Pre-semester Teaching Toolkit

Resources and events to get ready for the fall semester

Pre-semester Checklist

The 7 steps in the Instructor Pre-semester Checklist will help you get organized and ready to welcome your students. To save you time, each step links to campus resources.

Syllabus Guide and Template

Visit UW-Madison Syllabus Requirements & Resources for everything you need to create or update your syllabus.

Help with Canvas (and More)

DoIT’s Learn@UW team offers online workshops to assist you. Newer tools include Gradescope and Canvas New Quizzes.

Helpful Guides

Accessibility and accommodations

Use Grackle to create accessible Google docs, slides and sheets (and see more tips for course material accessibility).
Consult the instructor resources from the McBurney Disability Resource Center.

Teaching Assistant Guide

For both new and returning TAs, this guide covers essential trainings, professional development, and more.

Generative AI in teaching & learning

Check out campus guiding principles, sample AI syllabus statements, and more.

Navigating Classroom Dynamics & Disruptions

This guide – and the companion event on August 22 – will help you consider strategies for responding to a variety of situations.

Providing Flexibility to Students During Times of Disruption

This includes practical tips for anticipating and responding to student requests for flexibility during unexpected life events.

Resource for Instructors Working with TAs

Read best practices, key considerations, and practical resources for working effectively and efficiently with teaching assistants.

Communicating Across the Curriculum: Resources for High-Impact Teaching with Writing at UW-Madison

This sourcebook from Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) offers instructional materials for teaching with writing in disciplines across the curriculum, including examples from UW-Madison instructors.