Course design

Advice on bringing real world practical training into the online classroom through case studies

Keeping it real: bringing practical dimensions into online teaching

Pamela Henderson sets out how to bring real world training into the online classroom by developing effective simulated case studies, based on her experience teaching law

Pamela Henderson

Nottingham Trent University

Advice on supporting academics staff in taking their first steps towards decolonising curricula

How to support academic staff starting the journey of decolonising the curriculum

How do you support the endeavours of academic staff and build student voice into an institution-wide effort to decolonise the curriculum? Mhairi Taylor and Nighet Riaz share lessons from the University of Glasgow’s action plan

Mhairi Taylor, Nighet Riaz

University of Glasgow

Universal design for learning involves creating courses that all university students can use effectively

Universal design for learning: an introduction and getting started

Universal design for learning offers ways to plan teaching and learning to accommodate diverse students and help learners develop the self-efficacy they need to be successful, says Dara Cassidy

Dara Cassidy

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Advice on designing worthwhile multiple choice questions for higher education assessment

Creating worthwhile multiple choice questions for higher education assessment

Multiple choice questions are often frowned on as an assessment tool in higher education. But when well constructed, they offer a clear and transparent way of evaluating student progress, as Anthony Evans explains

Anthony J Evans

ESCP Business School

Chatbots can be vital tools for university careers services, with one-to-one discussions set to become a thing of the past

How AI and chatbots can deliver personalised career planning

The development of careers chatbots could be considered a threat to guidance practitioners, but the reverse is true, says Caroline Tolond

Caroline Tolond

Arden University

Advice on developing students' identities as learners rather than consumers of their higher education

Building student identities as learners, not consumers, for better academic outcomes

Students who think and act like consumers have worse academic outcomes, research shows. Louise Taylor Bunce shares practical steps to help build students’ identities as learners rather than as consumers of education

Louise Taylor Bunce

Oxford Brookes University

Using immersive tech, such as augmented reality, can revolutionise assessment in universities

Using technology to revolutionise the way you evaluate

Even amid the great shift online, assessment methods have often remained mired in the traditional system, says Monica Francesca Contrino

Monica Francesca Contrino

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Practical and authentic assessment is crucial for students hoping to show employers what they're capable of

How to make sure assessment practices are as authentic as possible

We all want employers to be confident that students have the skills to do the job. And these skills still require assessment, it’s just done a little differently, says Paula Reilly

Paula Reilly

Arden University

Man with a laptop computer over his head and a Help! sign

What to do when technology fails: an educator’s survival guide for online classrooms

Jack Wang offers seven solutions to common tech problems during online teaching – from slow internet connection to lack of resources

Jack Wang

The University of Queensland

University lecturers should use reverse grading to turn the grading process on its head

Turn the marking process on its head by using ‘reverse grading’

Davita Günbay explains how reversing the narrative between ‘what I got’ and ‘what I was given’ can help learners engage and take responsibility for their learning

Davita Günbay

Near East University

Advice on using peer assessment to encourage deeper student learning

Recommendations for incorporating and guiding peer assessment in the classroom or online

Claudia Hernández and Karla Banda offer practical advice on how to incorporate and direct productive peer assessment among students

Claudia Janeth Hernández Cardona, Karla Margarita Banda Martínez

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Advice on guiding reflective practices among students as part of their university curricula to aid their professional and personal development

Students as reflective practitioners: a personal development journey

Professional development is often taken for granted and seldom well embedded into university curricula. Alexandra Mihai looks at how intentional learning design can help make it an integral part of students’ learning experience

Alexandra Mihai

Maastricht University

Teaching students to self-assess their written work as a crucial academic skill

Vivid language: teaching online students to assess writing

Audra Spicer explains how online classes can provide opportunities to make student self-assessment visual, engaging, immediate and comprehensible

Audra Spicer

Colorado State University Global

Advice on practical considerations when ungrading

So, you want to take the grades out of teaching? A beginner’s guide to ungrading

Susan D Blum shares her key recommendations for anyone wishing to remove grades from their teaching, in order to focus their students’ energies upon learning

Susan D Blum

University of Notre Dame

How to set up university mentorship schemes to support students to become the socially responsible leaders of the future

Foster mentorship skills to create the socially responsible leaders of the future

Institutions should look to set up mentorship practices that help students develop the skills they will need to create successful and sustainable companies. Laura-Jane Silverman explains how

Laura-Jane Silverman

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Advice on guiding meta-reflection among students to get the most out of class discussion forums

Using meta-reflection for professional development: how to tap into the full potential of online discussion forums

Adrian Lam offers guiding questions and prompts that help students reflect on their own ways of thinking and working to aid their professional growth

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

Insight on how community based research projects can motivate students as their apply their learning to real world problems

Using community-based research projects to motivate learning among engineering students

Trithos Kamsuwan explains how community-based research projects can be used to motivate students, creating opportunities to apply principles they have learned in class to solve real-world problems

Trithos Kamsuwan

Siam University

Advice on implementing ungrading to improve student learning outcomes

Feedback rather than ranking: how to start ungrading in order to improve learning

Katharine Johanesen explains how to replace traditional grading with self-assessment and feedback throughout a course in order to improve learning outcomes

Katharine Johanesen

Juniata College

Medical training has had to adapt quickly to the shift online

How to deliver healthcare education in a hybrid world

Hannah McGee explores solutions to address the unique challenges that universities face in preparing healthcare students for frontline roles

Hannah McGee

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Virtual and augmented reality can provide powerful experiences for university students, and they are probably not as hard to create as you think

Immersive tech in teaching and learning: first steps into the metaverse

Virtual, augmented and mixed reality can provide powerful experiences for students, and it’s probably not as difficult as you think. Neil McDonnell provides simple, practical advice

Neil McDonnell

University of Glasgow

Advice on designing and delivering more authentic, equitable and transparent assessment and feedback

Equity, agency and transparency: making assessment work better for students and academics

Carol Evans explains how to design assessment and feedback practices that are authentic and deepen students’ learning and confidence in the long term

Carol Evans

Cardiff University, University of Southampton

How to apply systems thinking to sustainability related news items as a way to educate students about the SDGs

Studying sustainability by applying systems thinking to news stories

A guide to framing, modelling and acting on sustainable development issues highlighted in the news, shared by Cameron Guthrie

Cameron Guthrie

TBS Education

Advice on designing assessments that encourage students to show off their learning in authentic ways

Assessment design that supports authentic learning (and discourages cheating)

Catherine Wehlburg shares tips for creating a learning environment and assessment design that encourages authentic learning and reduces the temptation to cheat

Catherine Wehlburg

Athens State University

Advice on creating equitable pathways to better engage all students regardless of background or prior knowledge

Co-creation and empowerment: pathways to better student engagement

Effective approaches universities can take to promote equity and improve student learning outcomes and employability, shared by a team from the University of Salford

Sara Namvar, David Greensmith, Niroshini Nirmalan

University of Salford

Advice on how developing a growth mindset and experimenting can result in better teaching

