Webex Meetings - Getting Started for Instructors [UW-Madison]

This document is written for instructors and includes links to other documents and information about how to access Webex, starting and configuring sessions, navigating the session, recording the session, and distributing that recording and protecting student privacy. We have another document about Webex written for Technical Assistants who can assist instructors during their sessions located here: [Link for document 99225 is unavailable at this time].


Webex is a web conferencing tool available at UW-Madison. Faculty, staff, and student employees are able to create and host web conference sessions which can be accessed by anyone. It's a useful tool for hosting and recording synchronous web conferencing sessions. For these and other reasons, Webex is a recommended tool for continuity of instruction, particularly for hosting synchronous sessions with students. Because Webex doesn't integrate with Canvas, if you are a Canvas user, please consider using Zoom. See Zoom (Canvas Integration) - Overview [UW-Madison] for more information.

Note: The Webex Meetings Desktop Application is not needed to join sessions. Your students do not need to download Webex, and are not eligible to download Webex, but can join via invites you send.

Note: If you are planning a session with a large number (up to 1000) of participants, please review the section below about Webex Events.

Installing and Accessing Webex

Starting and Configuring Webex Sessions

Navigating the Webex Session

Recording and Distributing recorded Webex Sessions

Webex Events

Webex Events is intended for sessions with a large number of participants (up to 1000) that need to be muted with no video (no audio or video capabilities). There is a Q&A feature that allows participants to ask questions via text.

Webex Events is accessed by logging in at uwmadison.webex.com.

Once you are signed in, select Webex Events in the bottom left-side menu.

Screenshot of Webex Events found in the left-hand menu

Training videos on how to use this tool is available directly from Cisco at Webex Events Training Videos.

There is also an online training course for Webex Events for UW-Madison employees. You can sign up through the Office of Human Resources catalog.

Protecting Student Privacy

Since you will be working with student data, please take some time to review the documents below pertaining to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

If you have additional questions about FERPA please contact the UW-Madison Registrar's Office.

Additional Links and resources

  • Video tutorials are available for Webex. 
  • If you are experiencing any technical problems with Webex, click here for troubleshooting and to get help or contact the DoIT Help Desk.
  • There's also a self-help document for Troubleshooting Audio Webex Audio Troubleshooting 
  • For a quick-reference sheet of best practices for using Webex, please click here.
  • Learn more about Webex and accessibility (including Live Closed Captioning).
  • If your course enrollment is above 500, it is recommended that you do not host synchronous sessions. Instead, consider asynchronous delivery.

See Also:




Keywords:ta techta techtas tech ta ferpa remote remotely learning bbcu webex canvas recordings lecture lectures canvas remote remotely online learning conference canvas courses learn@uw course covid19 covid covid-19 corona virus coronavirus pandemic instructional continuity course transition instruction events event collaborate   Doc ID:99226
Owner:Learn@UW Madison .Group:Learn@UW-Madison
Created:2020-03-20 17:35 CDTUpdated:2023-02-08 13:22 CDT
Sites:DoIT Help Desk, Learn@UW-Madison
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