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 dene.mullen , 19 April, 2021

The campus is dead, long live the campus

The campus of the future will need to take into account the likely use of hyflex pedagogy

Potential post-Covid changes to campus design will slide along a spectrum from optimising space to rethinking academic structures, says Jay Deshmukh

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen , 16 April, 2021

Virtual international exchange needs a sharpening of practice

Asian student learning about virtual exchange. There is a need to be clear on the outcomes of virtual exchange as it becomes more common.

For committed international educators, there is a need to clarify the purpose of virtual exchange before the trend takes hold, says Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

By miranda.prynne , 15 April, 2021

Virtual language learning through synchronous and asynchronous teaching

Advice on teaching languages online both via synchronous and asynchronous teaching models

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

By miranda.prynne , 14 April, 2021

Using coaching circles to beat isolation and spur reflexive work

An explanation of how student coaching circles can help improve course learning outcomes

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

By dene.mullen , 14 April, 2021

Biden’s next big deal must include expanded broadband access

Rural America suffers from a lack of high-speed internet access, which in turn hinders social mobility

The pandemic helped expose an insidious digital divide that imperils efforts to reduce inequality and promote social mobility, says Jem Spectar

By dene.mullen , 13 April, 2021

Co-creation does not need to stop because we’ve moved online

Co-creation is still possible even though most teaching and learning is taking place online.

Co-creation is far more about mindset than suitability for a particular setting, and the evidence demonstrating its benefits is growing, says Catherine Bovill

By dene.mullen , 12 April, 2021

Virtual learning environments mustn’t lead to module silos

Virtual learning, book and laptop merged

We must ensure modules complement one another by establishing consistency in their form and functioning, says Maurice Kinsella

By miranda.prynne , 8 April, 2021

Supporting foreign-language students in online class discussions

Steps to help foreign language students engage with online class discussions

Online discussions pose a challenge for foreign-language students studying remotely overseas, so instructors should take steps to support their understanding and engagement, says Liyun Wendy Choo

By miranda.prynne , 7 April, 2021

Negotiating the minefield of global online teaching: dealing with difference  

Managing conflicting perspectives of international students when teaching online

Farish A. Noor offers advice on managing the conflicting viewpoints of students living and studying in different countries and cultural contexts when teaching international groups online

By dene.mullen , 6 April, 2021

Grades are dehumanising, but ‘ungrading’ is no simple solution

A scantron sheet. Do we dehumanise students when we put them into spreadsheet rows?

There is nothing ideologically neutral about grades, and nothing ideologically neutral about the idea we can neatly and tidily do away with them, says Jesse Stommel

Student engagement