Feature article

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

Recommendations for how Western institutions can remain attractive to Asian universities and students

Tips for engaging Asian universities and alumni in new modes of collaboration

Western institutions can continue to forge fruitful collaborations with Asian universities and attract students from the region. Here, Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan shares two key recommendations for how to do it

Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Managing future trends in higher education to get the best outcomes for students

Rethinking higher education in Asia post-pandemic: five key trends

Allan Yuen Hoi-kau highlights five trends to look out for as higher education in Asia evolves post-pandemic, and shares tips on striking a balance between technology and learning objectives

Allan Yuen Hoi-kau

Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education

Collaboration between Asia and the West is a global common good in higher education and beyond

What does the rise of Asia mean for global higher education?

Many hurdles remain, from racism to presumed Western superiority, but equal dialogues and collaborations will foster the global common good, says Xin Xu

Xin Xu

University of Oxford

Steps universities should take to prevent cyberbullying among students

How to prevent cyberbullying from rearing its ugly head in universities

Christy Cheung presents preventive measures universities should take to tackle cyberbullying among students working online

Christy Cheung

Hong Kong Baptist University

Will the shift to hybrid learning signal the end of the sage on the stage?

Moving online could signal the death of pedagogy

Shifting to andragogical learning models is the ideal way to prepare students for independent study, research and the world of work, says Steve Davies

Steve Davies

University of South Wales

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

Advice for meeting the needs of students in the MENA region

Meeting student needs in the MENA region through digital transformation

Barbar Akle, Rula Diab and George Nasr describe ways universities in the Middle East and North Africa can meet the needs of their students by embracing digital transformation and internationalisation

Barbar Akle, Rula Diab, George Nasr

Lebanese American University

A diverse group of students requires a diverse range of learning opportunities, an approach that is championed by universal design for learning

Flexibility is key if we want students to connect with their studies

Universal design for learning not only embraces diversity, it also uses it as the basis for providing choice in how students learn – and succeed, says Lillian Nave

Lillian Nave

Appalachian State 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 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

Too many devices. Should we be training lecturers to deal with shortened attention spans?

Should lecturers be trained to deal with shortening attention spans?

Would my life be easier if I had received explicit guidance in how to deliver content in TikTok-length pieces? asks Katie Davis

Katie Davis

University of Washington

Advice for teaching students across Eastern and Western cultural boundaries

When East meets West: improving student engagement in culturally diverse classrooms

Three simple steps can support student engagement across cultural boundaries, whether lecturers are teaching at home or overseas, writes T. J. Moore

T. J. Moore

The University of Edinburgh

Diversity faces many challenges in HE, but the Council of Coalitions model at ASU could offer valuable lessons

This model is the future of diversity in higher education

Coming together for support is the only way forward – and the Council of Coalitions is the model for inter-group organising we desperately need, says Pardis Mahdavi

Pardis Mahdavi

Arizona State University

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

Learning Chinese script. The challenges of teaching students a non-Roman language are manifold, especially online, but it's crucial to preserve linguistic heritage

The trials of teaching a ‘new’ script in a virtual world

Teaching non-Roman scripts online throws up great challenges, but we must preserve the world’s linguistic resources, say Rana Raddawi, Jingjing Ji and Ronit Alexander

Rana Raddawi, Jingjing Ji, Ronit Alexander

Northwestern University

Personal crises can strike students at any time, especially given the pandemic, and those who help them probably need help too.

The sector’s mental health workers need help too

More assistance must be offered to help students survive, let alone thrive – and the same goes for student crisis interventionists like me, says Lula Torres

Lula Torres

InsideTrack

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

Designing and delivering courses to meet students emotional needs

Supporting students’ emotional needs in distance learning

Yanfang Si shares simple online teaching methods to make students feel connected and supported and so help meet their emotional needs from a distance

Yanfang Si

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Taking a human approach to providing support for student well-being online

Using online coaching to support student well-being

Helen Duff explains how a human approach to providing support online, in the form of coaching sessions, can have a powerful impact on student well-being

Helen Duff

Arden University

An atmospheric theatre. Beware the futility of wellness theatre

Beware the futility of higher education’s wellness theatre

Surface-level emphasis on self-care without discussing systemic problems in HE runs the risk of gaslighting students who face very real barriers, says Fiona Rawle

Fiona Rawle

University of Toronto Mississauga

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

Digital poverty is becoming as important an issue as housing, healthcare and education, especially with universities pivoting online

Digital resources now rank alongside housing, healthcare and education

Universities, government, business and local communities must come together and provide strategic action to tackle digital poverty effectively, says Julian Thomas

Julian Thomas

RMIT University

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

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

A virtual student competition. These events' move online has resulted in a much greater international spread of participants and collaboration.

