University of Wisconsin–Madison

Learn@UW tools bring engagement & cost savings to students

Learn@UW offers a variety of tools to help instructors and students engage with each other and course materials. Many of these tools are free to use, so long as staff and students get started using their UW–‍Madison NetID. Below is information highlighting a select few of the Learn@UW academic technology tools.

Top Hat

Top Hat is an active learning platform that provides instructors with multiple ways to engage students, including online homework and in-class interactive activities and polls. Top Hat is a bring-your-own-device solution, which means that students can use any web-enabled device (laptop, tablets, smartphones) to participate.

Key features

  • Uses any web-enabled device (ie, laptop, tablet, smartphone).
  • Offers synchronous presentation, which enables students to follow content as it is presented in class.
  • Supports multiple question types, including click-on-target, word answer and multiple choice.
  • Supports file hosting and upload capability for PowerPoint and other file types.
  • Live assessments and auto-graded quizzes sync with Canvas Gradebook.
Although Top Hat has been part of the Learn@UW suite since 2016, the cost for using the tool was previously covered by students who purchased individual subscriptions. Since 2022, this tool has been offered without cost to all UW–‍Madison faculty, staff and students. By making this a free service, the median cost savings to students in 2024 was $1,080,135. Learn more about Top Hat

Engage

Engage provides students and instructors with seamless, integrated access to digital textbooks (eTexts) and publisher-provided tools through Canvas—often at a significantly lower cost than print.

Key features

  • Immediate access to digital materials in Canvas; no additional purchases required.
  • eTexts available at significantly reduced prices (typically 40–80% off retail).
  • Usage data can help identify key areas for exam reviews and other activities.
  • Simplified ordering process for content from multiple publishers via the Order Tool.
  • Students retain access to eTexts for as long as they are enrolled at UW–‍Madison.
Since its launch in spring 2018, Engage has helped students save a total of $21.4 million on course materials. Learn more about Engage

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that helps learners discover and develop business, technology-related, and creative skills through expert-led course videos. With more than 5,000 courses and personalized recommendations, people can discover, complete, and track courses related to their field and interests. LinkedIn Learning is free for students and employees and is available 24/7.

Key features

  • Geared towards all levels of experience, from beginners to experts.
  • Learn at your own pace: play, pause, rewind.
  • Topics range from office productivity and graphic design tools to programming and web production codes.
Learn more about LinkedIn Learning Learn@UW offers a wide variety of academic technology tools to help enhance teaching and support learning. Find out about their other offerings on the Learn@UW homepage.