221 pieces
Newest first, since February 2011 · page 5 of 12
· Comment
It is not sustainable to expect universities to offer specialist mental health support
The mental health challenge is real – but universities are at risk of being pushed to deliver mental health support beyond their educative mission, argues Debbie McVitty
· Comment
Five aspirations for effective academic support systems
Drawing on insight from a new Wonkhe/Solutionpath project, Rachel Maxwell and Debbie McVitty explore how universities are approaching the wicked problem of reimagining academic support
With Rachel Maxwell
· Comment
The link between place and widening participation should be more explicit
Expanding higher education isn’t explicitly on any political party’s agenda, but you can’t have regional economic regeneration without it, argues Debbie McVitty
· People
Chris Husbands: “most politicians look at the sector and think they are looking into a mirror”
As Sheffield Hallam’s vice chancellor prepares to move on, he speaks to Debbie McVitty about his experience of policy influencing and the need for creative leadership in higher education
· Analysis
TEF submissions reveal a range of conceptions of educational gain
A crowdsourced analysis of TEF submissions shows that there is no single working definition of educational gain. Debbie McVitty, Adam Matthews, and James Coe don’t find that to be a problem
With Adam Matthews and James Coe
· Comment
Now is not the time to embrace the power of positive thinking
As the Office for Students warns against “optimism bias” in universities’ annual financial returns, Debbie McVitty wonders if the HE sector can find hope in difficult times
· Comment
The places that are thriving make good use of their graduates
Data on the graduate premium in the UK’s regions suggests some struggle to make the most of graduate-level skills. Debbie McVitty tries to work out what’s going on
· Research
Setting the curve 5 – navigating technology adoption in the academic community
University staff might want to develop their use of technology but struggle to make the time. Jo Midgley and Emily McIntosh reflect on what it takes to make technology change meaningful
With Jo Midgley and Emily McIntosh
· Research
Setting the curve 4 – the contours of the generative AI debate
Will generative AI stop students from thinking or help them do it better? Educators are split – but Kelly Coate calls for calm
With Kelly Coate
· Research
Setting the curve 3 – do students know what is expected of them in their engagement with technology?
Universities might have big plans for digital learning and teaching, but students don’t always receive the memo. Bethan Dudas calls for joined-up thinking
With Bethan Dudas
· Research
Setting the curve 2 – how can technology support institutional goals for student success?
Educators are confident technology can support student success goals. Tony Moss and Keith McLay explain how that works in practice
With Antony Moss and Keith McLay
· Research
Setting the curve 6 – moving forward with institutional digital transformation
What works (and what doesn’t) in institutional digital transformation? We have some wise words from Jisc chief executive Heidi Fraser-Krauss
With Heidi Fraser-Krauss
· Research
Setting the curve 1 – how universities are deploying technology for learning, teaching, and student success
Wonkhe and Kortext have surveyed educators and talked to sector leaders to explore the post-Covid landscape for digitally enabled higher education. Spoiler: pedagogy drives technology
With Danielle George and James Gray
· Research
Financial struggles make it harder for students to connect and engage in their university community
New research from Wonkhe and Pearson finds connections between students’ financial struggles, wellbeing, and academic progress. Gail Capper and Debbie McVitty report the findings
With Gail Capper
· Comment
Maintaining impartiality on free speech could be the Office for Students’ biggest regulatory challenge yet
Arif Ahmed, OfS director for freedom of speech and academic freedom says he has no interest in culture wars. Debbie McVitty wonders whether the regulator can realistically be neutral
· Research
Having the conversation with students about learning engagement and data analytics
Students have views on how learning engagement data should be collected, analysed and used. Michelle Craig and Debbie McVitty share findings of new research from Wonkhe and Solutionpath
With Michelle Craig
· Comment
To win public investment, universities must earn it, says UUK
As heads of institution gathered in Manchester for UUK conference, political stormclouds were gathering. Debbie McVitty finds out what Universities UK’s plan is to restore universities’ fortunes
· Comment
Level 3 results are a lightning rod for anxiety about the status of university
Debbie McVitty argues that doomful media stories about the state of universities reflect wider cultural angst
· Comment
Will student number controls for underperforming courses actually improve quality?
Debbie McVitty thinks through the next steps for government measures to restrict student recruitment on the basis of quality
· Research
What makes a higher education curriculum fit for the future?
Mark Andrews and Debbie McVitty introduce new Wonkhe/Adobe research with university leaders exploring the changing curriculum and how universities are making their aspirations for curriculum change a reality
With Mark Andrews