Using CSIS to Register Students in Your Canvas Course

This document is meant for units looking to offer noncredit (non-timetable) courses and need a way to enroll learners into the canvas course. In this document you will find options using CSIS for enrolling noncredit learners, who to contact for more information and other services offered for noncredit courses.

Using L3 to Register Students in Your Canvas Course

Definitions

  • L3: Lifelong Learner to LMS (Learning Management System, using Canvas)
  • CSIS: Continuing Studies Information System (Course Management System)
  •  DCS: Division of Continuing Studies
  • CERC: Continuing Education Registration Center
  • LEG: Learning Engineering Team

 

What is CSIS?

CSIS is a customized course management system that allows users to track their courses, allow for automated student enrollment, and give real-time access to a Canvas course.

Unit staff create a record of course details and connect a Canvas shell within the course management system (CSIS).

CSIS uses a tool known as L3 which enrolls students in the course. Users receive a series of emails, follow instructions to either use an existing NetID or a new one is created for them. Once their NetID is in the system, they have instant access to their Canvas course.

UW-Madison academic programs that use the campus LMS (currently Canvas) for non-timetable lifelong-learning purposes (also called "noncredit programs") may choose to use the L3 process” through CSIS. This fully automated system ensures that every registrant has immediate access to your course and learning materials in the campus LMS (Canvas) upon registration completion.

Two L3 pathways exist for course enrollments                                              

  1. Upload roster (name, email)
    and/or
  2. Learners are directed to a registration link (via email or website)

In both cases the L3 process is activated so the learner can access the Canvas course in a matter of minutes

Getting Started

Please fill out this L3 Request Form so we understand your basic needs. An L3 Coordinator will work with you to discern the best needs for your Unit. 

What we at the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) can do for you:

  • Create CSIS Account, Connect to Canvas (creates a sub-account): CSIS Developer
  • Set up Unit Registration Account: CERC
  • Build out Canvas course: Learning Engineering Team (Instructional Design)
  • Learner NetID troubleshooting: DCS Online Team or train department staff

Continuing Education Registration Center (CERC) Benefits for You

  • When learners register through CERC the L3 process is automatically initiated
  • Easily collects fees for registrations
  • Learners automatically added to CSIS and Canvas
  • Course Completion Certificate
  • Noncredit course and learner transcripts, records, reports

Learning Engineering Team (LEG) Benefits for You:

  • Comprehensive Course Design: The LEG team excels in developing and customizing courses across various platforms like Canvas and edX, including hybrid and fully online formats. They also create high-quality teaching and learning materials to support effective course delivery.
  • Expert Consultation: Benefit from professional guidance in project planning, instructional design, team culture enhancement, and remote team management. The LEG team also offers consultation and guidance in digital archiving and project management using tools like Asana.
  • Training & Continued Education: Engage in training sessions, learn best practices, and participate in communities of practice focused on areas like digital badging, course design, and learning experiences. The LEG team also supports student intern experiences, networking, and career mentoring.
  • Media Production Services: Access professional studio and on-site recording services, media consultation, editing, and captioning to enhance the quality and accessibility of your media content.

L3 Support

What Will My Unit be Charged?

  • The setup of your unit in these systems has no charge.
  • Once students are enrolled, an L3 usage fee is assessed to the unit, annually. It is based on the number of users, approximately $2.50/user per year. An example for a unit not exceeding 200 users in a given year, the maximum cost would be $500.
  • CERC charges vary depending on the complexity of setting up registration. Please note that credit card fees will be charged back to your unit.

Questions?

Contact the L3 Coordinator at l3-coordinator@g-groups.wisc.edu.



Keywords:
register students canvas class course L3 enrollment getting started request form
Doc ID:
150291
Owned by:
Liz N. in Lifelong Learner to LMS
Created:
2025-05-05
Updated:
2025-05-22
Sites:
Lifelong Learner to LMS (L3)