The dos and don’ts for setting up an international campus Tobias Kliem offers insight on what to prioritise and what to avoid when setting up a branch campus overseas Tobias Kliem Arden University
Top tips for developing an effective virtual exchange programme Justine Seran and Randall Reinhard offer guidance on building a virtual exchange programme to provide flexible international learning opportunities for students who cannot travel abroadJustine Seran, Randall ReinhardThe University of Edinburgh
University leaders need to demonstrate an adaptive mindsetWith huge change ahead, leaders must be brave and accept that the right decisions may not always deliver the best spreadsheet results, say Alasdair Blair and Sarah JonesAlasdair Blair, Sarah JonesDe Montfort University
What is the purpose of a university lecture?We must continue to question the true role of the lecture and how lecture recordings fit in to the effective delivery of higher education, says Jill MacKayJill MacKayThe University of Edinburgh
Mental health support for international students: five key stepsFrank Haber explains what support mechanisms universities must put in place to protect international students’ mental health Frank HaberOldenburg University, Constructor University
Targeted advice and guidance is crucial for widening participation Especially post-Covid, pupils need a strong foundation that prepares them for future post-18 decisionsBilly Huband-ThompsonCentre for Education and Youth
Ready, player one? How video games can help engage studentsEngaging, rewarding and a great way to encourage active participation, games are a brilliant addition to a teaching and learning environment, says Chris HeadleandChris HeadleandUniversity of Lincoln
Relationship building among globally diverse students in a borderless universityMonika Foster offers insights into why and how to encourage relationship-building between global learners by celebrating diversity and encouraging collaboration in teaching, learning and assessmentMonika FosterUniversity of Sunderland
Teaching with Lego: using plastic bricks to encourage play and interaction in classDan Swanton explains how using Lego to demonstrate and apply lessons in class promotes play and interaction leading to better engagement and peer discussion as part of active learning designDan SwantonThe University of Edinburgh
Advice for early career researchers on handling workplace inequality, prejudice and exclusionSarah Jasim and Shaakir Salam offer early career researchers advice on how to navigate issues of inequality, prejudice and exclusion in the workplace and handle misconduct without risking their own positionsSarah Jasim, Shaakir SalamThe London School of Economics and Political Science, King’s College London
Developing research skills post-pandemic: creating space for reflection and conversation Three research advisers share advice on how institutions should support researchers to develop their professional skills and confidence post-pandemic Jennifer Boyle, Rachel Herries, Joanna RoyleUniversity of Glasgow
How to assess if online tools will enhance learning experiencesElizabeth Ellis offers five tips for assessing and selecting digital education tools that will improve rather than distract from your teaching Elizabeth EllisArden University
Teaching the skills wanted by employers in 2021 and beyondDilshad Sheikh makes a case for universities to work more closely with employers to shape industry-relevant courses and expose students to more real-world practical training and assessment Dilshad SheikhArden University
We must dismantle the invisible career barriers in HEDespite surface appearances, universities’ recruitment and selection practices still present hidden obstacles to under-represented groupsRebecca JarrettCranfield University
Generating immersive, large-scale teaching experiences in video games Richard Fitzpatrick and Thomas Little offer insights for designing and developing immersive learning experiences using video games, based on their experience using Minecraft in their teaching Richard Fitzpatrick, Thomas LittleThe University of Edinburgh
Why are primary sources important in teaching?Seth Cayley explains why primary sources are important learning tools to help students gain a better understanding of current events and hone critical-thinking skills Seth CayleyGale Primary Sources
Self-directed learning is becoming the forgotten ingredient in HEIn the heady rush to extol the virtues of asynchronous learning, we are watering down the main element of students’ learning experience, says Linda KayeLinda KayeEdge Hill University
Using tech to train students in creative problem-solving Alison Watson explains how institutions can guide students in developing creative solutions to real-world problems, better preparing them for the demands of the future workplace Alison WatsonArden University
The arts and humanities have not been forgotten: finding funding post-pandemic Edward Harcourt on why the arts and humanities are vital to tackling societal challenges and what funding streams are available to research within these disciplines Edward HarcourtArts and Humanities Research Council
Make yourself presentable Richard Gratwick sketches a course designed to develop students’ presentation skills, whether in person or online, using principles that are universal Richard GratwickThe University of Edinburgh
How to embed creativity more fully into university curricula Five key strategies to enhance student creativity through university curricula that encourage exploration and enquiry Gareth LoudonRoyal College of Art
Blended learning is so bland − we need to punk things upJust like musicians on tour, we must focus more on delivery and start holding ourselves to the same standards as any broadcaster or media company, says Jonathan WilsonJonathan WilsonRegent’s University London
Students as educators: the value of assessed blogs to showcase learningAssessed blogs can help translate the thrill of interactive learning into tangible outcomes that enrich and showcase students’ knowledge. Here’s how to do itMatt DaviesUniversity of Chester
We must help our students make this a ‘summer of self-love’It would be wise to keep an eye on our students over the coming months, as the period after lockdown typically brings intense emotional responses, says Bertus JeronimusBertus JeronimusUniversity of Groningen
Want to be a better teacher? My daughter showed me we need to play moreTesting silly ideas and pushing boundaries are crucial − and liberating − but universities must provide digital spaces where we can do so freely, says Andy FarnellAndy FarnellVisiting professor
