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
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
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)
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 outreachA guide to developing community-engaged learning projects that benefit the student participants and the communities they work within, by Sonia KumarSonia 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Lesson plans – a blueprint for successThink of your lesson as a story and your lesson plan as its script. And remember that a good plan considers the people involved in the lesson, not just the activitiesJohn WeldonVictoria University
Promoting academic integrity in a massive online master’s programmeUnderstanding why students cheat is key to preventing it. Not only that, but three key tips turn supporting integrity into an opportunity to foster culture rather than dish out punishmentDavid JoynerGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Five steps for engaging policymakers with researchFive pointers to help researchers get policymakers interested in their work, based on a guide co-created by government and academics from the University of LeedsBen WalmsleyUniversity of Leeds, Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)
How to be an empathetic leader during times of changeNo one style is the panacea for all leadership challenges but, as Rachel Gibson explains, empathy is a crucial ingredient for leadership successRachel GibsonAdelaide University
Being a public scientist is not an easy choiceWhen scholars know their data well and can see their findings being ignored, they should be comfortable enough to speak out. Here, Paul McGreevy offers advice to those contemplating putting their heads above the parapetPaul McGreevyUniversity of New England
Five ways to motivate and inspire a high-performing teamSenior leaders should hold themselves and their teams accountable for performance-driven metrics, foster psychologically safe workplaces and reward values-based behavioursSandy JonesColorado State University Global
Universities must acknowledge the value of students in recoveryUniversity throws up many temptations, but if we offer the right support for addiction we are often rewarded with strong, tenacious students and staffSimon LeeUniversity of Sunderland
Pay it forward: how to help students secure financial aidHow college administrators can help prospective and enrolled students secure financial aid to see them through higher education, by Aimee Huffstetler Aimee Huffstetler Gwynedd Mercy University
A global effort to decolonise a reading list Academics and students from five countries worked together to decolonise a reading list for a public health module, through a global lens. Here, they describe how they did itZheng Feei Ma, Kim Duffy, Juming ShenUniversity of the West of England Bristol, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Authentic leadership: the four pillars of keeping it ‘REAL’Corinna van den Heuvel explains how developing a strong personal leadership philosophy is key to authenticity as a leaderCorinna van den Heuvel Adelaide University
Modern higher education leaders must blend business and educational knowledgeClearly articulated values, structures that support accountability and metrics that align with strategic goals are the new leadership competencies, says Angela HernquistAngela Hernquist Colorado State University Global
Does the UK need an observatory for university engagement with policymakers?Any such project would need to guard against numerous pitfalls, but the benefits in terms of bringing together various initiatives and engendering new skills could be greatJonathan Breckon , Sarah Chaytor , Kayleigh Renberg-Fawcett Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE), Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN), UCL
