The Wisconsin Collaboratory for Enhanced Learning (WisCEL), launched as part of UW-Madison Educational Innovation and the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates (MIU). WisCEL has succeeded through the combined leadership of the College of Engineering, College of Letters and Sciences, Division of Information Technology, General Library System, and the Office of the Provost. WisCEL is driving campus-wide adoption of 21st century innovation in teaching and learning and pioneering libraries as ideal spaces for instruction and multi-use, student-centered learning.
Funded as one of the first round Madison Initiative for Undergraduates (MIU) projects in 2010, WisCEL was designed as one of the first learning spaces on campus for technology-enhanced, collaborative and active learning. The two WisCEL spaces, on the third floor of College Library and the fourth floor of Wendt Commons, underwent an extensive re-design and construction process in 2010-2011. Both WisCEL Centers officially began hosting courses spring semester 2012.
Since opening in January 2012, WisCEL has grown to an annual student enrollment of more than 5000 students, who take more than 40 different courses, taught by 35 different instructors and 30 TAs, from 30 departments which span five UW-Madison divisions.
In coordination with College and Wendt library staff, WisCEL also hosts a variety of open study options for students, course-related, and non-course related activities at all hours of library operation and year round. Students and staff participating in these activities rely upon and benefit from WisCEL technologies, flexible furniture and space, and library location and accessibility.