in-person and online learning provides a truly blended approach to your students and enriches their learning experience. Ibham Veza and Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo weigh up the pros and cons

Ibham Veza, Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Lecturer standing before a class full of pupils giving a lecture

Use a social approach to boost language learning

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

Yanfang Si

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A multigenerational group of people link arms and gaze into the sunset

To build a community in higher education, start from the ground up

Gareth Morris and Fiseha Berhanu Tesema outline grass-roots initiatives to help make your campus a socially cohesive place to work and study

Gareth Morris, Fiseha Berhanu Tesema

University of Nottingham Ningbo China

Cat in a box

Don’t just chat(GPT): turn on critical interrogation

Critical thinking is often seen as the antidote to generative AI. But what if educators took it one step further back and aimed to encourage students’ curiosity? Giuseppe Cimadoro explains

Giuseppe Cimadoro

St Mary’s University Twickenham

College students in the library

How to keep first-generation students engaged throughout the academic year

Engagement opportunities don’t end with orientation or even the first year of study. Here, Araceli Martinez and Athina Cuevas explain how to build a programme that helps students develop confidence and leadership skills and support the next cohort

Araceli Martinez , Athina Cuevas

Chapman University

A road extends into the distance through a desert landscape

It’s about the journey: navigate the real-world landscape from within the classroom

Embark on a pedagogical road trip, exploring strategies to combine academia with industry dynamics. John Sinclair fastens his seatbelt and starts the engine

John Sinclair

Colorado State University Global

An illustration of a robot hand reaching towards a butterfly

In the age of AI, teach your students how to be human

Look to the arts to help develop your students’ skills for navigating the real world. Lucy Gill-Simmen proposes her vision of a more well-rounded education

Lucy Gill-Simmen

Royal Holloway, University of London

A professor laughs with a student over a laptop

What my students have taught me about being a teacher

Approach teaching as a collaboration between you and your students. Veselin Jungic looks back on what he’s learned

Veselin Jungic

Simon Fraser University

Students working together at a laptop

We used a hybrid escape room to dramatically boost student attendance

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

Erick Purwanto, Na Li, Ting Ting Tay

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Female university students in class

Using communication before content to develop cognitive presence

Cognitive presence goes beyond physical presence and enables students to feel comfortable in the learning environment, writes Alison Thirlwall. It puts the educator in students’ minds as a supporter and guide

Alison Thirlwall

University of Wollongong

A shadowy hand casts a vote in a ballot box

How to engage students using public advocacy

Use real-world events to help students join the dots in their learning. Cornelia Koch outlines how

Cornelia Koch

The University of Adelaide