Category Archives: For Instructors

Canvas Update (Spring 2023)

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On Saturday April 15, Instructure deployed the latest release to the Canvas environment, and the final one before Summer 2023. The highlights of this release are listed below. The full release notes are also available.

  • Gradebook – Submit Assignment on Behalf of Student: instructors can submit a file upload assignment on behalf of a student in the Gradebook. The submission includes the timestamp and who submitted the assignment. Additionally, the instructor can submit multiple files at a time for a single student and submit beyond the availability date.
  • Gradebook – Sort Assignments by Excused Submissions and Unposted Grades: In the Gradebook, instructors can sort individual assignment columns and rows by excused submissions and unposted grades.
  • Equation Editor – Equilibrium Button: In the Rich Content Editor Equation Editor, an Equilibrium button is available.
  • Pages – Schedule Page Publication:  When editing an unpublished Page, instructors can set a publication date. Scheduled pages remain invisible to students until the publish date and time.

      New Quizzes Improvements: While New Quizzes has been available for several years now, many instructors still opt to use Classic Quizzes. Multiple updates have been made to improve New Quizzes, which will not be made in Classic.

      • New Quizzes – Allow Clearing of Multiple Choice Question Answers: In the New Quizzes settings, instructors can enable Allow Clearing Selection (Multiple Choice) allowing students to clear multiple choice answers.
      • New Quizzes – Fill in the Blank with Multiple Word Bank Improvements: In New Quizzes, when building a Fill in the Blank question with multiple word bank choices, distractor words display in a separate section for instructors. Also, word choices can be used more than once when Allow Word Bank Choices to be Reused is selected and duplicate answer choices are graded correctly. Additionally, for students, Fill in the Blank questions with multiple word banks display all word bank choices in the answer blank drop-down menu.
      • New Quizzes – Grade by Question in SpeedGrader: SpeedGrader supports grading one question at a time in New Quizzes. When in Grade by Question mode the question navigation bar is available and the Update score button location has been updated. Additionally, hyperlinks have been added to questions requiring manual grading
      • New Quizzes – Share Item Bank to Current Course Checkbox: When creating a new item bank in the New Quizzes Build page, instructors can share the bank to the current course. This change reduces extra steps to share an Item Bank and improves instructor workflows when building New Quizzes.

      If you have any questions or concerns about the service pack updates, or even just curious about how they can help you, please contact UW-W Canvas Support.

      Announcing the 2023 Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Honorarium Finalists!

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      UW-Whitewater photo/Nick Pook

      The LTC has the pleasure of announcing the finalists for the 2023 Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium. This prestigious award recognizes excellence in the use of technology in the classroom to enhance teaching and learning.

      After a rigorous review of numerous outstanding applications, the following individuals have been selected as finalists:

      • Mr. Brian Schanen, Lecturer of Communication
      • Dr. Courtney Powers, Assistant Professor of Communication
      • Dr. Jeannine Rowe, Professor of Social Work 
      • Ms. Linda Amann, Lecturer of Information Technology and Supply Chain Management
      • Ms. Lori Trimble,  Lecturer of Biology and Chemistry

      These finalists have demonstrated exceptional use of technology in their teaching, showing a dedication to innovation and creativity in the classroom. Their commitment to leveraging technology to improve student engagement, learning outcomes, and overall teaching effectiveness is truly commendable.

      The winner will be announced at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference on May 17th, 2023. The conference will feature a range of expert presentations by fellow educators –  this is an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest trends and best practices in using technology to enhance teaching and learning within the UW-Whitewater community. 

      Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn and grow with us! Register now for the Teaching with Technology Conference! We hope to see you there!

      Rescheduled! Incorporating AI Into Assessments Workshop

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      As campus and some of the city of Whitewater has no power, we are regrettably rescheduling our Incorporating AI into Assessments Workshop, originally planned for today, April 19th at 3:30pm. 


      We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We have rescheduled the workshop for Monday, April 24th at 3:30pm in McGraw 19A or Webex. If you have already registered, the Webex link will remain the same. If you weren’t able to attend, now is your chance – register here! As before, the workshop will be recorded for those unable to attend. 


      Thank you for your understanding – we hope you are able to join us for the rescheduled workshop. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact us at ltc@uww.edu.

      Technology Resources Survey: We want to hear from you!

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      Help us better understand campus technology needs and develop resources to support your work by completing the 2023 Technology Resource Survey. This brief questionnaire should take no more than 10 minutes and is open to all current UWW employees.

      To show our appreciation for your time, you’ll have the opportunity at the conclusion of the survey to enter a drawing for several prizes, including a Technology Surplus Sale Early Access Pass*, an iPad, and gift card!

