Embedding Sustainable Development through interdisciplinary problem-based learning

Dr Amy Proctor and Michelle Black reflect on how they embedded interdisciplinary problem-based learning into the design of a new module in SNES to help students explore sustainability challenges, develop a broad understanding of the SDGs and develop collaborative experiences and essential skills for future careers.

Boosting digital literacy through phonetics learning

Dr Cong Zhang, Lecturer in Phonetics and Phonology in ECLS, discusses embedding authentic, engaging, and practical digital literacy skills into phonetics learning through interactive tools, online assessments, and creative multimedia projects.

CHEMmunicate: an ice breaking game to boost communication and community

Dr Cristina Navarro Reguero and Dr Matthew Hopkinson designed CHEMmunicate, a fun team game where students draw chemical structures by asking yes/no questions—boosting communication skills and reinforcing organic chemistry knowledge.

Using Applied Pedagogy to Deliver Social Value, on a Management Consultancy module

Jo Clark (NUBS) describes working with MBA students to deliver a consultancy project, using the social value model, adding authenticity and contemporary relevance to academic theory, testing students’ skills as business consultants, and delivering value to a client organisation.

Space Investigators: a cross-university astronomy exhibition co-developed by students and staff

In this case study Dr Vicky Fawcett, Research Associate in Astrophysics, describes how Newcastle, Durham and Northumbria Universities collaborated to design a hugely successful astronomy exhibition at the Great North Museum, with the aim of getting more children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as their families and the wider local community, interested in STEM subjects.

Examining Different Learners’ Development of Critical Learning Skills in Postgraduate Taught Programmes: A Comparative Study in Accounting and Finance and in Applied Linguistics and TESOL

Lana Liu, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance in NUBS and Mei Lin, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistic in ECLS describe how they developed a critical learning skills (CLS) framework, which identifies critical moments in students’ learning journey and pedagogical strategies focusing on knowledge application and critical evaluations and helps inform critical thinking (CT) in curriculum design.

Engaging Students in the Co-creation of Session Content: A Global Human Resource Management Example

Dr Angela Mazzetti, Senior Lecturer in Management Practice in NUBS explored how the transferability of human resource management concepts to a wider global context could be enhanced through involving international students in the co-creation of session content, enabling the concept of ‘the quality of working life’ to be explored from a diversity of global perspectives, encouraging students to reflect on how these insights might impact their future practice as people professionals.

The Magic of Scratch Cards for Immediate Feedback

Benjamin Bader, Senior Lecturer in International Human Resource Management in NUBS, combined the critical tenets of active learning and formative assessment by incorporating the active learning method of Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IFAT) scratch cards into the BUS3021 module, moving students away from the passive intake of information to a more engaged, dynamic learning process where they could apply their understanding to solve problems, think critically, while making learning enjoyable and stimulating.

Get Sust! Working in partnership with students to co-develop a board game for raising student awareness of sustainable development

Tracy Scurry, Professor of Work and Employment and Sarah Carnegie, Senior Lecturer in HRM from Newcastle University Business School, discuss the Get Sust! project, working in partnership with students to develop a game-based learning approach to engage Business School students with sustainable development, to facilitate a social and developmental learning experience, and support the personal development of students by enhancing their teamworking skills and global and cultural awareness.