Developing a growth mindset and experimenting for better teaching outcomes

Catherine Seeds explains how a growth mindset and willingness to experiment should be embraced as powerful teaching tools

Catherine Seeds

(SRUC) Scotland’s Rural College

Female students looking at phone outdoors illustrating embodied learning

Embodied learning: how to bring movement into the classroom, and why it matters

Susan Hrach offers practical advice on using physical activity and outdoor space to enhance learning

Susan Hrach

Columbus State University

Advice on developing external partnerships which create opportunities for real world learning

How to develop partnerships that offer students real-world learning experiences

Rhianedd Smith shares insight on how to collaboratively create real-world learning experiences for students with professional partners

Rhianedd Smith

University of Reading

How to revitalise student knowledge exchange with local communities

How co-creating an ‘umbrella’ programme can help institutions innovate student knowledge exchange and improve engagement with local communities and businesses, a team from Queen Mary University of London explain

Patrick McGurk, Joanne Zhang, Fezzan Ahmed, Olivia Reid

Queen Mary University of London

Advice on using campaign based assessments in higher education

Putting the case: campaigning documents as assessments on vocational degrees

Russ Woodward looks at the merits and practicalities of using campaign-based assessments on vocational higher education courses

Russell Woodward

University Centre, Grimsby: The TEC Partnership

Advice on why and how to build a sense of identity and belonging among students for better learning outcomes

Building identity and belonging among students

Proactively building students’ sense of identity and belonging is vital for positive learning outcomes, explains Blake McKimmie. In this video, he gives advice on how it can be achieved

Blake McKimmie

The University of Queensland

Advice on creating virtual fieldtrips to complement in-person teaching

Developing virtual experiential learning: key takeaways

Well-designed virtual experiential learning could have far-reaching useful applications. Here three academics share lessons from developing effective virtual tours and field trips during the pandemic

Mei Yee Leung, Yvonne Yuen Kei Leung, Jacky Tsz Kin Yiu

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Advice on creating a "Hitchikers Guide" to curriculum design

Creating a ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to Curriculum Design’

Russell Crawford explains how to create a ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to Curriculum Design’ that pools all relevant information to support everyone involved in working towards positive student learning outcomes

Russell Crawford

Falmouth University

Sustainability modules can be crucial for universities

The dos and don’ts of creating a large-scale sustainability module

Rachel Lander, Sylvia Snijders and Gustavo Espinoza Ramos discuss lessons learned from creating a sustainability module that’s taken by 600-plus students per year

Rachel Lander, Sylvia Snijders , Gustavo Espinoza Ramos

University of Westminster

Advice on fostering interdisciplinary learning in large scale doctoral programmes

Fostering interdisciplinary learning in large-scale doctoral programmes

Corina Sas highlights key insights for design and delivery of large-scale doctoral training programmes that foster supportive and cooperative interdisciplinary learning environments

Corina Sas

Lancaster University

Advice on creating short online courses that help drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

Three steps to designing online learning that supports a sustainable future

Lizzy Garner-Foy offers practical guidance on how to plan, design and develop open, accessible online learning materials that support work towards the SDGs

Lizzy Garner-Foy

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on developing advice resources in the form of short videos for students

Creating advice videos to help students and support your teaching

Nicholas Morton tackles five basic questions about creating advice videos designed to help students easily source guidance and information when they need it

Nicholas Morton

Nottingham Trent University

Advice on how to effectively bring co-creation with students into your teaching practices

Co-creating with students: practical considerations and approaches

Stacy Katz explains how to develop meaningful learning experiences by collaborating with students, rather than determining for them

Stacy Katz

Lehman College CUNY

Advice on using films to support your teaching

Using films to encourage reflection and critical thinking in your teaching

Noam Schimmel shares advice on how to leverage the pedagogical and emotive power of films to support your teaching

Noam Schimmel

University of California, Berkeley

How to ensure online teaching benefits the education of sustainability issues

Engaging students in applied research to tackle Sustainable Development Goals

Jen O’Brien describes a pedagogical project that engages students in applied research carried out in partnership with external organisations, related to the Sustainable Development Goals

Jen O'Brien

University of Manchester

Advice on getting students thinking about and preparing for their future careers

Preparing students for an uncertain future through career planning

Lessons in engaging students in future career planning and preparation as part of their university studies, shared by Stephen Warrington, Katherine Cameron and Matt Vickers

Stephen Warrington, Katherine Cameron , Matt Vickers

The University of Edinburgh

Consideration for how to build your digital capacity to enhance student learning outcomes

A framework for building capacity in digital teaching and learning

Dale Johnson presents a framework to help institutions decide where to focus their efforts in the use of digital systems and resources to enable student success

Dale Johnson

Arizona State University

Advice on using productive failure to activate deeper learning

Using productive failure to activate deeper learning

Manu Kapur explains how using a flipped-classroom approach, setting students problems that they are unable to tackle properly until they have been taught the associated concepts, deepens their learning through ‘productive failure’

Manu Kapur

ETH Zurich

Insight on a new approach to training students in applied learning from the medical school team at NUS

Collaborative learning cases: a fresh approach to applied learning

A group of medical educators introduce a new teaching model being used to improve students’ ability to apply learning in clinical or real-world settings through collaborative work on specific cases

Dujeepa Samarasekera

National University of Singapore

Figure at the top of a ladder illustrating skills for career progression, online learning

Creating opportunities to enhance student employability online

Working online presents opportunities for students to develop their employability in the digital space. Ruth Donnelly lists how remote programmes can prepare them for the changing workplace

Ruth Donnelly

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on how to get business school students engaging with wider societal issues as part of their programmes

Embedding social impact considerations into business programmes

Ridhima Aggarwal shares effective strategies for fostering a deep understanding of how business and society are interlinked and embedding social impact considerations within business school teaching

Ridhima Aggarwal

INSEAD

Advice on how LEGO can facilitate learning across many disciplines in higher education

Serious play: building knowledge with Lego bricks

Using Lego blocks to aid brainstorming has migrated from boardrooms into university classrooms. This guide explores how to get the most out of it in your teaching – whether virtual or on campus

Caitlin Kight, Holly Henderson

University of Exeter

Advice on why and how to use podcasts to supplement your online teaching

Listen to this! Using podcasts for online learning

Emily O’Reilly explains why and how to use educational podcasts to supplement your online teaching

Emily O'Reilly

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on using popular social media platforms to support your university teaching and academic research

Fake news, educated views and how-tos: social media for teaching and research

Terese Bird shares her ideas on how to use some of the most popular social media platforms to support your teaching and research

Terese Bird

University of Leicester

Webinar discussion how to reduce student drop out rates in the context of the pandemic and online learning

Place-based learning in digital universities

A discussion of how the exploration and understanding of a place can be the backbone of higher education teaching and learning, whether delivered online or in-person

Elizabeth Langran, Reneta Lansiquot , Robbie Nicol, Abbey S Willis

Marymount University, New York City College of Technology, The University of Edinburgh, Siena College

How to use design methods such as scenario building to guide students in tackling real world challenges

Designing back from the future: building scenarios to engage students with global challenges