Moving student competitions online has made them better than ever

Virtual competitions have flourished and resulted in greater international collaboration, says Gayle DeBruyn

Gayle DeBruyn

Ferris State University

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

UCL

With more and more students achieving high grades, online micro courses can help graduates stand out in the jobs market

Short online courses can grease the wheels of student employability

The degree has transitioned from differentiating factor to basic benchmark. Online microcredentials can help graduates stand out from their rivals, says Madina Tash

Madina Tash

University of Sussex

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

Blogging is an overlooked means of engaging students and reaping myriad other benefits

Back to the future: how blogs can revolutionise your classroom

From assisting reflective learning to increasing engagement, do not overlook the humble blog amid the rush for the shiniest new online thing, says Dennis Relojo-Howell

Dennis Relojo-Howell

The University of Edinburgh

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

Made in China. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated China's position as the world leader in edtech.

Covid-19 has reinforced China’s role as global leader in ed-tech

The country’s giant companies benefit from an ecosystem that supports online learning and a cultural propensity to prioritise education, says Tom C. Varghese

Tom C. Varghese

University of Oxford

Advice on managing workloads and stress among students and faculty

Online teaching insights, part three: managing workload issues and stress

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

Investigating academic misconduct takes time and resources. The latter are sorely lacking and it is students who bear the brunt of the delays

We ignore the administrative load caused by cheating at our peril

The switch online has brought renewed scrutiny of misconduct, but without adequate resources, the real losers are our students, says Amanda White

Amanda White

University of Technology Sydney

Guidance on designing online learning to support more diverse learners to fuel the workplace

Designing online learning to fuel a more diverse workplace

Anthony Tattersall outlines online course design strategies that support greater diversity of learners and fuel a more varied workplace

Anthony Tattersall

Coursera

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

The government and HE sector must think digital-first when offering employability skills and training.

Digital-first thinking is needed to address youth employability

Younger people are geared towards digital channels, so they’re more likely to engage with innovative, online training as part of their studies, says Harminder Matharu

Harminder Matharu

FutureLearn

Guidance on responsible collection and use of student data to enhance online teaching

Secure and transparent use of student data

Bronwen Swinnerton and James Pickering outline the steps all universities should take to ensure ethical and transparent collection and use of student data via ed-tech platforms

Bronwen Swinnerton, James Pickering

University of Leeds

Advice on the guidance available to frame responsible use of learner analytics to improve students' university experience

Responsible use of learning analytics to improve the university experience

Rebecca Ferguson presents useful guidelines and frameworks for using learner analytics safely and effectively to inform improvements to teaching and student services

Rebecca Ferguson

The Open University

A computer lover embraces his machine. But cybersecurity is not just for the geeks in the IT department.

Cybersecurity is not just for the geeks in the IT department

Our first-year university students might have received no education on cybersecurity since the age of 13, say Andy Phippen and Emma Bond

Andy Phippen, Emma Bond

Bournemouth University, University of Suffolk

Advice on online teaching techniques that promote student well-being

Online teaching tips to support student well-being

Natalie Kopytko provides practical tips to address student well-being via online teaching practices that can also benefit faculty

Natalie Kopytko

University of Leeds

Zoom meetings do not have to be quite so painful for academics and university staff.

Zoom meetings don’t have to be quite so painful

Simple actions can help avoid common pitfalls in the design and execution of online team meetings, say Rob Angell and Ben Marder

Rob Angell, Ben Marder

University of Southampton, The University of Edinburgh

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

Universities have been taking all the wrong cues when trying to measure engagement.

Forget everything you think you know about online engagement

There’s much interest in how many times students access the virtual learning environment or complete online tasks, but that only provides part of the picture, says Linda Kaye

Linda Kaye

Edge Hill University

Difficult and emotional course content is easier to digest through non-linear, asynchronous delivery

Online micro-learning can transform the teaching of sensitive topics

Non-linear course design means that emotive and uncomfortable content can be paused or skipped and returned to another time, says Gemma Ahearne

Gemma Ahearne

University of Liverpool

Guidance on ensuring the cybersecurity of your online teaching and ed-tech

Cybersecurity in online learning

Mohammed Rehman explains what steps universities should take to educate staff and students about cybersecurity and how to protect themselves when teaching and learning online

Mohammed Rehman

Arden University

An empty university lecture hall. The sector should come together to welcome students back to campus.

The sector should come together to welcome students back to campus

Universities wasted a lot of time developing individual online transition resources last year. Let’s not make the same mistake again, says Donna Murray

Donna Murray

The University of Edinburgh

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

Sharing knowledge and becoming 'intellectually dependable' are intertwined and should be placed at the forefront of education

Teaching students to think for themselves is not enough

The critical thinking ideal is too individualistic and self-focused − students must learn to help others think well, too, says T. Ryan Byerly

T. Ryan Byerly

University of Sheffield

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