Transforming education through tech at University of Greenwich
University of Greenwich’s teaching philosophy is built around consistency and strategy. "We focus on making decisions that enhance the student experience," says Dave Puplett, Associate Director of Libraries and Academic Enhancement. This includes adopting a unified approach to digital tools like Mentimeter, which became a university-wide standard in 2017.This philosophy and dedication to an outstanding student experience has earned the University of Greenwich a Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework, placing it in the top tier of UK universities. "It’s about more than just teaching well," Dave explains. "It’s about crafting an experience where students are excited to learn and can see their growth in real-time."
A solution for a modern student body
University of Greenwich's diverse student body often includes those who may hesitate to speak up in classroom settings. By providing a simple way for students to answer questions, vote, or brainstorm ideas, Mentimeter has helped bridge cultural and confidence gaps, fostering inclusivity across the university’s four faculties.
"Many students are shy or come from backgrounds where they’re not encouraged to voice their opinions. Mentimeter levels the playing field. It’s anonymous, so students feel safe to contribute without fear of judgment."
- Gerhard Kristandl, Associate Professor
Competitive quizzes that inspire students to learn
One of the most celebrated uses of Mentimeter comes from Gerhard Kristandl, Associate Professor in Accounting. Known for his "Pub Quiz League," Gerhard uses Mentimeter’s quizzes to introduce a sense of friendly competition and stimulate learning.
"Students love seeing their names climb the quiz leaderboard. It’s not just about fun; it motivates them to learn. They study harder because they want to do better in the quizzes, and it brings life into the room."
- Gerhard Kristandl, Associate Professor
Gerhard monitors student feedback and the sentiment around Mentimeter through module surveys throughout the course. "Students frequently mention Mentimeter quizzes in module evaluations," he says. "They appreciate the interactive nature of the sessions and highlight how much more engaging the lectures feel."
Whenever we’ve had an internal uncertainty around settings or policies, Mentimeter has been quick to help us find solutions.
Supporting staff to adopt and use EdTech tools
The University of Greenwich serves around 40,000 students and 3,000 staff members worldwide. Jimmy Lo, University Learning Technologist, and The Libraries and Academic Enhancement team help the staff learn how to use Mentimeter in the best way.
"Mentimeter is one of the most widely used learning technologies at the University of Greenwich. No matter what or how you teach, there's always something you can make use of. What I really appreciate is how intuitive Mentimeter is - it's straightforward and easy to use. Mentimeter just makes it easy."
- Jimmy Lo, University Learning Technologist
The university support pages and systems host step-by-step resources to get started as well as links to training sessions held by the university itself or the Mentimeter team. As the Mentimeter lead since 2021, Gerhard runs initiatives like the "Mentimeter Digest", a series of tips that educate the staff on Mentimeter’s newest features in the context of the use case at the University of Greenwich.For those hesitant to try Mentimeter for the first time, Gerhard suggests the following:
Explore the tool:
Take time to explore all the question types and slide options Mentimeter offers. This helps you understand the kinds of questions you can ask and how you might present them.
Ask for student feedback:
Use Mentimeter in your sessions, identify a few students who are more engaged and likely to give feedback, and ask them how they felt about using Mentimeter. Tailor your approach based on their preferences and engagement levels.
Observe a colleague:
If you’re unsure where to start, shadow another Mentimeter user during their class.
"Seeing Mentimeter in action in a real classroom can help you understand how to use it effectively,"
Gerhard advises.
Navigating challenges: the balance of anonymity
While the anonymity in Mentimeter allows students to share honest input without fear of judgment, it can also present challenges. The University of Greenwich has experienced some instances of misuse, such as inappropriate comments being submitted in open-ended questions. "For some members of staff, this affected their confidence in using the tool," Dave explained.The University of Greenwich collaborated with Mentimeter to address the issue head-on. Very quickly both sides created an action list, including items like profanity filters, providing more extensive training to staff, and offering guidance on using the right question types to reduce misuse. Dave notes, "Whenever we’ve had an internal uncertainty around settings or policies, Mentimeter has been quick to help us find solutions."From Mentimeter’s perspective, such transparent and open collaboration with our customers is invaluable. These partnerships help shape the future of the product, making sure it evolves to meet real-world needs. By fostering trust and maintaining an ongoing dialogue, University of Greenwich and Mentimeter have together strengthened the university’s ability to engage students while upholding a safe and inclusive learning environment.
The future of education and EdTech
The University of Greenwich continues to set an example for how technology can transform education. They are rethinking traditional assessment methods, focusing on evaluating the process of learning rather than just the final outcome, as well as embracing the responsible use of AI.
"We’re cautious about introducing AI applications that aren’t managed ethically or lack transparency. But with Mentimeter, it was an easy decision. The transparency and thoughtful implementation made it something we could confidently embrace."
- Dave Puplett, Associate Director of Libraries and Academic Enhancement
By fostering collaboration, prioritizing student experience, and embracing tools like Mentimeter, University of Greenwich has created an environment where teaching and learning thrive and will continue to do so.
"When students talk about their classes, they highlight how interactive and enjoyable they are. And for the staff, Mentimeter is a game changer - it is easy to set up, so it’s not just for early adopters or tech enthusiasts anymore; everyone is using it."
- Dave Puplett, Associate Director of Libraries and Academic Enhancement