Teaching and learning

Somewhere, in a class past or future, your nemesis awaits. John Kaag on the existential terror of a pedagogical puzzle

The humanities classroom offers reflection of a healthier sort, says Robert Zaretsky

There is “no sign” that students paying up to £9,000 in tuition fees in 2012-13 are receiving more for their money from universities, according to a survey of contact hours, workload and satisfaction.

Undergraduate-led learning environment is eroding academics’ authority, Jack Grove writes

It’s not what you teach but how that matters, says Felipe Fernández-Armesto

If creativity can’t be taught, the invaluable craft of writing can, says novelist and Bath Spa professor

Education academics must demonstrate their practical relevance if they wish to save their discipline, argues John Furlong

Informal group admits reform will require more work than previously thought

Robert Gordon head critiques traditional rationale for scholarly activity

Starting university-level study in secondary school pays financial and academic dividends, writes Jon Marcus

Kevin Fong boldly takes science to pupils in post-Thatcher, post-Spock galaxies

Historian invites former students to dinner as part of ‘retirement odyssey’

Cases of serious cheating fall by 60 per cent, company says

Dale Salwak on the sudden realisation that knowledge of his subject had become intuitive understanding and lecture notes could be put aside when teaching

Nicholas Royle on the rise of creative writing and the need for fresh forms of ‘creative reading’

The OECD’s Ahelo project aims to compare graduate quality internationally

Steve Sarson’s first-years were tasked with a CV exercise on study time, so he reminded them of the alternatives to the market

Nobel prizewinner Sir John Gurdon, who famously did not have his potential recognised, and five other scholars recall their school days and the characters that inspired them one way or another

In the second of a series surveying research evidence about teaching and learning, Graham Gibbs concludes that the best learning is done in small classes involving personal interaction with teachers

Add grade point averages to honours classification for a better snapshot of student achievement, says John Raftery

Universities and schools should collaborate more on classroom techniques to drive up standards in teaching, according to a senior Labour peer.

‘Grade grubbing’ may be on increase as student entitlement grows in high-fees era

Not only do medieval travellers’ tales provide students with a compelling account of history rooted in personal experience, they also promote cross-cultural understanding in the present day, argues David Mould

The memoir of a creative writing tutor stalked by a former student turned “verbal terrorist” is attracting widespread attention.

Regulator to review range of options for institutions falling short on quality measures

Canadian company Lashzone sent mass emails to UK universities in bid to establish ‘secret’ franchises on campuses

US-style scheme will feature alongside degree classifications in UK first

But private pupils do not suffer discrimination, expert argues

The promotion of student employability by universities is “a problem” and the growing power of the student voice amounts to “surveillance” of lecturers, an academic has warned.

The Russell Group of elite universities has declared its opposition to separating AS-levels from A-levels – three weeks after the proposals were announced.

Reluctance to contest marks or ask for help may be factors in attainment gap. Jack Grove writes

Lecturers’ live-to-camera marking of student work proves to be a low-budget hit, reports Chris Parr

In the first of a series surveying research evidence about teaching and learning, Graham Gibbs considers the findings on large class sizes

‘Probably the most significant medieval historian’ rounds on absentee students. Paul Jump writes

Traditional values for OU-led Mooc platform that aims to rival US providers. Chris Parr reports

Part-time teachers are not getting the support they require from university departments, despite their growing importance within the academy.

Gandhi is the inspiration for a rail-based college. Joanna Sugden reports from New Delhi

Personal experience can drive scholars to push the boundaries in their chosen field, writes Jon Marcus

UCU study suggests flaws in student-to-staff ratios may mask true class sizes. Jack Grove reports

Jack Grove speaks to the former president of Ireland who will lead an EU inquiry into higher education