      All responses will remain anonymous; we appreciate your candor. We suggest you complete the survey with a computer to make text responses easier.

      The deadline to complete the survey is May 1 at 11:59 pm. *To enter to win a Technology Surplus Early Access Pass, the survey must be completed by 4/16 at 11:59 pm; recipients of Early Access Passes will be notified on 4/17 on how to pick up their pass.

      Thank you for your participation in this survey! If you run into any technical issues or have trouble completing the survey, please e-mail ltc@uww.edu.

      Additional AI Learning Opportunities!

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      Artificial Intelligence tools continue to generate exciting — and nervous — discussion. Both the UW System and UWW are offering opportunities to explore and share experiences with AI.

      Pexels Image by Hatice Baran

      Incorporating AI Into Assessments – UWW Interactive Workshop
      April 19th, 2023 – 3:30 to 4:30pm April 24th, 2024 – 3:30 to 4:30 pm – McGraw Hall 19A or Webex

      Are you curious about how AI can save you time and improve your work?  The Learning Technology Center (LTC) is excited to host a workshop on how AI can revolutionize the work of designing assignments for instructors across all disciplines.

      In this interactive workshop, LTC experts will:

      • Demonstrate specific use cases for using AI to generate ideas for assessments
      • Discuss strategies on how to implement these ideas directly into your assignments 
      • Provide hands-on exercises for participants to practice their new AI skills
      • Field live examples from participants to showcase the power of AI

      Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain valuable insights! Register now!

      AI Panel Discussions – UW System Learning Technology Development Council (LTDC)
      April 18th, 2023 – 10:15 to 11am and 11:15am to 12pm – Zoom

      The public debut of AI spawned a lightning reaction across educational technology; some are integrating AI driven chatbots into multiple applications, while others focused on academic integrity are rushing to install detection services. Where does this leave students, instructors and administrators? Is AI an industry changing tool threatening to change higher education forever? Or simply “spicy auto-complete”?

      To discuss these and other questions, the LTDC has put together two panels of experts from across the UW System. Tune into to one or both sessions via Zoom. To participate, you will need to self-register in the LTDC Canvas Course. The Zoom links to each meeting are available in the course.

      10:15 to 11:00 am – Student Panel

      Listen and interact with a panel of students to explore how they are already using AI! The discussion will delve into how students are applying AI to daily life, including the benefits and concerns they have regarding usage.

      11:15 am to 12 pm – Instructor Panel

      Consult with a panel of instructors to explore how they are already using AI and ChatGPT!  Ask questions related to their concerns, academic integrity, or changes to fundamental subjects. What does the future of digital literacy and artificial intelligence look like? What can we learn from those who have already recognized ways to save time and improve student outcomes? 

      Summer 2023 Online and Blended Teaching Institute – Call for Applicants!

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      The UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center (LTC) is pleased to announce registration is open for the Online and Blended Teaching Institute (OBTI) for Summer 2023.

      Summer allows the opportunity to pursue the online blended teaching institute from a hybrid modality! This could include working outside from a park.
      pixabay photo by  BLACK17BG

      OBTI aligns quality Canvas course design with best practices for teaching in a variety of modalities. Upon completion of OBTI, faculty and instructors will be well-prepared to design and develop their own courses and leave with tips to continue the iterative process for future terms. This course is most useful for people teaching online in the Winterim or Spring.

      The Summer 2023 OBTI will be conducted as a hybrid experience with full LTC support and contact. This allows for two sessions of in-person instruction followed by optional Canvas labs. The remaining three sessions will be online (via Webex) workshops.

      This session is designed as a cohort model, allowing participants to learn the best practices and view Canvas courses from other Whitewater faculty and instructors. Participants will complete a series of short online assignments, be provided a sandbox to design content, and develop objectives and activities to serve as an exemplar module that can be taken with them for their actual courses!

      For more information or to enroll in this exciting training, contact Ted Witt.

      Schedule of Activities  

      DateTimeLocationTopic
      Monday, July 10th10am – 12pmIn-Person on Whitewater CampusOBTI Workshop
      Monday, July 10th1pm – 3pmIn-Person on Whitewater CampusOptional Canvas Lab
      “Building Pages”
      Wednesday, July 12th10am – 12pmIn-Person on Whitewater CampusOBTI Workshop
      Monday, July 17th10-am – 12pmWebexOnline Workshop
      Wednesday, July 19th10am – 12pmWebexOnline Student Panel
      Wednesday, July 19th1pm – 3pmWebexOptional Canvas Lab
      “What Students Want”
      Monday, July 24th10am – 12pmWebexCohort Peer Sharing Session 

      Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium – Deadline Extended!

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      There is still time! We have extended the deadline for the Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium to April 10, 2023.

      Submit Your Application Now!