Anke Schwittay shows how design methods such as scenario building can help students think creatively about diverse challenges and imagine responses to them

Anke Schwittay

University of Sussex

Advice on working with employers to develop courses that teach the skills needed in the workplace

Teaching the skills wanted by employers in 2021 and beyond

Dilshad 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 Sheikh

Arden University

Webinar graphic

Flexi-learning on a shoestring

Four Australian academics discuss how universities can deliver quality flexible teaching and learning on already stretched budgets

Jane Frost, Garth Maker, Michael Sankey , Amanda White

University of Canberra, Murdoch University, Charles Darwin University, University of Technology Sydney

Webinar discussion how to reduce student drop out rates in the context of the pandemic and online learning

Cultivating creativity in higher education

Academics from the UK and the US discuss the role of creativity in higher education, its many forms and how to foster it through teaching and research

Bashir Makhoul, Giovanni Moneta, Linda Watts, Yong Zhao

University for the Creative Arts, London Metropolitan University, University of Washington, Bothell, University of Kansas, University of Melbourne

Three benefits of moving final year assignments online

Virtual classroom connections: enhancing three presence elements via online tools

Nguyen Hoang Thuan and Pham Cong Hiep provide practical tips for enhancing three types of presence – teaching, social and cognitive – in online learning and teaching, based on their research

Nguyen Hoang Thuan, Pham Cong Hiep

RMIT University Vietnam

A framework for guiding students in effective peer review to boost their learning outcomes

Guiding students to learn from each other through peer feedback

Sam Evans and David Collett share a framework to guide students in effective peer review to boost learning outcomes

Sam Evans, David Collett

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on why and how teaching using your voice only can be effective to reach remote students

How to teach online with voice only

Yutthana Srisavat explains why and how he adapted his teaching to instruct using just his voice via a messenger app, as a way to keep classes accessible to remote students

Yutthana Srisavat

Siam University

Advice on using digital simulations to prepare students for workplace challenges

How to use digital simulations to prepare students for future careers

How institutions should use digital simulation technology to train students in practical, real-world skills, based on her experience in healthcare courses

Stephanie West

Arden University

Advice on developing regular quizzes that test students' understanding so they can address any gaps in their knowledge

Designing ‘knowledge checker’ quizzes that motivate students to review feedback and revise learning

Jonathan Sim advises on designing regular quizzes as a tool to ensure students review their assignment feedback and address gaps in their understanding

Jonathan Sim

National University of Singapore

Advice on using lego to support active learning in lectures

Teaching with Lego: using plastic bricks to encourage play and interaction in class

Dan 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 design

Dan Swanton

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on selection ed-tech tools that will improve the students' learning experience rather than distract from teaching

How to assess if online tools will enhance learning experiences

Elizabeth Ellis offers five tips for assessing and selecting digital education tools that will improve rather than distract from your teaching

Elizabeth Ellis

Arden University

Guidance on building space into curricula for creative exploration and discussion of topics

Making space for creativity in higher education

Paul Moss explains why and how university tutors should create opportunities for creative exploration among students within their courses

Paul Moss

The University of Adelaide

Advice on developing a pedagogy with care and compassion at its core

A pedagogy of kindness: the cornerstone for student learning and wellness

Fiona Rawle outlines a pedagogy founded on human connection, care and compassion that improves student learning outcomes

Fiona Rawle

University of Toronto Mississauga

Advice on designing university curricula that nurture creativity

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 Loudon

Royal College of Art

Advice on moving practical application based teaching to online formats

New modes of practicum – synergising online and offline teaching modes

Rohnii Tse provides insight on how teaching the practical application of a subject can be adapted to work via online or remote channels

Rohnii Tse

Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education

Advice on fostering fruitful relationships between students from all over the world

Relationship building among globally diverse students in a borderless university

Monika Foster offers insights into why and how to encourage relationship-building between global learners by celebrating diversity and encouraging collaboration in teaching, learning and assessment

Monika Foster

University of Sunderland

Advice for designing and building immersive, large-scale teaching experiences in video games

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 Little

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on using blogs to showcase and assess students' knowledge

Students as educators: the value of assessed blogs to showcase learning

Assessed blogs can help translate the thrill of interactive learning into tangible outcomes that enrich and showcase students’ knowledge. Here’s how to do it

Matt Davies

University of Chester

Advice on establishing creative collaborations between students in different disciplines to further their learning

Connecting research and humanities through creative collaborations

Creative collaborations between students in different disciplines can offer opportunities to gain “real world” experience and apply their knowledge in new contexts. Allison Schwartz explains how

Allison Schwartz

University of West Florida

Advice on explaining to students why they should keep their cameras on during online classes

Stay in the frame: how to persuade students to keep cameras on in lessons

Paul Moss shares advice on how to convince students that making themselves visible during online classes is in their own interest and will aid learning outcomes

Paul Moss

The University of Adelaide

Advice on why introducing time for reflection deepens undergraduates understanding of research methods

Creating time and space for reflection in undergraduate research methods

Adrian Lam offers insights on how keeping a weekly application diary helps enhance students’ reflections on the power and limits of research methods

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

Advice for taking a course like maths requiring detailed step by step instruction online

Taking challenging courses requiring step-by-step instruction online

Pam Benz offers tips for translating challenging courses, which necessitate students seeing problems worked out step by step, to online instruction modes

Pam Benz

University of West Florida

Creative writing activities that help students develop their critical thinking skills

Creative writing to hone critical thinking

Parag Dandgey shares creative-writing activities designed to improve students’ critical-thinking skills by developing their understanding of multiple perspectives

Parag Dandgey

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

An overview of how cognitive load can be used to determine how challenging your learning content can be before it risks alienating students

How challenging can my content be?

Paul Moss explores the concept of cognitive load as a way to determine how challenging your learning content should be to remain effective

Paul Moss

The University of Adelaide

Advice on how online review exercises can be used to improve student performance

Online review exercises to improve student performance in large courses

Online review exercises, used in combination with other learning activities, improve student engagement and learning performance in large online courses, Peng Cheng and Rui Ding explain

Peng Cheng, Rui Ding

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on working with employers and leveraging technology to train students in creative problem solving

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 Watson

Arden University

Advice on facilitating peer support among students in large online lectures

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 lectures

David Quinn

The University of Edinburgh

Three tips for making instructional videos that support better student engagement

Three video techniques for increasing student engagement

Joe Arton shares three evidence-based techniques for creating teaching and learning videos that will improve student engagement and learning outcomes

Joe Arton

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on training students in presenting

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 Gratwick

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on teaching big classes by getting students doing rather than listening

Big-class energy: how to get large groups learning by doing, not just listening

Charlie Reis shares advice on successfully teaching large cohorts by getting students actively involved in learning activities rather than passively listening

Charlie Reis

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Lessons from testing gamification strategies in online teaching

Gamification in the classroom: what have we learned?

