Dear Instructional Colleagues,
Happy new year! As we approach the start of the spring semester, I’m writing to provide some broad instructional updates and resources, particularly for those of you who are planning to teach this spring.
CTLM Support for Instructors
Find a collection of cross-campus resources aimed at helping instructors get ready for the start of spring classes on this Prepare to Teach webpage from the Center for Teaching, Learning and Mentoring. Resources include upcoming workshops, a handy pre-semester checklist, expert help with Canvas and assistance making course content more accessible.
Generative AI Resources, Updates
As the generative artificial intelligence (AI) space continues to evolve, so do our generative AI guidance and resources. The guidance is intended as a first step in helping instructors begin to address generative AI within the courses they teach. Find an overview of generative AI, related campus events and tools, recommended readings, example syllabi statements and guiding principles for instructors. New this year, Microsoft Copilot is now available at no cost to all UW–Madison employees as part of campus licensing. Log in with your NetID and password to protect university data. Please continue to check the webpages linked above for updates.
Syllabi Resources
Our campus syllabus webpage provides an overview of key syllabi components and related resources. Institutional-level statements that you may want to include in your course syllabi can also be found in Guide. The statements cover topics such as diversity, data transparency, academic integrity, privacy of student records and more.
Supporting Student Wellbeing, Providing Flexibility
Any number of things may impact students and their wellbeing throughout the semester, from short and long-term illness to campus emergencies and local and world events (to name just a few). Instructors are encouraged to provide flexibility regarding course activities, assignments and assessments, as needed and at their discretion. If you’re concerned about a student or notice an observable change in behavior, please first consider contacting the student directly to discuss their needs.
You may also consider contacting your department chair, supervisor or school/college academic dean’s office; consulting with the Dean of Students Office or completing a Student of Concern form; or referring the student to UHS Mental Health Services or a Let’s Talk drop-in session. In partnership with Uwill, UHS Mental Health Services has expanded access to virtual counseling for students at no cost – help us share with students via this PPT slide.
McBurney Disability Resource Center, Accommodations for Students
Explore the McBurney Center’s instructor resources including a newly released Instructor Guide to Student Accommodations, FAQs and the McBurney Connect Instructor Portal. These resources provide details about the disability accommodations process and the accompanying roles and responsibilities. Through the Instructor Portal, instructors can review a list of the students in their course(s) who have requested accommodations such as test accommodations or communication access accommodations (e.g., interpreter, CART, media captioning). Students are expected to communicate with their instructors to discuss the implementation of their accommodations, but instructors are welcome to reach out as well.
Religious and Election Day Observances Reminder
A reminder email was sent last week to all faculty and instructional academic staff with guidance about religious and election day observances including further explanation and examples on putting these policy requirements into practice in courses. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to review.
Planning for and Responding to Conflict and Disruption in the Classroom
Find guidance and policies to support you in your planning and response to conflict and disruptions in the classroom (in person and online) and other learning environments. View in Box.
Curriculum Resources from Center for Campus History
The Center for Campus History offers an array of resources for instructors including teaching guides that provide resources about historical moments of discrimination and resistance at UW–Madison. You can modify and adapt these guides to best fit the needs of your particular lesson plans, students and classrooms. You can also find these materials in Canvas.
Teaching and Learning Technologies
Review the latest Learn@UW suite of teaching and learning tools available to support you, your instruction and students. A series of remote training sessions will be offered this month, with a focus on Canvas.