Center for Advancing Student Learning (CASL)

After more than two decades of dedicated service to UW–Milwaukee and a remarkable forty-year career in higher education, CASL's very own, Connie Schroeder will be retiring in May.

We invite all faculty, staff, and students that have known or worked with Connie to join CASL for a celebratory Open House Retirement Party on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in Engelmann Hall B73 from 12:00–2:00 p.m. Regardless of whether you are able to join us, please take a moment to share words of appreciation for Connie's impact on teaching and learning.

We invite interested instructors to pilot test a beta version of a new syllabus checker tool, created by Dave Clark. Developed in response to faculty requests, the tool provides streamlined feedback on required syllabus elements, supports more student-friendly language, and provides guidance to improve digital accessibility. It also includes an option to store a final syllabus in a repository.

As this is a beta tool, we welcome participant feedback to help improve its usefulness. Please also note, that use of the tool currently involves sharing content with OpenAI. 

We invite you to use the Syllabus Checker tool and provide feedback.

Teaching an approved General Education course in the Fall? Join us for a make-up session to participate in a collaborative assignment charrette, where faculty exchange peer feedback on refining course assignments to enhance clarity, alignment, and student learning. Both an in-person and virtual option are available. Due to most of the time being spent in group work, this session will not be recorded.

Note: Faculty who attended the April workshops do not need to attend; this session is for those who were unable to participate due to scheduling conflicts.

Gen Ed Charrette Make-Up Session | Thursday May 14, 2026, 9-10:30am

Student potential misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a prevalent concern for many instructors. The resource, Identifying Potential Indicators of Student AI Use in Canvas, is intended to direct instructors to available data in Canvas and frame insights in terms of patterns and anomalies that may warrant additional attention should concerns about student AI misuse arise. 

Review this resource for steps on how to import a templated module containing Summer 2026 UW-Milwaukee Student Resources and Policies from Canvas Commons. This module is automatically populated in certain courses based on a phased rollout to schools and colleges. These directions are intended for instructors teaching courses not yet included in the automated deployment of the common module. Review the planned roll out of the syllabus module.

UWM is reviewing Vevox usage in Canvas to better understand instructional needs and plan for future usage. This short survey of Vevox use is intended for instructors who are currently using, or have recently used, Vevox in their courses. Your responses will help us understand the pedagogical value of the tool and to design and develop future workshop opportunities with Vevox. 

As Scantron support winds down, this 60-minute Lunch and Learn will help instructors transition by highlighting alternative tools, Canvas Quizzes, and strategies for adapting exams in the age of generative AI, with time for questions and discussion. Register for Tuesday, May 12, 12 – 1 p.m.

While off-the-shelf AI like ChatGPT are popular, many instructors worry about data privacy and generic "one-size-fits-all" limitations. In this session, Joseph Retzer will demonstrate how he created a secure, custom AI assistant that runs entirely offline to keep sensitive student and research data private. Join the session to explore ways to build specialized AI tools. Register for Wednesday, May 6, 9 – 10 a.m.

It is the time of year again when our friends at OAIR launch end of semester course evaluations with Explorance Blue. Questions on course evaluations should be directed to oair-testing@uwm.edu.   

As we look towards entering grades at the end of the semester, we share guidance on UWM's F-grade policy. The federal government’s Title IV financial aid regulations require that instructors document participation for students receiving F grades, including the number of the last week of the student's active participation in the course. 

In May, Spring collections for the Thank an Instructor initiative will begin, which provides an opportunity for UWM students and alumni to submit a note expressing appreciation for an instructor who made a difference in their education.

Every semester, our Thank an Instructor program collects notes from students and alumni. We congratulate Lindsey Hieber on receiving a note.  As Teaching Faculty, Lindsey is making waves in helping UWM students learn. Read one of the student notes for Lindsey below. 

Center for Advancing Student Learning (CASL)
414-229-4319
2033 E. Hartford Ave., B50
Milwaukee, WI 53211