Shuhan Li and Olivia Sun share what they learned when testing out gamification strategies and technologies to tackle challenges presented by online learning

Shuhan Li , Olivia Sun

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on getting students involved in community projects which boost their learning experience in creative and practical ways

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 Darwen

University of the West of England Bristol

Advice on developing an educational app to link students learning to the world around them

Developing an educational app to engage students in the world around them

Niki 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 them

Kate Bowell, Niki Vermeulen

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on teaching large classes to try and keep all students actively engaged in learning

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 McQueen

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on creating accessible inclusive reading lists for students

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

Advice on selecting the right ed-tech tools to support your teaching and learning

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 McCabe

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on recognising the pros and cons of online teaching and what to bring forward after covid

Pandemic teaching: storm clouds and silver linings

Glenn Geher talks through the highs and lows of teaching during a pandemic and the lessons we can learn from them

Glenn Geher

State University of New York at New Paltz

Why and how to introduce random error into virtual experiments

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 Martins

Leeds International Study Centre

Why primary sources are so important as a learning tool

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 Cayley

Gale Primary Sources

Advice on methods that help improve group dynamics by encouraging communication

Group work: improving communication, participation and dynamics

Jonathan Sim offers three methods for facilitating effective group work by improving participation and communication between student peers

Jonathan Sim

National University of Singapore

Tips on how to engage students when your class is split between those studying in-person and those learning via zoom

How to engage students when some are in the room and some are on Zoom

Flower Darby offers practical tips for keeping all students engaged when teaching a class in which some students are with you in person and others are learning remotely via a teleconferencing platform

Flower Darby

Northern Arizona University

Advice on creating virtual fieldtrips to complement in-person teaching

Playing the field: how virtual field trips can benefit student learning now and in future

Theresa Mercer and colleagues explain how to develop virtual field trips that support in-person learning, boost accessibility and help future-proof teaching against unforeseen challenges

Theresa Mercer

University of Lincoln

Advice on designing higher education to make the most out of in-person teaching alongside online instruction

The future of education in the real world: 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 Papageorgiou

Esade

Advice on what online teaching strategies developing during the pandemic should be kept long term

Never waste a good crisis: what to keep from pandemic teaching strategies

Flower Darby talks through the digital teaching skills and tools that instructors should hold on to, even after returning to campus, to enhance student learning and success

Flower Darby

Northern Arizona University

Collaborating with employers on courses to train work ready graduates

Collaborating with employers to create work-ready graduates

Paula Reilly explains how universities can work with employers and students to shape curricula and courses that better prepare graduates for the future workplace

Paula Reilly

Arden University

Webinar discussion how to reduce student drop out rates in the context of the pandemic and online learning

Campus webinar: Innovative teaching

As we emerge from the pandemic, what innovations in online teaching have come about in the last year? Four experts in digital and teaching innovation from the UK and US discuss effective ways of teaching that harness new technological tools

Sarah Dyer, Dale Johnson, Agnes Kukulska-Hulme, Ian Turner

University of Exeter, Arizona State University, The Open University, University of Derby

Advice on how to approach hybrid teaching to overcome key challenges

Three tips for a future of hybrid teaching

Brad Chan offers three tips for making hybrid learning work for all, based on his experience teaching languages

Brad Chan

Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education

Advice on creating an online course from an instructional designer

Instructional design advice: how to translate your academic knowledge into an effective online course

Instructional designer Marcello Crolla talks through the basics of how to create effective, engaging online courses

Marcello Crolla

The University of Edinburgh

Advice on using stock footage in instructional videos for teaching

Upgrade your explainer videos with stock footage

Kelvin Ke Jinde offers a step-by-step guide to creating instructional videos to support your teaching with the help of stock footage

Kelvin Ke Jinde

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on developing effective HyFlex teaching for the longterm

Solving future problems today: Making HyFlex learning work for all

Trent Montgomery shares the key considerations for developing effective hybrid flexible teaching that will boost universities’ educational offering in the long term

Trent Montgomery

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on using the VLE tools to monitor student engagement online and focus support efforts

Monitoring student engagement via online teaching tools

Maurice 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 Wyatt

University College Dublin

An example of how co-creation of curriculum content with students can work

Co-creation of curricula with students: a case study

Eric Tsui outlines a method he uses to enhance student learning through the co-creation of new scenarios for curriculum development in their discipline

Eric Tsui

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

A case study on creating a bridging system to help students prepare for STEM courses at university

High tech and high touch: designing a bridging system to help students prepare for STEM studies

Karin Avnit, Victor Wang and Prasad Iyer describe how combining technology-supported learning with targeted face-to-face instruction helps ensure all students start university with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed

Karin Avnit , Victor Wang, Prasad Iyer

Singapore Institute of Technology

Advice on using design thinking to engage students in developing real world solutions to sustainability challenges

It’s a game changer: using design thinking to find solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals

Rachel Bickerdike explains how using design thinking to find solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals can open up a new world of social entrepreneurship for students

Rachel Bickerdike

Durham University

Proactive steps educators should take to better engage students in online learning

It’s not you, it’s me: taking responsibility for student engagement and interaction

Maia Forrester and Ian Lee share lessons in boosting student engagement and interaction when teaching online, based on their experience training medical educators

Maia Forrester, Ian Lee

The University of Edinburgh

Designing teaching activities which trigger an emotional response making key lessons easier to remember

How to design unforgettable class activities that help students learn better

These teaching techniques are designed to pique students’ emotions and lodge key lessons more firmly in their memories

Jonathan Sim

National University of Singapore

Advice on using existing online resources to support your teaching

Making the most of online educational resources: a case study

Pascal Grange explains how online educational resources can be used to complement teaching and enhance students’ opportunities for learning

Pascal Grange

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on designing online postgraduate courses that intersect the academic and professional worlds

Designing postgraduate education as a means of sharing and developing academic and professional knowledge

Gill Aitken and Tim Fawns explain how to design online postgraduate courses that operate at the boundaries of the academic and professional worlds

Gill Aitken, Tim Fawns

The University of Edinburgh

Using self-determination theory to design online courses that boost student motivation

Boosting student motivation through course design

Maurice Kinsella and Niamh Nestor explain how to use self-determination theory as a guide to boost student motivation through careful online course design

Maurice Kinsella, Niamh Nestor, John Wyatt

University College Dublin

Learn how instructor featured videos can give your remote learning students a much needed sense of connection

More screen time: using instructor-featured video to create connection online

Aaron Smith explains why instructor-featured videos are such a powerful tool for keeping remote-learning students grounded and for providing a sense of human connection, based on his research

Aaron Smith

University of Waterloo

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

Advice on digital methods of formative assessment which aid deep learning

Digital methods of formative assessment that boost learning

Diana Laurillard presents strategies for effective formative assessment when teaching online

Diana Laurillard

University College London

Balancing compassion with high expectations for better learning outcomes

Expectation and compassion: two sides of the coin for successful learning outcomes

Celia Ann Evans explains how instructors can balance compassion with high expectations to guide students to better learning gains

Celia Ann Evans

Cornell University

Advice on fostering collaboration among students more used to competing

How to foster collaboration among students trained to compete

Collaboration is a vital life skill but can be challenging after an education infused with competition at every step. Jie Zhang, Qing Ye and Steven Bateman explain how they overcome this when setting group work

