Professional insight from Arden University

A leading provider of flexible, remote and blended learning, Arden is one of the few specialist online teaching universities in the UK to launch in the last 50 years. Arden University delivers higher education designed to fit around its students’ lives.

Arden University provides higher education that students can fit around their lives

University staff clasp hands in a show of solidarity

Three lessons that outreach can teach us about enriching our own work

University staff can benefit from outreach as much as its participants. Oliver Rossetti explores three principles that can drive positive change within institutions, as well as beyond

Oliver Rossetti

Arden University

Students in an international classroom

We must stop treating internationalisation as something dependent on an aeroplane

Studying abroad can open students’ minds to the world – but the barriers to physical mobility are mounting. It’s time for a rethink

Anthony Manning

Arden University

Students laugh in a group together

Move beyond one-size-fits-all education for international students

Build a more inclusive and linguistically sensitive learning environment for global students with these tips

Anthony Manning

Arden University

A graph is volleyed upwards by a tennis racquet-wielding figure

Commercialise research with lessons from the sporting playbook

Looking for investment to turn your research into a company? Don’t think it’s all over – here’s how to knock it out of the park

Paul Sailsbury

Arden University

A young woman in a hard hat checks inventory on a tablet

Tips for successful apprenticeships courses

Learn how to please both the learner and employer when setting up and running apprenticeships, from a team who recently earned a 'Good' from Ofsted for their efforts

Steven Hurst

Arden University

A hand reaches for a wooden block displaying "AI"

We should be thinking about assessments and AI in a completely different way

Let’s embrace the benefits of AI rather than fearing its impact on academic misconduct. Dilshad Sheikh offers her tips on adopting new technology in pedagogy

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

How can we make the university experience more inclusive for neurodivergent students?

With an estimated one-fifth of the global population thought to be neurodivergent, more students than ever will need help to thrive at university. Gail Steptoe-Warren discusses how to make higher education more neurodivergent-friendly

Gail Steptoe-Warren

Arden University

A group of students using smartphones with brightly coloured shells

Make ‘switch your phone on’ a requirement of your lessons

Students are more likely to carry smartphones than pens when they walk into your class, so make use of their potential. Fernando Rosell-Aguilar outlines how to involve your students’ favourite device in active learning experiences

Fernando Rosell-Aguilar

Arden University

An illustration of twelve people using megaphones

Get the word out: four ways to communicate with non-academic audiences

Sharing scientific research with the wider public can be instrumental in breaking down the barriers to academic work. Ashleigh Johnstone offers advice

Ashleigh Johnstone

Arden University

Neurodiverse students

How to make your university more neurodiverse friendly

With one in seven people in the UK being neurodiverse, a group of lecturers and students from Arden University lists ways in which universities can better cater to neurodiverse students

Finola Farrant, Emma Owen

Arden University

Online presence

The benefits of having a web presence as an early career researcher

If you can be easily found online, you’re more likely to raise your research profile, receive media requests, get involved in peer review – or even just get nice emails from the public, writes Ashleigh Johnstone

Ashleigh Johnstone

Arden University

Jobs of the future

Training students for jobs that do not exist yet

The rethinking of course materials and programmes to incorporate future trends is a key requirement for all forward-thinking providers, write Aaron Taylor and Victoria Rafferty

Aaron Taylor, Victoria Rafferty

Arden University

Knowledge transfer partnerships

The three key building blocks for a successful knowledge transfer partnership

KTPs offer huge benefits to all involved – as long as you have the right partner, the right project and the right graduate, explains Ruth Greenhalgh

Ruth Greenhalgh

Arden University

How to write more compelling awards entries

How to write better awards entries

From conducting in-depth interviews to telling the whole story, Sam Russell provides top tips for crafting a compelling narrative that will appeal to awards panels

Sam Russell

Arden University

THE Campus webinar graphic

Campus webinar: University admissions: a flawed process?

University admissions experts from Campus+ institutions in the UK, US and Canada discuss where the system is falling short, how to make it fairer for all and how AI is impacting admissions

Rick Clark, Juan Espinoza, Norma Rodenburg, Dilshad Sheikh

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities, Virginia Tech, University of Alberta, Arden University

The flipped classroom at university

The five key steps for getting the best out of a flipped classroom

From planning properly to understanding cognitive load, Aaron Taylor reveals how to engender greater student engagement and motivation through the flipped classroom

Aaron Taylor

Arden University

International partnerships for universities

Seven tips on finding and establishing international partnerships

An international partnership is like a marriage – once the courting is over, long-term compatibility is crucial, says Debra Hinds

Debra Hinds

Arden University

Student receiving feedback

Efficient methods of marking and providing feedback

Aaron Taylor and Victoria Rafferty provide advice on how to ensure formative and summative feedback is carried out with student learning in mind

Aaron Taylor, Victoria Rafferty

Arden University

Careers chatbot

Six tips for implementing a careers chatbot ethically and effectively

Helping students make good academic choices fuelled by their career aspirations before they start studying is crucial – and a well-designed chatbot can be very useful

Caroline Tolond, Deirdre Hughes, Chris Percy

Arden University, CiCi

Socrates' methods can still help university student in the battle with misinformation

How Socrates can help your students question information

In a world full of answers, we must take time to ask questions, and the approaches favoured by Socrates can still be useful today, explains Konstantinos Arfanis

Konstantinos Arfanis

Arden University

Two people looking through assessment feedback

The potential of artificial intelligence in assessment feedback

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve the way students receive assessment feedback. Elizabeth Ellis explores some of the ways in which AI can help students

Elizabeth Ellis

Arden University

Fist bump

Why is collegiality crucial and how can we foster it?

