Ambitions for the Learning Environment

Our students come from wide and varied backgrounds, with a range of prior experiences and learning.

Envision the students who will be in your cohort

Start with how you wish them to look upon completion of their studies

Consider what other demands they may have on their time and attention

Think carefully about where they come from and what previous learning they bring

Bring in one change, using the UDL approach

Scaffold inclusivity by implementing relevant UN SDGs

Encourage a world view where difference is valued, emphasising equitable and ethical treatment of others

The research-teaching nexus suggests we view our students as participants in their learning, not just an audience.

The different points on this nexus include teaching that is:

• Research-tutored
• Research-based
• Research-led
• Research-oriented

This nexus may be enhanced by teaching which:

Emphasises self-directed learning, which leads towards lifelong engagement with research

Contains challenge-driven problems, which allow for independent research

Brings data and findings from staff research into the curriculum and sets tasks for students which require them to use specific research skills

Scaffolds students’ academic literacy so that they become articulate in your discipline.

Authentic learning experiences which require the solving of complex challenges can offer opportunities to our students to construct meaning while working alongside others.

Choose active learning options which engage students

Be flexible by offering meaningful choices to students in terms of how and when they access information

Remember the UDL approach when creating these authentic learning experiences

Emphasise the experiential nature of students working internationally, or collaborating with partners from other countries

Consider capstone experiences for students to bring their learning together in creative ways to explore real-world problems

Develop a global perspective within the UL classroom

Create challenges which necessitate collaboration to be resolved

Create opportunities for cross-disciplinary sharing and exchange.

Encourage students to think critically and work together within and across disciplines

Include authentic learning experiences drawn from real-world examples

Foster an understanding of how students’ knowledge can work with other disciplines to solve complex (or ‘wicked’) problems.

Provide opportunities to apply knowledge to solve real-world problems, in collaboration with others

Emphasise the collaborative nature of co-op placements

In our technology-rich world, our students need to be equipped with lifelong skills to be adaptable and open to learning, to be ready to face, and shape, whatever the future brings. 

Build your students’ confidence to articulate themselves across a range of technology-mediated environments

Use digital technologies that are supported by resources within the university

Check for the latest guidance from UL, on Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity

Have students interact with Internationalisation at Home (IaH)