Student engagement

Teaching academics and university staff address what student engagement means to them and offer advice on capturing students’ attention in an age of digital distraction and keeping them motivated to learn. Find insights on teaching strategies that give students agency over their learning, boost class attendance and participation and help to build a campus community.

By Laura.Duckett , 29 September, 2026

Co-creation isn’t simply asking for students’ views

Teachers and students working on a project together in the library

How to prepare, support and work with student co-creators so that diverse perspectives can genuinely shape change

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton , 26 September, 2026

How to turn students’ smartphone confidence into academic digital literacy

Young female student looking confused at laptop

Confidence using apps and social media doesn’t always indicate that first-year students can use university systems. Here are four ways how to make sure their practical computing habits are up to scratch

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien , 25 September, 2026

How to become a better teacher

There is more to teaching than simply delivering content. Anggi Maisarah explains what she’s learned from her students and her advice for better teaching

Reading time

3minutes

By Eliza.Compton , 25 September, 2026

To AI or not to AI? That is the question

Educators should embrace their role as advocates for higher education and the critical thinking skills it imparts, argues Sarah Birrell Ivory. Here, she shares a classroom exercise that compares the learning benefits of a written source with generative AI

Reading time

6minutes

By Eliza.Compton , 23 September, 2026

What is authentic about ‘authentic learning’?

Female student examining a computer chip with a magnifying glass

The catch-all term ‘authentic’ can distinguish certain teaching, practical and assessment tasks as being more valuable than others, but educators need to ask what assumptions underpin the label, writes J. Patrick Williams

By kiera.obrien , 22 September, 2026

The balancing act involved in teaching a class of mixed-ability students

An illustration of a figure balancing on a tightrope

Have you faced a situation where half of your class are subject-matter experts, and the other half are absolute beginners? Find practical strategies for bringing novices up to speed while keeping experts motivated

Reading time

4minutes

By Laura.Duckett , 21 September, 2026

Make tech work in large online courses

A student on a zoom call in her home office

Students on large online courses can sometimes feel like a face among the crowd. Keep them engaged with interactive activities such as digital escape rooms or business simulators

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien , 21 September, 2026

Three lessons that outreach can teach us about enriching our own work

University staff clasp hands in a show of solidarity

University staff can benefit from outreach as much as its participants. Oliver Rossetti explores three principles that can drive positive change within institutions, as well as beyond

Reading time

5minutes

By kiera.obrien , 17 September, 2026

Bring open science into the classroom

To truly change science, the next generation of researchers must understand not only open science practices but also the values behind them. Find three ways to introduce them to students

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton , 15 September, 2026

Memorable teaching doesn’t just transfer knowledge – it transforms perspective

Architecture students inspecting plans on a board

Educators may often ask themselves how to make teaching more engaging. A better question is how to create learning experiences that fundamentally change the way students think

Reading time

4minutes

Student engagement