Being an academic can be a solitary pursuit at times, but creating a supportive and enjoyable working environment helps staff do their best work, says Tobias Kliem

Tobias Kliem

Arden University

Image showing a design planning process

Fundamentals of design that will improve your work in every dimension

Improving the design of your teaching or research work need not be daunting and will herald remarkable results in a few tiny steps, explains Cavell Ord-Shrimpton

Cavell Ord-Shrimpton

Arden University

Amplifying your research paper can be achieved if you are ready to be proactive

How to be proactive when amplifying research papers

Conferences might be the first thought, but there are many options for furthering your paper’s reach – and they usually require you to take the lead

Ashleigh Johnstone

Arden University

Mature students and other non-traditional students are often overlooked by university recruitment teams

How to attract and support non-traditional students in higher education

Hurdles and obstacles are created from the outset and then vice-chancellors wonder why their student population is not diverse, says Dilshad Sheikh

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

LinkedIn is becoming academia’s key tool for career progression

For students and academics alike, it’s harder to ignore LinkedIn’s combination of networking and self-promotional opportunities

Gillian McCurdy

Arden University

Universal design for learning is a key framework for equity, diversity and inclusion among students in university settings

The case for using universal design for learning at your institution

Universal design for learning can be the answer when searching for true equity in our universities. Jacqui Whittle and Caroline Pike outline the how and why

Jacqui Whittle, Caroline Pike

Arden University

Fostering interdisciplinary thinking in students is a great idea for universities

How to lay the groundwork for interdisciplinarity in students

Recent events have shown the necessity of working together, and it’s never too early for universities, faculty and students to begin thinking about this, says Georgina Harris

Georgina Harris

Arden University

Speech bubble representing constructive criticism, feedback to students in creative fields

How educators can help creatives cope with constructive criticism

John Hitchings offers advice for giving helpful feedback and supporting students studying in a creative field

John Hitchings

Arden University

Practical and authentic assessment is crucial for students hoping to show employers what they're capable of

How to make sure assessment practices are as authentic as possible

We all want employers to be confident that students have the skills to do the job. And these skills still require assessment, it’s just done a little differently, says Paula Reilly

Paula Reilly

Arden University

Universities should be preparing now to be inundated with older students given workforce shifts

Universities need to prepare for the mature student onslaught

Higher ed is notoriously bad at attracting and accommodating mature students. Given the workforce shifts spawned by the pandemic, this needs to change, says Dilshad Sheikh

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

Advice on using digital simulations to prepare students for workplace challenges

How to use digital simulations to prepare students for future careers

How institutions should use digital simulation technology to train students in practical, real-world skills, based on her experience in healthcare courses

Stephanie West

Arden University

Chatbots can be vital tools for university careers services, with one-to-one discussions set to become a thing of the past

How AI and chatbots can deliver personalised career planning

The development of careers chatbots could be considered a threat to guidance practitioners, but the reverse is true, says Caroline Tolond

Caroline Tolond

Arden University

Advice on the key considerations for setting up a branch campus overseas

The dos and don’ts for setting up an international campus

Tobias Kliem offers insight on what to prioritise and what to avoid when setting up a branch campus overseas

Tobias Kliem

Arden University

Advice on selection ed-tech tools that will improve the students' learning experience rather than distract from teaching

How to assess if online tools will enhance learning experiences

Elizabeth Ellis offers five tips for assessing and selecting digital education tools that will improve rather than distract from your teaching

Elizabeth Ellis

Arden University

Advice on working with employers to develop courses that teach the skills needed in the workplace

Teaching the skills wanted by employers in 2021 and beyond

Dilshad Sheikh makes a case for universities to work more closely with employers to shape industry-relevant courses and expose students to more real-world practical training and assessment

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

Advice on working with employers and leveraging technology to train students in creative problem solving

Using tech to train students in creative problem-solving 

Alison Watson explains how institutions can guide students in developing creative solutions to real-world problems, better preparing them for the demands of the future workplace

Alison Watson

Arden University

Traditional universities have often been too slow on the digital uptake

Choppy digital waters lie ahead for many storied institutions

Traditional universities are too often led by the interests of lecturers rather than the employment needs of students or recruitment needs of businesses, says Dilshad Sheikh

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

Advice on successfully scaling up student support services

Scaling up student support services

Suzanne Mitchell advises on how to scale up student support services, using technology that provides multiple communications channels and early warning systems to assist specialist staff teams

Suzanne Mitchell

Arden University

Advice on creating accessible inclusive reading lists for students

How to develop inclusive reading lists for distance and blended learning

Jude Wilson offers advice on how academics can work with their university library teams to ensure course reading lists are accessible and inclusive for all students

Jude Wilson

Arden University

Collaborating with employers on courses to train work ready graduates

Collaborating with employers to create work-ready graduates

Paula Reilly explains how universities can work with employers and students to shape curricula and courses that better prepare graduates for the future workplace

Paula Reilly

Arden 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

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