Welcome back! This page is designed to guide you through key steps to prepare for the upcoming semester. Begin by confirming your instructor status and ensuring all essential services, like Zoom and Outlook, are active. You’ll then collaborate with the Learning Design and Technologies (LDT) team for course preparation and quality review. Remember to update materials in Box for seamless syncing with Canvas, review the InterPro online course pre-flight checklist, and finalize any other course details before your course starts. By following these steps, you’ll be fully prepared for a successful semester.
Six Key Reminders for Returning Instructors
Confirm Instructor Status
Please confirm with your program director that you will be instructing the course for the upcoming semester. This confirmation will include your preferred web conference times, any significant changes to course materials, and any questions. This allows you to avoid delays and ensures you can begin preparing your course materials as soon as possible, depending on your hiring status.
This will help you follow the course preparation timeline recommended by LDT and have everything in place before the semester begins.
Update Materials In Box
Ensure all materials in Box are up-to-date to automatically sync with your Canvas course. If your course runs consecutive semesters please ensure you do not overwrite current semester details until the current course is finished. Double-check the following:
- Syllabus: Make sure any updates to course objectives, readings, or assignments are accurately reflected.
- Assignments & Assessments: Modify existing assessments or create new ones that align with your updated course goals, ensuring they are clearly communicated to students.
Activate Missing Services
Before the semester begins, confirm that all essential services are set up and fully functional. These services may include Zoom, Office 365, Box, G Suite, WiscVPN, Wireless UWNet and others.
Important!
- Zoom: Ensure your Zoom account is active, and that your weekly sessions are correctly scheduled in Canvas once you gain access. Please log-in to Zoom with your UW credentials after activating your services. https://uwmadison.zoom.us/
- Outlook: Verify that your Outlook account is fully set up.
Contact LDT if you have any issues accessing your services.
Review Online Checklist
Please take the time to review the InterPro teaching resources for Instructors, online course pre-flight checklist in preparation for the start of your course. This checklist will guide you through essential steps like entering textbook information, ensuring course materials are updated, and confirming that all necessary tools and services (like Zoom) are set up.
Completing this review before course launch is crucial to ensure everything runs smoothly and that students have access to a well-prepared and fully functional course environment from the start.
Confirm Details with LDT
You will hear from a member of the Learning Design and Technologies (LDT) team before the semester begins. They will help guide you through course preparations, ensuring that everything is in place for a smooth start. Be sure to confirm key information with them, such as course setup, content updates, and any technical needs for the semester. Working with LDT is important to ensure all instructional materials and tools are functioning correctly and accessible to students. Please also review the LDT services page.
See more information below about LDT's process and example timelines.
Confirm Canvas Updates
Ensure that all recommended changes, such as content updates, alignment of learning objectives, and assessment modifications, are properly reflected in your course. Review each module to confirm that the materials align with the intended learning outcomes and that any updates to readings, assignments, or assessments are clearly communicated to students.
Also, double-check the accuracy and functionality of linked resources or tools, like videos or external websites, to ensure everything is ready and operational before the course goes live for students. LDT will also check this through a quality review process.
Working with Learning Design and Technologies (LDT)
The Learning Design and Technologies (LDT) team is here to support you. A member of the team (typically an instructional designer) will email you to schedule a meeting to discuss and confirm the following:
- New or existing courses
- Process for pre-recording lectures (if applicable)
- Review feedback from end-of-course student survey from the last course offering
- Adjust course materials based on student feedback, evolving industry standards, or changes in course objectives
- Activate missing services
- Propose course preparation/development timeline
- Submitting final grades. All final grades must be submitted to the UW Madison Registrar by the set grading deadline. Ensure that grades are entered accurately and on time through the Faculty Center. Late submissions may delay the processing of student records
Here’s an example of a proposed Fall course timeline for an existing course that you might receive via email or during a reflect and plan meeting:
- Confirm course duration: October 21, 2024 – December 11, 2024 (LDT)
- Confirm Zoom times and Canvas links: Mondays, 7-8 pm CT (Instructor)
- Import materials from previous
offering: In Progress/Completed (LDT) - Adjust Canvas dates: In Progress/Completed (LDT or
Instructor) - Adjust course documents (syllabus, assignments, etc.) linked via Box: Complete by October 14th or earlier (Instructor)
- Submit course for quality review: October 14th or earlier (LDT)
- Publish course: One business day before the official start date. By October 18th, 2024 (LDT or instructor)