Choppy digital waters lie ahead for many storied institutionsTraditional universities are too often led by the interests of lecturers rather than the employment needs of students or recruitment needs of businesses, says Dilshad SheikhDilshad SheikhArden University
Developing an educational app to engage students in the world around themNiki Vermeulen and Kate Bowell describe a creative approach to place-based learning involving an app that offers educational walking tours linking students’ studies to the world around themKate Bowell, Niki VermeulenThe University of Edinburgh
Three video techniques for increasing student engagementJoe Arton shares three evidence-based techniques for creating teaching and learning videos that will improve student engagement and learning outcomesJoe ArtonThe University of Edinburgh
Creative ways to boost student learning through community-based projects Jamie Darwen explains how community projects offer creative and practical ways to enhance student learning and shares advice on building successful partnerships outside the university Jamie DarwenUniversity of the West of England Bristol
Embedding peer support among students in large online lectures David Quinn explains how strategies that work in person to facilitate active participation and peer support among students can be adapted to large online lecturesDavid QuinnThe University of Edinburgh
Blended learning should be embraced for the benefit of allBy using online capabilities, higher education could be transformed from a privilege into a basic human right for anyone who wants it, says Sir Tim O’SheaTim O'SheaKortext
Pronouncing students’ names correctly: the whys and howsXin Xu, Natasha Robinson and Niall Winters explain why correctly articulating students’ names is so important to an inclusive learning environment, and provide practical tips for pronouncing Chinese namesXin Xu, Natasha Robinson, Niall WintersUniversity of Oxford
Scaling up student support servicesSuzanne Mitchell advises on how to scale up student support services, using technology that provides multiple communications channels and early warning systems to assist specialist staff teamsSuzanne MitchellArden University
Striving for imperfection: introducing randomness into virtual experiments Rachel Martins explains how she introduced random error into her lab simulations when teaching online physics, to better replicate real-world experiments for her students Rachel MartinsLeeds International Study Centre
We shouldn’t confuse online engagement with logging inWhen assessing the all-important ‘engagement’ metric, the sector often defaults to the crude measurement of attendance − which is clearly flawed, says Chris HeadleandChris HeadleandUniversity of Lincoln
Enabling staff-student co-creation of experiential learning at scale Simon Riley and Gavin McCabe share a reflective learning and assessment framework for staff and students to co-create experiential learning that is scalable and effective Simon Riley, Gavin McCabeThe University of Edinburgh
Teaching at scale: reaching all your students in large classes Heather McQueen explains how lecturers can fulfil their responsibility to facilitate learning for all students, particularly in large classes where individual student contact is minimal Heather McQueenThe University of Edinburgh
How to develop inclusive reading lists for distance and blended learning Jude Wilson offers advice on how academics can work with their university library teams to ensure course reading lists are accessible and inclusive for all students Jude Wilson Arden University
Playing the field: how virtual field trips can benefit student learning now and in futureTheresa Mercer and colleagues explain how to develop virtual field trips that support in-person learning, boost accessibility and help future-proof teaching against unforeseen challengesTheresa Mercer University of Lincoln
Monitoring student engagement via online teaching toolsMaurice Kinsella and colleagues offer practical advice on using the virtual learning environment (VLE) tools to monitor student engagement and focus support efforts where they are needed Maurice Kinsella, Niamh Nestor, John WyattUniversity College Dublin
Is it possible to think big thoughts virtually?When discussing complex problems online, without the ability to read the room, the focus often shifts to what can be achieved rather than taking risks, says Donna MurrayDonna MurrayThe University of Edinburgh
Government needs to step up in the student retention battleThe higher education sector needs the resources to get better at spotting students at risk of falling behind or dropping out altogether, says John CouperthwaiteJohn CouperthwaiteEcho360
It’s time for the media to work with universities, not against usThe next school year is going to be challenging enough as it is without the skewed and absolutist coverage we’ve seen in the media lately, says Harriet Dunbar-MorrisHarriet Dunbar-MorrisThe University of Portsmouth
Collaborating with employers to create work-ready graduatesPaula Reilly explains how universities can work with employers and students to shape curricula and courses that better prepare graduates for the future workplacePaula ReillyArden University
Five shifts to consider for building a better learning environment Kyriaki Papageorgiou outlines shifts in higher education that should help academics in designing more effective teaching and in recognising what areas need in-person instruction and what can be done online Kyriaki PapageorgiouEsade
How universities can ensure they have a positive impact on local communitiesJane Robinson offers advice on developing effective ‘civic engagement’ strategies to ensure universities have a positive long-term impact on local communitiesJane RobinsonNewcastle University
Don’t be fooled – community outreach can be even better onlineCovid and the move online made audiences even larger for our student-led social media workshops aimed at local businesses, say Dennis Olsen and Kristin BreweDennis Olsen, Kristin BreweUniversity of West London
How to embed public engagement into your teaching and research activities Carenza Lewis shares a step-by-step guide for embedding public engagement into your institution’s research and teaching Carenza LewisUniversity of Lincoln
Making large-scale civic engagement projects a reality Matthew Andrews offers advice on how universities should approach ambitious large-scale civic engagement projects to bring plans to fruition Matthew AndrewsUniversity of Gloucestershire
Three steps to successful rapid-response civic engagement with students Kathleen Riach outlines key lessons from successfully leading a rapid-response civic engagement project with students to help over 50s gain better digital accessKathleen RiachUniversity of Glasgow
