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 Tony.Sablan , 22 October, 2026

Overcome reading reluctance with in-class tasks

Two students in lecture hall look at a book

While no replacement for tackling long texts, short reading sessions build confidence, boost students’ learning and improve their analysis, synthesis and discussion

Reading time

4minutes

By Laura.Duckett , 21 October, 2026

The power of feedback to build belonging in online learning

A female student taking notes from her online class with other students and a teacher appearing in a gallery view on her screen

Connection in online learning does not happen accidentally; we must design and nurture it through feedback. Because good feedback conveys attention, recognition and care, write María de Lourdes Gómez Calvo and Estefannía Garza Tamez

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien , 21 October, 2026

How to establish a culture of care on campus

One university found student retention greatly improved when it made a few tweaks to its campus environment, fostering a warmer and more connected culture. Here’s how

Reading time

4minutes

By Laura.Duckett , 20 October, 2026

Make learning fun with mini whiteboards

The portable, double-sided and easily wipeable mini whiteboard offers a tactile alternative to its big brother at the front of the classroom, promoting active learning in groups of all sizes

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton , 16 October, 2026

‘The more I improved my instructions, the better they worked as AI prompts’

Clear instructions tell students about the assessment task, its purpose and its criteria for success, but they also give a large language model a checklist for optimisation. Soohyun Ahn offers advice for navigating educators’ two audiences

Reading time

5minutes

By kiera.obrien , 15 October, 2026

What’s in a name? How to build trust into a student mentor role

A new framework for student support meant the creation of a new role – but what to call it? Dana Abiltayeva explains why it matters

Reading time

5minutes

By Eliza.Compton , 15 October, 2026

For impactful teaching, remove barriers to learning – one decision at a time

Robotics students in a practical university class

Students can find information almost anywhere, but instructors provide something worth coming into the classroom for: meaningful relationships, authentic context and shared experiences. Matt Nowinski explains

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien , 14 October, 2026

Who are you when you teach?

Teaching isn’t just about activities and assessments – it’s about how we fill the different roles the job requires, personally and professionally. Here’s how to shape your educator identity

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton , 13 October, 2026

Lessons in teaching excellence drawn from leading a marching band

Outline of marching band as if in chalk on a blackboard

The football field can foster teaching excellence as much as the classroom. The leader of a nationally recognised marching band shares five ways to build a culture where students learn to work together and lead

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien , 12 October, 2026

Strategies for making online courses more impactful

A student watches a teacher lecture on a laptop

Here’s how to break the barrier between screen and student and engage with your online cohorts in a personal way

Reading time

4minutes

Student engagement