Boosting student retention rates online

Resources exploring what universities can do to reduce student drop-out rates through online teaching delivery

Advice on what universities can do to reduce student drop out rates while teaching online

Student attrition is an ongoing and costly problem for universities around the globe, with complex and varied causes. This collection of resources explores what steps universities and educators can take in their online teaching delivery to keep remote students on track and prevent them disengaging.

By miranda.prynne, 25 February, 2021

Well-being pedagogies: activities and practices to improve the student experience online

Wellbeing pedagogies to boost 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

Reading time

3minutes

Keeping remote students on track

Resources

By miranda.prynne, 4 February, 2021

Use technology to catch students before they fall

Tips on using technology to identify and help struggling students before they fall behind in online courses

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

By stefan.gagov, 25 August, 2020

The secret to timely, relevant, inclusive communication with students

Effective communication is vital to engaging and positive remote study. Cathy Stone offers advice on how to ensure communication between institutions and students is timely, relevant and inclusive

By miranda.prynne, 17 December, 2020

Instant messaging for improving instructor feedback in distance learning

Using instant messaging to deliver feedback to students learning remotely

One of the biggest challenges to online learning is lack of immediate instructor feedback, Justin Fendos’ research revealed. So his team trialled instant messaging to enable prompt responses

Fostering a sense of community and peer support online

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

By miranda.prynne, 4 November, 2020

Creating a welcoming and inclusive online learning community

Create a welcoming 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

By miranda.prynne, 11 January, 2021

Do unto students as they would have done to them

Practical advice on building equitable communities when teaching online

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

Reading time

3minutes

Training students to succeed online

Resources

By stefan.gagov, 14 August, 2020

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

By miranda.prynne, 11 December, 2020

Pausing playback: training students to read and take notes in online classes

How to incentivise students to complete their reading when teaching online

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

By miranda.prynne, 17 February, 2021

Improving academic writing skills to boost student confidence and resilience

Developing students academic writing skills

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

Looking after students from afar

Looking after the well-being of students who are studying remotely

By miranda.prynne, 15 February, 2021

How to offer students a rewarding university experience online

How universities can offer students a rewarding university experience online

Successfully teaching online is just one part of the battle to serve students remotely. Here David Woolley talks about what more universities can do to give students a fulfilling experience when they cannot attend in person

By miranda.prynne, 4 December, 2020

Socio-emotional learning online: boosting student resilience and well-being

How the Open University of Hong Kong is offering socio-emotional learning to protect student well-being

The Covid-19 crisis has led to worsening mental health and increased stress among students. Kathleen Chim talks about how the Open University of Hong Kong has tried to build students’ mental resilience through socio-emotional learning

Supporting students to learn online

Resources

By miranda.prynne, 5 November, 2020

How to communicate your online teaching structure to students – and why it matters

Communicate your online teaching structure to students before the course starts

It is important to explain your online teaching plan to students at the start of the course, so they know what to expect. Here, Dawn Gilmore explains why and how to do this.

By miranda.prynne, 17 November, 2020

Developing students’ confidence and sense of belonging online

Fostering a sense of belonging among remote students to aid learning

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

By miranda.prynne, 17 November, 2020

Making online content relevant and fun for Gen Z students

Make online teaching 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

Offering flexibility and support

Resources

By miranda.prynne, 26 January, 2021

Evolution not revolution: strengthening student services online

Use digital technologies to enhance student support services

Digital technologies are more than a short-term emergency tool; they provide an opportunity to enhance student support services long after a return to campus, explain Steven Goss and Amy Greenstein

By miranda.prynne, 25 January, 2021

Experiment, test, refine: work with students to shape online courses

Gather student feedback throughout your online course to test and refine teaching methods

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

Reading time

3minutes

By miranda.prynne, 3 February, 2021

Online alone is not the answer – how to design remote courses with accessibility and inclusivity in mind

Designing online courses with accessibility and inclusivity in mind

Digital accessibility is crucial in online teaching, says Amy Low. Here, she outlines what universities need to consider when designing inclusive online courses