Case studies in teaching
Here we share ideas that may be relevant to your practice.
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Teaching Tip: Use GPT Vision to analyse workshop notes in real time
Dr Guy Bate used GPT Vision to elevate brainstorming sessions in his Innovation in Practice course for the Graduate School of Management’s Master of Management programme.
Insights: Scaffolding academic writing through AI-powered formative feedback
Jet Tonogbanua uses an AI agent with his students to provide instant writing feedback, helping them to build confidence using AI (and in their own abilities), reflect on feedback, and take ownership of their writing.
Teaching Tip: Start the semester with a personal learning survey
Adapted from Chris McMillan’s sociology course, this low-effort strategy builds trust and connection in your classroom from day one—no tech required.
Teaching Tip: Boost engagement through interactive student poster sessions
Adapted from Christopher Squire’s biochemistry class, this hands-on group activity promotes creativity, discussion, and a fresh approach to engaging with course content.
Insights: Whanaungatanga as a foundation for engagement and inclusion
Senior Lecturer Ake Nicholas demonstrates how embedding relationship-building can enhance engagement, equity and inclusivity in whakatakoto reo (written Māori) courses.
Teaching Tip: ‘Hot seat’ to foster communication and confidence
Associate Professor Eileen Lueders' innovative activity boosts student engagement and eases anxiety.
Teaching Tip: Set your student teams up for success with a simple team charter
Amanda Di Ienno helps engineering students build stronger, more accountable teams early in their group work.
Teaching Tip: Use AI-generated videos for lab and equipment inductions
Blair Sowman boosted lab safety engagement by swapping lengthy documents for AI-generated videos with quizzes.
Teaching Tip: Integrate quizzes in videos
Blair Sowman boosted student engagement and retention by embedding interactive quizzes in instructional videos.
Teaching Tip: Add a post-test reflection quiz to improve study habits
Dr William Lee and Dr Jesin James encourage students to learn beyond the test by reflecting on their preparation and performance.
Teaching Tip: Use Gen-AI to deepen learning and spark creativity
Dr Courtney Ruha (School of Chemical Sciences) helps students connect chemistry to real life through creative, collaborative group projects using generative AI.
Insights: Relationship-building by integrating Māori epistemologies into Chinese language education
Associate Professor Danping Wang uses relationship-building to transform the way languages are taught.
Teaching Tip: Get students moving for active learning
Dr Judy Thomas shares how to get students moving and learning actively.
Teaching Tip: Bring theory to life with live lab demonstrations
Dr Andrew Hall takes students out of the lecture theatre and into the lab, using practical demonstrations to make complex concepts memorable and engaging.
Insights: Designing with AI – reimagining architectural education
Can Gen-AI tools enhance architectural students' design process and critical thinking skills? Read on to find out.
Teaching Tip: Reduce information overload at the start of your course
Dr Suzanne Reid brought her course syllabus to life through the addition of an interactive digital welcome map.
Teaching Tip: Humanise lecture videos to connect with students
These pointers from Dr Anthony Brand will help you make lecture videos more accessible and engaging.
Teaching Tip: Chunk lecture videos to improve engagement
Dr Anthony Brand shares his thoughts on how to organise your lecture recordings into bite-sized segments.
Teaching Tip: Break the class silence with student response tools
Dr Anthony Brand breaks the icy silence in his lectures through the use of low-stakes in-class response tools.
Teaching Tip: Foster a sense of community in large class settings
Dr Suzanne Reid suggests creating connections with students through personal expression.
Page updated 12/09/2025 (minor edit)