      The Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium recognizes an instructor who displays an outstanding commitment to leveraging learning technologies to solve common teaching challenges. Full award details and application requirements available here.

      For additional information, please contact The Learning Technology Center.

      Deadline Extended for 2023 CTL Conference Presentation Proposals!

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      There is still time! We have extended the deadline for the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference Call for Proposals to April 10, 2023.

      Submit Your Proposal Now!

      We invite submissions from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater staff and faculty to share their innovations, scholarly teaching results, or the variety of ways we are all transforming the lives of our students through teaching and learning. The Conference will be held Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 in the University Center on the UW-Whitewater Main Campus. It is sponsored by the LEARN Center, Learning Technology Center, and Office of Academic Assessment.

      • Academic technology, connections and challenges
      • Assessment and program evaluation
      • Innovative student services and experiences 
      • Online program development
      • Project-based and community-based learning opportunities
      • Strategic enrollment and program development
      • Something else!

      Concurrent presentation sessions will last 45 minutes. You are welcome to structure time to fit your presentation. Remember Q&A! A typical session consists of approximately 35 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions and answers.For additional information, please contact The Learning Technology Center.

      VBrick Rev (Streaming.uww.edu) Video Cleanup

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      VBrick Rev (streaming.uww.edu) videos that were created prior to January 1st, 2021 AND have not been viewed since January 1st, 2021 will be deleted beginning April 24th, 2023.  Please review the videos associated with your account using the link below.  If you are still using this video, simply review it by using the “Review Video” button and mark it as “keep”.

      https://www.uww.edu/apps/ltc/rev-cleanup

      This is a routine process that we run to proactively cleanup unused videos. If you have any questions, please contact the Learning Technology Center.

      2023 Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Honorarium – Applications Are Open!

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      The Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium recognizes an instructor who displays an outstanding commitment to leveraging learning technologies to solve common teaching challenges. Applications due April 3rd April 10th!

      About the Award

      The Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator recognizes an instructor who displays an outstanding commitment to leveraging learning technologies to create rich learning experiences, thereby increasing student success.

      Eligibility and Expectations

      To be eligible for this award, the applicant must:

      • Be an instructor at UW-Whitewater
      • Taught at least six (6) credits in the past year 

      Finalists will receive a $250 honorarium and agree to present an interactive session at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference (May 17, 2023), where they will also be recognized.

      The individual selected as the 2023 Teaching with Technology Innovator will receive a $1000 honorarium (instead of the $250 for finalists) and agrees to the following:

      • Have their name and picture highlighted in a Learning Technology Center blog post and in the ConnectIT newsletter;
      • Have their name and photograph displayed in the Learning Technology Center;
      • Partner with the Learning Technology Center to highlight their work during the Fall 2023 and/or Spring 2024 semester

      Please note: this honorarium counts toward the 20% base salary overload maximum.

      Deadline and Submission Instructions

      Interested candidates must submit their materials using Qualtrics (https://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6mvojPwNpMviRlI) by April 3, 2023. extended to April 10th, 2023! Finalists will be notified no later than April 11th, and the winner will be revealed at the conference in May.

      Application Materials 

      Application packages must include a:

      • Personal reflection (1-2 pages) that includes the applicant’s teaching philosophy and the role technology plays in it, specifically discussing how they have demonstrated the innovative and effective use of learning technologies to create rich learning experiences for students that work to increase retention and success
      • Portfolio of 3-5 items that serve as evidence of their teaching philosophy and the role technology plays in it, as well as ways their use of technology contributes to student learning and success. Possible items include, but are not limited to:
        • Letters of support from students, colleagues, or leadership.
        • Course evaluation data. 
        • Evidence of student impact (e.g., grades, learning, etc.) after trying a technology intervention. 
        • Examples of how the instructor contributes to their college, campus community, and beyond related to teaching and learning with technology.

      Note: If materials are missing, an individual’s application for this award may not be reviewed.

      Selection Process

      Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of LTC Staff and members of the LTC Advisory Group.  Notifications of the selected finalists will be made by April 11, 2023.  Finalists will be expected to submit a description of an interactive, synchronous session to be presented at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference in the University Center on the Whitewater Campus on May 17th, 2023.

      About the Sponsors 

      This award is sponsored by Presidio and Cisco Systems in conjunction with UWW’s Division of Instructional, Communication, and Information Technology (ICIT) and the LTC. Presidio and Cisco are proud of their work with institutions of higher education to inspire learning and connect campuses to enhance student outcomes. ICIT and the LTC are dedicated to working with instructors to understand teaching challenges, explore solutions, implement strategies, and evaluate their effectiveness.

      Questions? If you have questions, please reach out to the Learning Technology Center.