Jie Zhang, Qing Ye, Steven Bateman

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on using coaching to guide students to find their own solutions

The answer is not always the solution: using coaching in higher education

May Lim explains why academics should refrain from always giving students immediate answers and instead apply coaching techniques that guide learners to problem-solve and reach their own conclusions

May Lim

Singapore Institute of Technology

Advice on applying an effective design philosophy for online courses

Clarity,  consistency, cohesion and care: the four Cs as a design philosophy for online learning

Andy Wright describes how a focus on clarity, consistency, cohesion and care results in better online learning design

Andy Wright

Cambridge Education Group

Advice on preparing students so they get the most out of the flipped classroom model

How to induct students into the flipped-classroom model

Jonathan Sim explains how he has designed learning activities to ensure students complete the preparation work necessary to get the most out of the flipped-classroom model

Jonathan Sim

National University of Singapore

Guidance on designing online courses for learning and well-being

Designing online courses for better learning and well-being outcomes

Matthew Barr describes how to design and deliver online teaching to support better learning and well-being for students who might otherwise feel isolated and disconnected

Matthew Barr

University of Glasgow

Learn how applying game techniques to online learning improves engagement

Serious play: boosting engagement in online courses through games

Gaming techniques should be taken seriously as a way to keep students engaged in online courses, explains Dario De Notaris, based on his research into improving Mooc completion rates

Dario De Notaris

University of Naples Federico II

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

Providing useful feedback on online assignments and continuity in course design and delivery

Online teaching insights, part five: Online feedback and continuity

Insights and lessons on effective tools and techniques to improve online teaching, put together by faculty spanning dozens of disciplines at the American University in Cairo

Hoda Mostafa, Maha Bali

American University in Cairo

Examples of online activities and tools that encourage collaborative learning

Engaging students in collaborative learning tasks online

Diana Laurillard presents ideas and tools for students to create their own digital products as part of a collaborative learning task

Diana Laurillard

University College London

Self directed learning is effective among Chinese students coming from a different educational and cultural context, research shows

Supporting self-directed learning across cultural boundaries

Academics from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University draw on their research showing the Western teaching model based on ‘self-directed learning’ is effective among Chinese students coming from different educational and cultural contexts

Qian Wang , Chang Xiong, Jiajun Liu

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Faculty insights and advice on recording lectures and online course management

Online teaching insights, part four: Course management and recording lectures

Insights and lessons on effective tools and techniques to improve online teaching put together by faculty spanning dozens of disciplines at the American University in Cairo

Hoda Mostafa, Maha Bali

American University in Cairo

How to encourage the use of zoom cameras in online classes

To see or not to see: managing the complex issue of Zoom cameras

Many students opt to keep cameras turned off in online classes, which makes building authentic connections more difficult. Celia Ann Evans shares strategies for encouraging the use of cameras without making it a requirement

Celia Ann Evans

Cornell University

How to use a free online learning design tool which applies the Conversational Framework to build courses

Applying the Conversational Framework using an online learning design tool

Diana Laurillard talks through how to use a free online learning design tool which applies the Conversational Framework to build courses using the six key learning types

Diana Laurillard

University College London

Insights on tools and techniques to improve online teaching from dozens of faculty at the American University in Cairo

Online teaching insights, part two: participation and breakout rooms

Insights and lessons on effective tools and techniques to improve online teaching put together by faculty spanning dozens of disciplines at the American University in Cairo

Hoda Mostafa, Maha Bali

American University in Cairo

How to build resilience by taking on an explorer mindset

Developing an explorer mindset to build resilience

Portia Hickey explains how developing an ‘explorer mindset’ can help faculty and students build resilience by moving from fear to curiosity

Portia Hickey

Thrive Matters

Insights on tools and techniques to improve online teaching from dozens of faculty at the American University in Cairo

Online teaching insights, part one: social connection and listening

Insights and lessons on effective tools and techniques to improve online teaching, put together by faculty spanning dozens of disciplines at the American University in Cairo

Hoda Mostafa, Maha Bali

American University in Cairo

How to teach students the value of collaborative working through peer review processes

Supporting collaborative learning among remote students through peer review

Diana Laurillard talks through how to use peer review as a way to foster active, collaborative learning among students online

Diana Laurillard

University College London

How to use visual media to spark inquiry based learning online

How to use visual media to spur inquiry-based learning online

Nataša Lacković talks through an image-based concept inquiry cycle she has developed to use visual media as a learning tool online

Nataša Lacković

Lancaster University

How to use group participation activities which are used in stakeholder engagement projects in order to teach a better understanding of sustainability issues

We are not alone: using participatory group activities to engage students in sustainability

Natalie Kopytko and Susannah Sallu detail how participatory activities used for stakeholder engagement can help motivate students to learn about sustainability online

Natalie Kopytko, Susannah Sallu

University of Leeds

Using the SDGs as a lens through which to teach multiple topics and subjects

How to teach through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals

Terry Sunderland offers insight on how the Sustainable Development Goals can provide a useful framework to guide students’ learning across multiple disciplines

Terry Sunderland

University of British Columbia

Maintain a level of consistency throughout an online course to aid student learning

Fostering module consistency to aid learning

Maurice Kinsella and John Wyatt explain how to keep a level of consistency throughout course modules that helps students achieve the desired learning outcomes

Maurice Kinsella, John Wyatt, Niamh Nestor

University College Dublin

Using anonymous polling platforms in online teaching to boost student participation

Anonymous polling platforms to boost student confidence, engagement and inclusivity

Students are often reticent to speak up in front of large groups online, but when offered anonymous ways to share thoughts and feedback, most are keen to participate. Christina Stanley explains how to put this to good use

Christina Stanley

University of Chester

How learning technology can help build students employability skills

Using learning technologies to enhance students’ professional communication skills

Learning technology offers an opportunity to embed useful workplace skills training into university courses, as Kyle Bowen and Allison Hall explain

Kyle Bowen , Allison Hall

Arizona State University

How to ensure your online assessment is accessible and relevant for all students

Assessing your assessment: creating inclusive and meaningful assignments

Online teaching has forced a major rethink of exams, so how can academics ensure they make the new-style assessments accessible and relevant to all students? Kimberly Wilder-Davis explains

Kimberly Wilder-Davis

University of Glasgow

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

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

Advice to develop student-centred online teaching

A blueprint for an engaging and student-centred online degree  that works 

Sue Brown and Karalee Dwyer explain how to approach online education to ensure it is not just an adaptation from face-to-face delivery but purpose-built for better learning outcomes

Sue Brown , Karalee Dwyer

Federation University Australia

Lessons in improving online teaching and learning from a survey of Hong Kong students

Lessons on improving online teaching from a survey of students in Hong Kong

A survey of students in Hong Kong highlighted concerns relating to the efficacy of online teaching. Ka Ho Mok runs through key lessons for universities looking to improve their digital education

Ka Ho Mok

Lingnan University

How to set up virtual work placements for students to gain real world experience online

