What’s happening
Canvas – Emerging AI features
You may be hearing about new Canvas features released under the umbrella name IgniteAI. IgniteAI is a new Canvas feature line from Instructure that groups together AI‑driven functionality.
IgniteAI features are moving from the conceptual phase into the Feature Preview stage. Feature Previews are optional for us to enable in our Canvas environment but are still under active development by the vendor. Therefore, we do not immediately enable them. In addition, several IgniteAI features are being offered under a “free for now, pay later” model.
Learn@UW is working with Instructure to clarify which IgniteAI features are available at no cost, and which may require future licensing fees. In parallel, we are organizing internal testing to understand the usefulness, limitations, and implications of the features. We must also be mindful about requirements to subject AI features to additional security reviews, such as those around data privacy and cybersecurity, and plan accordingly if we are making features generally available.
As part of this effort, we’ll be coordinating with our UW–Madison instructional technology partners. Learn@UW will share more information as this work progresses.
HelioCampus AC – Assigning course evaluations
Departmental and school administrators for HelioCampus AC should begin mapping out their strategy for this semester’s course evaluations. Learn@UW recommends surveys be set and assigned by Friday, April 10. See below for upcoming training and Q&A sessions.
Engage – Order periods for SU26 and FA26
Since UW–Madison launched Engage in 2018, it has saved students millions of dollars on course materials. Instructors can now order Engage materials for summer and fall classes. See the dates for ordering Engage materials.
Honorlock – AI detection and blocking
If you’re getting asked a lot lately about AI tool detection during exams, you’re not alone. We thought it would be helpful to mention that Honorlock BrowserGuard and related security features are designed to block AI tools and extensions, chatbot websites, and unauthorized applications during online exams. Learn more about AI Extension Blocker and Honorlock ChatGPT Prevention features.
Upcoming events
HelioCampus AC – Training
It is time for HelioCampus AC departmental administrators to start thinking about their course surveys. The following training and Q&A sessions are now available to help set up your department (or school) for success.
Creating Survey Forms
- Thursday, March 5, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Scheduling Surveys & Assigning Sections
- Thursday, March 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
HelioCampus Q&A
- Monday, March 9, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, April 14, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Learn@UW Demystifies AI
This hour-long, fully remote session provides an overview of artificial intelligence for employees of UW–Madison. All faculty and staff are invited to attend any of the following sessions.
Registration is required, and enrollment for each session is capped at 100.
- Monday, March 9, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Full
- Tuesday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – New!
- Thursday, April 16, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Thursday, April 30, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – New!