Teaching approaches

Teaching approaches

The way we teach can shape how students learn. Here at Newcastle, we are committed to creating an engaging, inclusive, and transformative learning environment. We aim to provide an educational experience that ensures our students are fit for their future and the world in which they will live and work.

To achieve this, we embrace various teaching approaches to suit different disciplines, learning objectives, and student needs. 

When choosing a programme-wide or module-wide teaching approach, or an approach you will use in a specific learning activity, consider:

• Which teaching approaches are usual in your discipline?
• Which will best support skills and knowledge outcomes?
• How do they align with your preferred assessment methods?

Active learning:

• encourage participation, as varied methods stimulate curiosity and motivation
• provide opportunities for students to engage with content in ways that best suit their preferences and strengths
• support critical thinking and creativity by hands-on, experiential, and collaborative methods. They allow students respond to real-world challenges, apply theoretical knowledge, and develop innovative solutions.
• promote inclusivity and make sure that diverse student cohorts feel supported and valued in their learning journey. This also aligns with our education strategy aim - equity - "To provide a core, universal offer for all students, including tailored provision where needed, to ensure equity of access, experience and in outcomes for all, regardless of background, identity, nationality, location or mode of study."

Each teaching approach we highlight—whether it’s experiential learning through field trips, practical exploration in laboratory settings, or problem-solving through design thinking—offers unique opportunities to enrich the learning experience. Explore the pages below for more guidance on highlighted teaching approaches.