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.

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)

Campus talks: 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

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

The University of Manchester

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

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

How to develop and nurture social presence in 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

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

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

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

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

The University of Manchester

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

The 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. Here are activities, based on co-creation and empathy, that encourage this

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

Adelaide University

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

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

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China

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

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

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

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

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

Adelaide University

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

The comfort and joy of flipping the classroom

‘Tis the season to embrace the magic of a flipped classroom. Multidisciplinary educators offer their perspectives

Megan Barker, Diana Bedoya, Sarah Johnson, Danielle Murdoch, Leanne Ramer

Simon Fraser University

Promoting learning with TikTok: 10 tips for engaging students

Leverage TikTok for learning at the university level by using pop culture, investing time in production and encouraging discussions, writes Chris Clarke

Chris Clarke

Washington State University

A group of students laugh together while sitting on the floor of a library

Students’ life stories can bridge the gap between theory and practice

Drawing from lived experience can help build students’ self-efficacy and develop learning skills. Ankit Agarwal explains how

Ankit Agarwal

Adelaide University

How to use VR and AR to enrich learning in occupational therapy and physiotherapy

Among the myriad 21st-century technological innovations that have revolutionised teaching and learning, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) present the greatest opportunities to truly transform students’ learning experiences

Muhammad Hidayat Sahid

The University of Indonesia

Tips on making professional-looking, engaging videos for online courses

Making videos for online classes doesn’t have to be costly. Here are ways to make them look professional on a budget

Geoff Fortescue

The University of Edinburgh

A guide dog waits with its owner on a pavement

How to create an inclusive learning environment for visually impaired students

Educators can make all the difference to their visually impaired students’ university experience. Kate Armond explains how

Kate Armond

Senior lecturer

A child in an oversized suit jacket and yellow tie displays a wad of cash

The ‘above average’ illusion: tackling overconfidence in the classroom

Overconfidence among business graduates can result in costly personal and professional mistakes. Ekaterina Ipatova proposes a new approach

Ekaterina Ipatova

University of Roehampton

How to use YouTube videos in a flipped classroom system

With students’ attention spans decreasing, it’s important to find engaging ways to help with pre-class preparation, writes Aravind Reghunathan

Aravind Reghunathan

Loughborough University

Students sitting together against a wall

Designing 24/7 hubs for students

What does it mean to create student-centric support? Here, Kieron Broadhead outlines the process and challenges in re-imagining a 24-hour student administration system

Kieron Broadhead

University of Southampton

Students sitting outside Siberrad Student Centre

How pre-arrival courses can support students’ transition into higher education

Dave Briggs explains how a pre-arrival course at the University of Essex is driving engagement and retention and giving students greater confidence

David Briggs

University of Essex

A student uses a chat bot while she studies

Three ways AI can support student success and well-being

A virtual assistant helped free up human resources at the University of Galway and revealed student issues that staff could not have predicted

Josephine Walsh

University of Galway

How knowledge exchange engages and retains disadvantaged students

Offering disadvantaged students the opportunity to take part in consultancy projects where they can make an impact on complex social issues can boost engagement, says Neale Daniel

Neale Daniel

Anglia Ruskin University

How to co-create learning resources with students

If you want to increase the impact and engagement levels of your learning resources, involve students in every step of the development process, argues Lauren Aspery

Lauren Aspery

Newcastle University

A hand adds the final building block to a small tower

How to help students get the best out of blended learning

What are students looking for in their hybrid classrooms? Bavani Divo, Miriam Wun and Eric Chua discuss their recent findings from student focus groups on the subject

Bavani Divo, Eric Chua, Miriam Wun

Singapore Institute of Technology

A woman sits in front of a laptop with a Zoom meeting taking place onscreen

Want to advance students’ self-learning? Look at your course design

Building self-learning into your blended learning courses will help students grow in confidence. Tan Chin Pei outlines the structures and support needed

Tan Chin Pei

Singapore Institute of Technology

Three strategies for building healthy student relationships online

Icebreakers and peer-to-peer support are just some of the ways to cultivate a friendly online learning environment where connections between students can flourish

Becca Edwards

The University of Colorado Boulder

Resilience and empowerment: reframing the narrative for first-gen students

First-generation students bring resilience and determination to their college journey. Based on her own experience, Lisa M. Lee explains how universities can support students from a place of strength rather than deficit

Lisa M. Lee

Virginia Tech

Class full of students with an instructor at the front

Seven ways to tailor your teaching for different class sizes

Useful ways to provide effective learning experiences for all your students, no matter the class size

Gabriela Espínola Carballo , Mariana Estefanía Elizondo

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Animating education: a teaching tool that brings learning to life

Through animation, educators can transform complicated or abstract subjects into accessible narratives, facilitating students’ comprehension and enhancing the learning experience, writes Nigel Bairstow

Nigel Bairstow

University of Technology Sydney

A female engineer overseeing a production line

Using simulation games to teach lean manufacturing

Simulation games can improve students’ understanding of lean manufacturing. Here are five tips for incorporating them into your teaching practice

Svetoslav G. Georgiev

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

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