Higher education pedagogy

Learn more about pedagogy and how different theories of teaching and learning work across higher education. Here, academics offer insights into a variety of pedagogies, drawing on their own teaching experience alongside research, to provide practical advice on what instructional methods work best for different university contexts, disciplines and classes.

By dene.mullen , 15 June, 2021

The joy of text in a world of tech zealotry

Text and computer code. We should stop fetishizing high-tech teaching and realise that reading is an optimal means of learning

Why do we fetishise high-tech teaching while denigrating reading as a second-rate learning style? asks Andy Farnell

By miranda.prynne , 10 June, 2021

How to design unforgettable class activities that help students learn better

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

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

By miranda.prynne , 9 June, 2021

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

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

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

By miranda.prynne , 31 May, 2021

Supporting self-directed learning across cultural boundaries

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

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

By dene.mullen , 28 May, 2021

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

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

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

By miranda.prynne , 27 May, 2021

How to foster collaboration among students trained to compete

Advice on fostering collaboration among students more used to competing

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

By miranda.prynne , 27 May, 2021

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

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

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

By miranda.prynne , 26 May, 2021

How to induct students into the flipped-classroom model

Advice on preparing students so they get the most out of 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

By dene.mullen , 26 May, 2021

Should lecturers be trained to deal with shortening attention spans?

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

By miranda.prynne , 24 May, 2021

Online teaching insights, part five: Online feedback and continuity

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

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

Higher education pedagogy