Developing internship opportunities for students online

Lecturer Dorothy Kwok offers three strategies institutions can take in setting up digital work placements and industry projects to ensure students get real-world experience when learning online

Larry Ching, Dorothy Kwok, Candy Law

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Advice on getting the most out of asynchronous discussions when teaching online

Asynchronous discussions – how and why

Asynchronous discussions facilitate deeper reflection and critical thinking about course content. Paul Moss explains how to ensure such online discussions benefit all students on their learning journey

Paul Moss

The University of Adelaide

Advice on developing digital capability courses that help students learn online

Lessons in developing digital capability courses for students

Gunter Saunders explains how to design courses that engage and incentivise students to gain the digital skills they need to flourish in the online learning environment and beyond

Gunter Saunders

University of Westminster

Advice on how you can use virtual reality in your online teaching to enhance the digital learning experience

Using virtual reality to enhance learning

Neil McDonnell explains how academics can use virtual reality platforms to enhance student learning experiences now and post-pandemic

Neil McDonnell

University of Glasgow

Five steps to moving practical learning online

Five simple ways to recreate the practical sides of teaching online

It can be a challenge to shift physical elements of teaching online. Eoin Coakley shares five approaches to recreating the experience of in-person learning for remote students

Eoin Coakley

Coventry University

Breaking online lectures down into chunks aids learning outcomes

Deter contract cheating in online assessment with a multi-pronged approach

The essay mills industry is booming in response to student demand. Irene Glendinning explains how universities must respond with a range of actions, not one quick fix

Irene Glendinning

Coventry University

How to guide students to assess and feedback on their own work to improve online learning

Guide learning by activating students’ inner feedback

David Nicol explains how students can be guided to make comparisons and feedback on their own work, rather than relying on instructor comments, for improved learning outcomes

David Nicol

University of Glasgow

Advice on redesigning assessment in the digital space, to test skills needed in future careers

Rethinking assessment in line with the changing world of work

Sarah Montano offers insight on redesigning assessment in the digital space to test the skills students will need in their future careers

Sarah Montano

University of Birmingham

How to design online assessment to promote academic integrity

Planning assessment to promote academic integrity online

Instructors can minimise the opportunity for academic misconduct through careful online assessment design. Sarah Eaton shares five approaches to online assessment that promote academic integrity

Sarah Eaton

University of Calgary

Identifying the building blocks that make up your knowledge

Course learning outcomes: how to create them and align them to assessment

Paul Moss explains how to structure online courses to build students’ knowledge methodically towards set learning outcomes and skills that should themselves be used to shape assessment

Paul Moss

The University of Adelaide

Teaching humanities from a distance

Teaching humanities from a distance

Jessica Lee and Tamara Mann Tweel describe how they went back to basics when designing their humanistic online course, focusing on one-to-one mentoring and transformative texts

Jessica Lee, Tamara Mann Tweel

Columbia University , The Teagle Foundation

Developing students' digital literacy skills

Developing students’ digital skills through online learning

Digital skills are key to the future employability of most graduates. Jo Coldwell-Neilson advises on how to embed digital literacy training into all aspects of online higher education

Jo Coldwell-Neilson

Deakin 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

Using digital scholarship for public engagement

Using digital scholarship to enhance public engagement

Having been pushed to the sidelines of academia for too long, public engagement projects can take a central role in digital courses, furthering students’ learning and reaching wider audiences, explains Warren Stanislaus

Warren Stanislaus

Rikkyo University

Advice on how to spark remote students' creativity through innovative online teaching assignments

How to re-energise your online classroom and inspire creativity

Sparking creativity among students learning remotely through a screen can be challenging. Here, Constanza Pacher offers advice for shaking up ideas via online media

Constanza Pacher

MacEwan University

How to support entrepreneurship among students via digital channels

Sparking entrepreneurship online

Laura-Jane Silverman describes how LSE’s entrepreneurship centre created continued opportunity for innovation, collaboration and personal development among students after moving online

Laura-Jane Silverman

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Advice on ensuring the human side of teaching is not lost in the move to online education

Leading with humanity in your online classroom: Tips beyond tech

How to ensure the human side of teaching is not lost and that pedagogical practices promoting care drive decisions when instructing online, from research by Mary Candace Raygoza, Aaminah Norris and Raina León

Mary Candace Raygoza, Aaminah Norris , Raina León

Saint Mary’s College of California

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

How to facilitate active, collaborative, authentic learning online

Active, collaborative, authentic: the evolution of teaching post-Covid

How to facilitate active, collaborative and authentic learning experiences by using digital tools to enhance teaching now and post-Covid-19

Michael Sankey

Griffith University

Guidance on how to teach practical, creative subjects online

Singing on mute: facilitating practical creative work online

Rebecca Berkley shares lessons on creating an immersive, inspiring digital learning environment to teach practical and creative subjects online

Rebecca Berkley

University of Reading

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

How academics can foster digital skills in their students and themselves for better online learning outcomes

Bringing teaching and digital together: skills needed to teach online

Sean Morris talks about how academics can foster digital skills in their students and themselves for better online learning outcomes

Sean Morris

University of Colorado Denver

Using learning analytics to enhance digital teaching delivery

DIY learning analytics: using data to improve online teaching

Jennifer Lawrence explains how to use small-scale data analytics to monitor student progress and improve digital teaching delivery

Jennifer Lawrence

University of New England

Boosting student employability via digital learning

Boosting student employability through virtual experience

From digital industry projects to virtual internships, employability can be enhanced online in many ways, but it is how students reflect upon and learn from their experiences that is important, as Dino Willox and Laura-Anne Bull explain

Dino Willox, Laura-Anne Bull

The University of Queensland

Illustration of an online class

Think-pair-share: how to structure online classes

When students discuss ideas and learn from one another, they absorb far more, which is the rationale behind the think-pair-share teaching model. Here José Guzman explains how he translated this to the online setting

José Guzman

University of Washington

Negotiated assessment boosts student engagement online and lowers the risk of cheating

Negotiated assessment in online teaching – the same learning outcomes measured in different ways

Authentic assessment is one of the biggest challenges associated with online teaching and learning. Here Katherine Baverstock explains why negotiated assessment engages remote students and lowers the risk of cheating

Katherine Baverstock

RMIT University

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

Singapore Institute of Technology

Online course design using strong pedagogy

Expert Q&A: Course design with strong pedagogy

Sophia Strickfaden, eLearning technologist for Colorado Colleges Online, talks through how to design online courses with strong pedagogy

Sophia Strickfaden

Colorado Community Colleges

Use videos to boost instructor presence when teaching online

Affecting connecting: High instructor presence through videos

Liza Hita shares important lessons on using videos as a way of boosting instructor presence when teaching online

Liza Hita

Arizona State University

Advice on designing online courses with lots of interactive elements boosts engagement

Transform engagement: Interaction and online course design

Advice on designing online courses with lots of interactive elements to boost engagement from Michele Hampton, professor at Cuyahoga Community College

Michele Hampton

Cuyahoga Community College

What faculty need to know when designing online courses

Ask the experts: What faculty need to know when designing online courses

Find out what faculty need to know when moving their courses online in this Q&A with Kayla Jutzi, instructional designer at Tulane University

