The Study Buddy programme provides a dedicated space for students to work. In this space (physical and digital) students know that they can access dedicated academic support from a member of staff and a community of students who wish to work alone together. The programme allows students to dedicate a portion of their time to their studies and receive community support throughout. The physical space also guarantees students a quiet environment, guaranteed desk space, access to technology and free tea and coffee throughout the day.

A mentoring scheme within a faculty, department or module is an excellent way of promoting integration and can help facilitate transition periods for students starting university or advancing to a higher year. This scheme can be either compulsory or optional. It will tend to span across years so should primarily be an optional pedagogy. However, providing the platform for (especially 1st year) students to access the experience and knowledge of older student in their department is a highly valuable initiative. This is easily done through the course society but can also be achieved via an email or online sign-up medium.

Various techniques that can help with the initial stages of lectures or seminars to 'break the ice' and improve classroom culture using activities relating to the course or just integration exercises.

To improve the student induction experience and prepare students for their academic studies through the development of pre-arrival e-learning resources. Also enhances student engagement before arrival at university. Details on this can be found here.

Encouraging students to contribute to a community glossary on moodle (or any similar website). This pedagogy supports the creation of a community of learning, particularly within the virtual setting.

Use of polling software such as Vevox to promote engagement. Being able to utilise software that encourages the whole classroom or lecture hall to engage can be an effective way for staff members to gauge progress and participation. But also, students are able to take part in an enjoyable and creative exercise that diverts from the traditional didactic teaching method. Furthermore, it is an inclusive approach that allows students who are less willing to e.g. putting their hand up, to participate, generally in an anonymous fashion.

Online Intercultural Exchanges offer a form of computer-mediated learning whereby students from geographically remote classes work together online (in pairs or small groups) on learning tasks developed by teachers or educational facilitators. They allow students to have a meaningful intercultural experience as part of their education, increasing mutual understanding and global citizenship. Besides, our students’ feedback has also shown that this pedagogy has helped them to boost their mental health and wellbeing. This was particularly evident during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Promoting student societies to help build a culture of student collaborative learning.