University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | uwlax.edu
Newsletter
A page within Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning (CATL)
CATL Weekly
March 9, 2026
In the March 9, 2026 issue
TEACHING TIP.
It's mid-semester and it's a good time to collect some feedback from your students. CATL created mid-semester survey you can easily import into your Canvas course via Canvas Commons (steps listed below). It uses the quiz feature in Canvas and can be set for an ungraded survey. Note: Canvas surveys are NOT anonymous so please advise your students.
- Login to Canvas via a web browser.
- Click "Commons" from the global navigation (the navigation on the far left, when using Canvas in a browser).
- In the search bar, type in "University of Wisconsin La Crosse Sample Mid-Semester Feedback"
- Click on the name of the item
- Select the "Import/Download" button
- Select the name of the course or courses you want the survey to be imported into.
- Click "Import into course"
- You can now review the imported survey in the selected course or courses
This mid-semester survey asks questions that align with LENS so it can help prime students to think about your course and elements of LENS. After you receive the feedback, make time to process it, respond, and stick to your plan. As you work through feedback, be sure to reference the "Guide to Using LENS for Teaching Improvement."
DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY.
12 Weeks to Digital Accessibility
Week 9 - 7 Core Principles and PowerPoint Files
Using the 7 core principles of accessibility and the digital accessibility checklist will help you create new and fix existing Microsoft PowerPoint files to adhere to accessibility standards.
Action for this week:
- Find a PowerPoint file from your UDOIT scan that needs to be fixed.
- Apply the 7 core principles by using the digital accessibility checklist to see if you can notice what might need attention. Note: Two common issues with PowerPoint may not be readily noticed within the checklist -- reading order and slide titles. Review the "Create accessible slides" section of the knowledge base article to learn more.
- Use the built-in Microsoft accessibility checker to review and fix any outstanding accessibility issues.
- Replace the file in your Canvas course. Using the exact same file name and file location will update all links in your course.
- Once you rerun a UDOIT scan again, the file will be off the issues list if all issues are resolves.
If you need in-person support with accessibility and Microsoft PowerPoint, the Eagle Help Desk can assist. CATL can assist with Canvas uploading and UDOIT scanning.
EVENTS & REMINDERS.
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Coffee Meets Learning
connect with CATL over coffee or tea, talk about teaching- 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 10
- 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 24
- 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 31
- 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 7
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Artificial Intelligence
Community of Practice, Sponsored by CATL, Spring 2026- 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 10
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DREAM Presents: Emily Ladau
Author of Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10
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Digital Accessibility Support
no appointment required, support from CATL- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 11
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 25
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 1
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 8
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Write On
Research Writing Work Time for Instructors, Spring 2026- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 13
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 20
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 27
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 3
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Book Club: Teaching Effectively with ChatGPT
- 12:40 to 2:05 p.m. Thursday, March 26
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Book Club: Design for All Learners
- 2:15 to 3:40 p.m. Thursday, March 26
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Book Club: Engaging Ideas
- 8:50 to 9:45 a.m. Monday, April 6
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New(ish) Instructors
Community of Practice, Sponsored by CATL (Spring 2026)- 12:05 to 1 p.m. Monday, April 6