Kayla Jutzi

Tulane University

Propelling higher education to a digital future

Recommendations on improving digital higher education from Sir Michael Barber’s review – and the resources to help

THE Campus has worked with the team behind Sir Michael Barber’s digital teaching and learning review to create a toolkit, presenting their key recommendations for improving digital education alongside practical advice and insight from academics to help institutions meet the proposals

Joshua Fleming, Lara Bird, Miranda Prynne

Office for Students, Campus

How to ensure quality in digital teaching and learning

Expert Q&A: Ensuring quality online – every learner, everywhere

Penny Ralston-Berg, senior instructional designer at Penn State World Campus, discusses how to ensure quality in digital teaching and learning

Penny Ralston-Berg

Penn State University

Engaging students online when teaching remote courses

Expert Q&A: Engaging students online – every learner, everywhere

Patricia O’Sullivan, project coordinator of academic innovation at the University of Mississippi, offers insight on engaging students in the online environment

Patricia O’Sullivan

University of Mississippi

How and why to apply evidence-based practices to digital learning

Ask the experts: Evidence-based practices in digital learning

Learn about how and why to apply evidence-based practices to digital learning in this Q&A with Nina Araujo, instructional designer at Northeastern University

Nina Araujo

Northwestern University

Designing online courses with quality and engagement at the forefront

Designing with quality and engagement at the forefront

Online learning expert Angela Gunder offers advice on how to design digital courses with a focus on quality and engagement

Angela Gunder

Online Learning Consortium

Engaging learnings across modalities in online classes

Expert Q&A: Active learning – engage learners across modalities

Peter van Leusen, director of adaptive and personalised learning at Arizona State University answers questions on how to engage students when teaching across different modalities

Peter van Leusen

Arizona State University

Using evidence based practices in online course design

Ask the experts: Evidence-based practices in online teaching and learning

Find out about using evidence-based practices in online teaching and learning in this Q&A with Ryan Luke, programme director for adaptive learning at the University of Louisville

Ryan Luke

University of Louisville

Why a flipped classroom approach to online teaching is so effective

Using an adaptive active model to promote student success

Susan Holecheck explains why flipping the traditional classroom teaching model with an adaptive active learning approach has proven so effective at Arizona State University

Susan Holecheck

Arizona State University

Advice on designing online classes

Expert Q&A: Designing online classes

Brandon Karcher, instructional technology manager at Bucknell University, and Douglas Wilson, instructional designer at Dallas College, answer fellow academics’ questions about how best to design online classes

Brandon Karcher, Douglas Wilson

Bucknell University, Dallas College

Effective assessment of written work when teaching online

Efficient and effective assessment of written work remotely

Hear about some tried and tested methods for effective assessment of written work when teaching online from Sara Clarke and Katy Dumelle of Oregon State University

Sara Clarke, Katy Dumelle

Oregon State University

Engage remote students by developing an authentic voice for your online classes

Instructor presence: How to engage students through building an authentic ‘voice’

Lessons in how to use an authentic instructor voice to keep students engaged when teaching remotely, from Shannon McCarty of National University

Shannon McCarty

National University

Creating instructional videos that works for remote learning

Instructional videos: Creating multimedia that works for learning

Best practice in creating instructional videos that efficiently impart knowledge to students learning remotely, from Judy Brooks

Judy Brooks

Carnegie Mellon University

Three questions to ask when selecting new technology for online teaching

Three questions to ask before using a new digital resource

What should educators consider before adopting a new digital resource to support their online teaching? Michael Windelspecht outlines three key questions to ask

Michael Windelspecht

Inspire Edventures

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

Adapting teaching to get the most out of your synchronous online classes

Optimise your synchronous online classes

Teaching online requires adaptations to in-person teaching, whatever your level of experience. Jesper Hansen explains what key changes he has made to his teaching practice to optimise his synchronous online classes

Jesper Hansen

University College London

Using games in online learning

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

Use 360-degree video to create a more immersive digital learning experience

Using 360-degree video to bring online classes to life

Using 360-degree video can help create a more immersive digital learning experience, making practical aspects of online classes more realistic. Here Jane Frost draws on her experience of training nurses to explain how it can be used

Jane Frost

University of Canberra

Reimagining higher education teaching and learning for remote and online courses

THE Digital Transformation Forum: Reimagining higher education teaching and learning

Four academics offer practical advice on different aspects of online teaching and learning based on lessons from the rapid pivot to remote courses triggered by Covid-19

Alexandra Mihai, Angus Cheung, Maha Bali, Tom Wigham

University College London, The University of Edinburgh, American University in Cairo, University of Groningen

Research on effective digital course design and implementation

A guide to effective digital course design and delivery from four online teaching experts

Chrysi Rapanta consolidates the knowledge of four online teaching experts to produce guidance on what pedagogical content knowledge faculty need in order to develop effective digital courses

Chrysi Rapanta

NOVA University Lisbon

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

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

Advice on recording effective microlectures for your online classes

Recording effective microlectures

Two online teaching experts share advice on producing and using effective microlecture videos to keep students interested and engaged with online courses in this ACUE webinar

Michael Wesch, Viji Sathy

Kansas State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Encourage students to take their online learning outside

Take your online teaching outside

Being outdoors can offer students and teachers dozens of benefits, from improved learning outcomes to better mental health. Aimée Little talks about taking online classes outside

Aimée Little

University of York

Using virtual reality to record videos with avatars for online classes

Using virtual reality to create avatar videos for teaching online

Avatars can be a useful tool when recording lectures and classes for online teaching. Kojiro Yano describes how he uses virtual reality to make recording avatar-led online classes easier

Kojiro Yano

Osaka Institute of Technology

Illustration of a person using a laptop

How to create an engaging online experience using Microsoft Teams

Learn how to use Microsoft Teams to offer students an engaging online learning experience with David Kellerman, senior lecturer at UNSW

David Kellerman

UNSW Sydney

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

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

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

Asking remote students questions in online classes

Top online teaching tip: ask your students questions

Asking students questions during online classes provides insight into what they understand and where they need support. David Martin explains how to do this effectively when teaching remotely

David Martin

University of Dundee

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

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

How to design asynchronous online teaching to foster high levels of spontaneous student discussion

How I fostered multilingual student discussion in asynchronous online classes

Ioannis Gaitanidis explains how designed his asynchronous online teaching to foster the same level of spontaneous student discussion as his in-person classes

Ioannis Gaitanidis

Chiba University

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

Create a welcoming online learning community

Creating a welcoming and inclusive online learning community

Creating a sense of community among students is vital for effective online teaching. Here, Miral Gibson explains how fostering this welcoming online learning environment should be pedagogy-led

Miral Gibson

University of Roehampton

How to measure how much ‘immersification’ is needed in online courses

Immersification – a fresh dimension to learning design

Many online courses can benefit from immersive technologies to enhance the learning experience. Here Chek Tien Tan and May Lim outline their method for ensuring technology is chosen to support the desired student outcomes

