Welcome to the Learning Design and Technologies getting started page for new non-credit instructors. This page is intended to give new non-credit instructors the opportunity to understand the process when getting started at UW and how they can proceed with course design and delivery best practices. Throughout this page, instructors are given context and a brief summary of major topics that are critical to know when getting started. Our InterPro website covers these topics in depth which we encourage instructors to explore. Some important topics instructors need to know when getting started include theories and principles, course planning, communication and engagement best practices, Zoom training, and oreientation.
Getting Started at UW
Obtaining NetID
Depending on an instructor's role, they may need a UW Madison NetID to access the learning management system, Canvas.
To obtain your Net ID, please visit the NetID login service.
MyUW
Some instructors may need to access the MyUW page to complete timesheets or access Canvas. We encourage instructors to communicate with their program director to understand what resources they need.
Orientation
New instructors will meet with the Learning Design & Technologies (LDT) team & program directors to learn more about the processes of working within InterPro and what to expect when collaborating on course design or other projects.
Working with Learning Design & Technologies (LDT)
Theories & Principles
There are many theories and principles we encourage instructors to incorporate into their teachings at UW. Collaborating with members from the LDT team, instructors will learn more about adult learning theory, active learning, backward design, and more. Using these theories and principles will help ensure a successful learning environment.
Course Planning
Instructors will work with LDT members during the course design phase. During this phase, instructors should expect to complete a 5 step process of planning, designing, developing, engaging, and evaluating. Members from the LDT team will assist throughout each step of this process.
Communication & Engagement
Communication & engagement is another very important area we encourage our instructors to be proficient in. Through announcements, asynchronous discussions and live web conferencing, its important to give students an engaging learning environment where they can effectively communicate and engage with their classmates and instructors.
Important Getting Started Information for Instructors
- Zoom Training
- Box Access (For Design for Online only)
- Canvas Access
- Educational Technology Tools
- Helpful Resources
- Engagement Activities
- Digital Badge Process
- Certificate Process
- UWEBC
Getting Started
- You (instructor) will need access to Zoom to host live web sessions for students off campus.
- Please review these Zoom resources
- You can also reach out to the learning design and technologies team for training at ldt@interpro.wisc.edu
Getting Started
- You (instructor) will need to access Box to upload your course materials. Once course materials are uploaded, a member of the LDT team you are working with will assist in embedding & structuring those materials into your Canvas course. An instructional designer will direct you to the appropriate Box folder if you are unable to locate.
- To access Box, visit:
- Once logged into Box, you will navigate to the course folder you have been given access. The folder structure in your Box course will be similar to the following list:
- Course planning and review
- Recorded presentations
- Core course files
- Quizzes
- Readings and resources
- Live web conference slides
- Archived course materials
- You may not necessarily use all of these folders listed above, it just depends on your course design.
Tips
- If you want to upload an updated version of work to Box such as a syllabus, you will need to upload as a new version so the same embed code can be used in the Canvas course. If you upload a completely different file it will not retain the same embed code and would have to be re-added to Canvas. For more information on this, visit Box support page.
- For recorded presentations, upload the video file(s) (.mp4, .mov, etc.) to the recorded presentations folder in Box. You will then contact the LDT member you have been working with to arrange for the video files to be converted to Kaltura files and then embedded in your Canvas course. It is important that the files be stored long-term in Kaltura to preserve storage in Box.
Getting Started
(Some NCPD instructors need access to Canvas. Confirm with PD if access is needed)
- Canvas is the learning management system used to facilitate learning with students. You (instructor) will need to access Canvas and work with an instructional designer to design and develop your modules.
- Modules are an organizational tool within Canvas that help instructors structure course content by day, week, unit, topic, or outcome. Modules help simplify student navigation through a course and ensure a sequential flow of content.
- To access Canvas, visit:
- Once logged into Canvas, you will be directed to your dashboard where you can see all of the courses assigned to you.
- If you are unfamiliar with Canvas, visit:
- Academic Technology Canvas
- This page consists of helpful information regarding Canvas. You can also find Canvas training that occurs every semester through this site as well.
Tips
- The navigation bar sometimes becomes hidden when accessing a Canvas course. To unhide the navigation bar, select the 3 lines in the top left corner of a Canvas course and the navigation bar will return.
Getting Started
- UW faculty and staff are given access to a variety of educational technology tools. For NCPD instructors, please review this document to confirm which tools are available. Please contact the learning design and technologies team with any questions.
Please view the resources below:
LDT – Course Build – Canvas Style Guide
InterPro – Instructor Welcome Message: Creating a Positive Presence in Your Online Course
InterPro – Teaching and Learning – Creating Rubrics and Scoring Guides