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.
This year, the start of spring classes coincides with the beginning of another new presidential administration. Presidential transitions can tend to focus greater attention on political and policy matters. In that context, I want to remind you of the following new and updated resources from last fall.
For both instructors and students, the following resources (and more) are available on the Free Expression at UW–Madison webpage:
This updated guide can help instructors anticipate and respond to a range of challenges that may arise during class. It also offers techniques for facilitating respectful discussions across different points of view.
Campus Updates
Federal Digital Accessibility Rule
As some of you may already be aware, last spring, the US Justice Department released a new digital accessibility rule for the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires digital resources used in university programs, services or activities to comply with the rule starting April 24, 2026. This includes instructional content such as websites, videos, electronic documents (such as PDFs), Canvas courses and apps (such Course Search and Enroll). Campus leadership created and charged a Digital Accessibility University Coordination Committee (DAUCC) to identify barriers and resources needed to comply with the new rule, and the committee submitted a final report at the end of 2024. More information will be shared in the coming months.
Teaching Resources
- Center for Teaching Learning & Mentoring – Visit CTLM’s Prepare to Teach page for pre-semester events and resources to help you refine your syllabus, consider uses of generative AI in teaching, and more. You’ll find info from units across campus including the Center for Campus History, the Teaching Academy, and more.
- 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. If you are interested in using generative AI in your courses, please use an AI tool supported by UW-Madison.
- Libraries – Get customized Libraries support for you and your students including resources to help students develop critical research skills, find and evaluate quality sources and avoid plagiarism.
Resources for Supporting Students
- Student Wellbeing – Concerned about a student in a course you teach? First consider reaching out to discuss their needs and offer flexibility, if possible. You can also contact your department chair, supervisor or school/college academic dean’s office; the Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (formerly the Dean of Students Office); and/or refer the student to University Health Services.
- Disability Accommodations – Explore resources for instructors from the McBurney Disability Resource Center. New to the McBurney Connect Instructor Portal is a Limited Flexibility Plans Module to help instructors set reasonable parameters for flexibility accommodations.
Reminders
- Syllabus Resources – Review the campus course syllabi webpage for an overview of key syllabus components and related resources.
- Religious and Election Day Observances – Please review campus guidance about religious and election day observances. Explanation and examples on putting these policy requirements into practice are linked in the guidance.
- Teaching and Learning Data Use – UW–Madison is committed to the ethical and responsible use of data to support and advance student learning. Review the university’s Teaching and Learning Transparency Statement and learn more about our commitments and ongoing work.