Chek Tien Tan , May Lim

Singapore Institute of Technology

Designing online courses for effective remote teaching and learning

Organising your online course

Three digital teaching experts share advice on how to organise an online course effectively and answer questions about some key challenges during this ACUE webinar

Alyson Snowe, Michael Wesch, April Mondy

Community College of Rhode Island, Kansas State University, Delta State University

Approaches to moving practical courses to more remote learning

Innovative approaches to moving practical learning online

A major challenge of the move to remote learning has been how to teach practical subjects. Here, Lesley Saunders and Lucy Kirkham discuss how they adopted a combination of online, blended and socially distanced teaching for a large nursing course

Lesley Saunders , Lucy Kirkham

Sheffield Hallam University

Julianne Law offers insight on how she has adapted her ‘lectures’ for the digital classroom

From lecture theatre to living room: adapting teaching techniques to the online classroom

The move to online education has required a major rethink of traditional teaching practices. Julianne Law offers insight on how she has adapted her ‘lectures’ for the digital classroom

Julianne Law

Bangor University

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

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

Selecting digital tools that support your pedagogy and teaching strategies

Tech tools to help enhance online and blended learning

With thousands of educational apps all promising to enhance online learning, choosing the right technology is a challenge. Miral Gibson explains why how pedagogy and teaching strategies should inform these decisions

Miral Gibson

University of Roehampton

Advice on designing online assessment that reduces the opportunity or temptation to cheat

Design online assessment to prevent academic misconduct

Traditional proctored exams rarely work when teaching online so instructors must rely on careful assessment design to minimise the risk of cheating, explain Patrick Harte and Fawad Khaleel

Patrick Harte , Fawad Khaleel

Edinburgh Napier University

Practical advice on building equitable communities when teaching online

Do unto students as they would have done to them

Maha Bali offers practical advice on building equitable learning communities online no matter what students’ bandwidth or synchronicity of the class

Maha Bali

American University in Cairo

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

How to design online courses and assessments to minimise plagiarism and cheating

Fair assessment: tackling the rise in online cheating

The move to online learning has seen a big increase in academic misconduct such as plagiarism. Camilla Roberts explains how careful planning of online teaching and assessment can minimise cheating

Camilla Roberts

Kansas State University

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

Using technology to enhance learning

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 who shares simple steps to ensure technology enhances learning outcomes

Steve Davies

University of South Wales, Learna

Using the Community of Inquiry to improve online learning outcomes

Making the implicit explicit: improve online learning through ‘presence’

Dara Cassidy explains how the Community of Inquiry provides a framework to help translate teaching strategies that come naturally in the classroom to the online learning environment where they require more deliberate planning

Dara Cassidy

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Redefining higher education for the digital age

The lecture is dead, long live the lecture: Redefining higher education in a digital age

The move to online teaching is a chance to redesign higher education delivery to reflect the way students learn, replacing traditional lectures with more interactive material, as Kylie Readman, Garth Maker and Astrid Davine explain

Kylie Readman, Garth Maker, Astrid Davine

Murdoch University

Advice on reframing lectures for teaching in a digital age

The active lecture: student-centred learning for the future

Online teaching offers valuable insight into effective pedagogy that will remain useful long after the pandemic is past, according to James Pickering, who outlines the key lessons to improve teaching design and delivery

James Pickering

University of Leeds

Steer the course: Help students navigate the online learning journey

Steer the course: Help students navigate the online learning journey

Technology supports a more flexible approach to learning, but it is important that instructors guide students through the course to ensure they engage with content in a logical order, as Kylie Readman, Garth Maker and Astrid Davine explain

Kylie Readman, Garth Maker, Astrid Davine

Murdoch University

Lessons from research into the flipped classroom model online

How a flipped classroom model improves learning in online STEM courses

STEM courses can be challenging to master online, but research by Atef Abuhmaid and Tao Tang shows a flipped classroom model improves outcomes. Here they outline the key lessons from their study

Atef Abuhmaid, Tao Tang

The Hashemite University, Chengdu University of Information Technology

Design online courses from a student's point of view for better user experience

UX for teaching: designing online courses from a student’s point of view

Gearoid O’Suilleabhain explains how academics can improve the ‘user experience’ of their online courses by looking at the design from a student’s perspective

Gearoid O'Suilleabhain

Munster Technological University

How can faculty get the most out of their collaboration with educational technologists

How to enhance collaboration between faculty and digital teams

Educational technologist Roland Sherwood explains how faculty can get the most from their work with digital experts to enhance online teaching

Roland Sherwood, Tamara Kaup

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

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

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

Using visual media to activate student learning

Using visual media to enhance online learning

Nataša Lacković presents a pedagogical approach to using visual media to activate student learning, rather than simply decorating course content

Nataša Lacković

Lancaster University

Illustration of students interacting with the web

Top five strategies for integrating active learning into virtual classes

It is all too easy for remote learning to become a passive experience for students, sitting on their own at home. Here Steven Mintz outlines some strategies for ensuring students remain actively engaged with their online courses

Steven Mintz

University of Texas at Austin

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

Teachers stay present - don't take yourself out of your online classes

In defence of old-school teaching during a worldwide crisis

The rapid move to online teaching risks lecturers becoming over reliant on technology and steadily disappearing from their own courses. Here Glenn Geher argues the case for instructors remaining at the heart of their classes and only using technology to support their teaching

Glenn Geher

State University of New York at New Paltz

Using Blackboard learning journals as a form of online assessment

Translating creative assessment styles online: Blackboard learning journals

Traditional exams can inhibit students, while more creative assessments provide a forum where their talent and knowledge can shine. Madeleine Davies discusses a technique to offer creative assessments online

Madeleine Davies

University of Reading

Illustration of a woman reading a book

Improving students' digital literacy for remote learning

The natural tech savviness of Generation Z doesn’t necessarily extend to remote learning tools. Here are three tips from the Open University of Hong Kong to train students to use collaborative working platforms

Heidi Cheng, Maurice Choi, Sylvia Sze, Candy Law, Kan Cho, Samuel Hong

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Online video meeting

Running safe and secure online meetings and calls

New digital teaching methods risk exposing personal and sensitive information among students and staff. Here are best practice tips from Matthew Davis on running safe and secure online meetings and calls

Matthew Davis

Leeds University Business School

Illustration of scientific research

Remote vs virtual labs

The move to online teaching has led to a huge rise in the use of both remote and virtual laboratories. Here Dr Yeung explains how each works and outlines their strengths and weaknesses

Yau-Yuen Yeung

The Education University of Hong Kong

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

The rules of engagement for virtual learning

It can be a challenge to keep students’ attention from wandering when teaching online. Here Bill Boulding talks through key rules to put in place to keep everyone engaged in the virtual learning environment

Bill Boulding

Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

Selecting tools to promote personalised teaching and to encourage more self-regulated learning online

How to use online tools to offer more personalised teaching

There is no one-size-fits-all model for effective online teaching. Rupert Ward offers advice on selecting tools to promote personalised teaching and to encourage more self-regulated learning online

Rupert Ward

University of Huddersfield