What’s happening?
Canvas – Spring course shells now available
Canvas course shells for the spring semester are now available. Instructors can access them from their Canvas dashboard and begin preparations for the new semester.
Canvas – Student access token changes
Effective November 14, UW–Madison students can no longer generate Canvas access tokens on their own. This change is necessary to better protect data in our instance of Canvas by reducing the number of third-party tools that access it. It also helps us encourage use of developer keys, the preferred application integration method over tokens. For more information, refer to this news article.
Atomic Assessments – Scheduled maintenance, Nov. 23
Atomic Assessments is conducting backstage maintenance early morning on November 23. It may be briefly unavailable during this time. For more information, refer to this news article.
DesignPLUS – Now available!
DesignPLUS is now available in our instance of Canvas. Course instructors and designers can use this tool to quickly enhance the look and feel of Canvas courses. For more information, refer to this news article.
HelioCampus AC – Course evals begin Nov. 26
Most HelioCampus AC course evaluations begin next Wednesday, November 26 (the day before Thanksgiving). They will remain open two weeks, closing on Wednesday, December 10.
Department or school administrators wishing to monitor survey completion rates may refer to this KnowledgeBase article.
LinkedIn Learning – New access method for employees
LinkedIn Learning is now integrated with Workday. This means all UW–Madison employees will access LinkedIn Learning through Workday. Employees need to take action before December 1, 2025, to keep all learning history from the current instance of LinkedIn Learning. To preserve your learning history, follow the instructions provided in this news article. Students will continue to have access to the current instance of LinkedIn Learning outside of Workday.
Engage – Spring ordering period closing soon
The Engage ordering period for spring 2026 is open for 10 more days, closing Monday, December 1.
To explore the tool and how it works, refer to Learn@UW’s extensive library of Engage KnowledgeBase articles.
To review what resources (i.e. textbooks) are available in digital form, open the Engage order tool and browse the catalogs.
Data@UW – Training to keep our data safe
DAPIR (Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research) is UW–Madison’s primary actor regarding data governance. To that end, they have developed an informative 30-minute, self-paced training module, UWMSN Data@UW – Data Governance and Responsible Use. Its primary purpose is to provide clarity and direction for employees who work with university data.
If you use Learn@UW tools, this training will be of benefit to you. Enrollment is open for all UW–Madison employees.
Learn@UW – Support closed November 28
Learn@UW will not be providing support services on Friday, November 28, the day after Thanksgiving. The DoIT Help Desk will be open, with limited support during limited hours. Learn@UW will resume regular coverage on Monday, December 1.
Learn@UW – Upcoming important dates
It’s hard to believe but we are rapidly approaching the end of the semester. As a reminder, here are dates to keep in mind.
- November 26 – HelioCampus AC course evaluations begin
- December 10 – HelioCampus AC course evaluations end
- December 10 – Last day of instruction
- December 21 – Grading ends
- December 24 – Extended grading period ends
- December 25 – Course evaluation results available to instructors
Upcoming events
Mid-semester Canvas training
Using Canvas to Prepare for Next Semester
Instructors looking to begin developing their spring-semester courses may wish to attend this one-hour session. We will address several course-development strategies and best practices that will save time and produce a deliver a more effective final product.
Faculty Center Grade Prep Tool
This 30-minute session provides a comprehensive overview and demonstration of a nice time-saving tool that will facilitate your transfer of grades from Canvas into the Faculty Center.
- Thu, December 4, 11 am to 11:30 am
- Fri, December 5, 11:30 am to noon
- Mon, December 8, 11 am to 11:30 am
- Thu, December 11, 2 pm to 2:30 pm
- Wed, December 17, 11:30 am to noon
Learn@UW Training Blitz – January 2026
Learn@UW is proud to offer the following 14 sessions of training and support during the week before the start of spring semester, January 12 through 16. All are welcome: come to what you can, stay as long as you like. No registration necessary.