Wisc-Online Transition Announcement

For more than 20 years, Wisc-Online has provided free, high-quality digital learning resources to students, educators, and lifelong learners. While the original Wisc-Online site will be winding down in December 2025, the brand isn’t going away. Instead, Wisc-Online will continue as part of WisTech Open, a new statewide platform that brings together open educational resources and innovative tools to support learners across Wisconsin and beyond.

What’s Changing

• The current Wisc-Online site will close in December 2025.
• The Arcade (Play/Build Games) and Image Repository will be retired.
• Some older content will be phased out.
• Content will no longer be ad-supported.

What’s Staying

• The Wisc-Online brand will remain strong within WisTech Open.
• A curated selection of Wisc-Online learning resources will still be available—just in a new home.
• wisc-online.com and wisc-online.org will continue to take you to Wisc-Online content (redirecting to WisTech Open).
• Access will remain free for everyone.

FAQ for Students, General Learners, and Community Users

1. Why is Wisc-Online changing?

• Wisc-Online has supported millions of learners for over 20 years. It’s time for a refresh! By moving to WisTech Open, we can keep offering free, high-quality learning resources on a more modern, sustainable platform.

2. What is WisTech Open?

• WisTech Open is Wisconsin’s new statewide hub for open educational resources. It’s where Wisc-Online’s most popular learning objects will live on—alongside new tools and resources to support learning across the state and beyond.

3. What will happen to the content on Wisc-Online?

• A curated collection of Wisc-Online’s Learn content will move to WisTech Open. Some older resources will be retired so we can focus on keeping the collection fresh and relevant.

4. What is happening with the Wisc-Online Arcade?

• The Play Games Arcade is now offline.
• You can still log in and build/share your own games privately through 2025, but they will no longer appear in the public Arcade.
• Game-building access will end when Wisc-Online closes in December 2025.

5. What if I already built games?

• Your games will stay in your profile until December 31, 2025. After that date, they will no longer be available.

6. What about the Image Repository?

• The Image Repository will be retired and won’t be moved to WisTech Open. If you want to keep any images, download them before December 31, 2025.

7. When is this happening?

• The Wisc-Online site will stay open until December 2025. After that, you’ll find Wisc-Online content at WisTech Open.

8. Will my saved or bookmarked Wisc-Online links still work?

• No, bookmarks to the current site will stop working after December 2025. Don’t worry—we’ll redirect wisc-online.com to WisTech Open so you can still find us.

9. Who can I contact with questions?

• Please email info@wisc-online.com with any questions about the transition.

FAQ for Faculty or Teachers Using LMS Platforms (Blackboard, Canvas, or D2L)

1. What happens to Wisc-Online objects I’ve downloaded into my LMS?

• Good news — if you’ve downloaded and embedded Wisc-Online objects (like SCORM packages) into your LMS, they will keep working even after the Wisc-Online site transitions to WisTech Open. These objects are self-contained and don’t rely on the live site.

2. What about links I’ve added to Wisc-Online?

• Links that point back to the Wisc-Online site will stop working after December 31, 2025. You’ll need to update those links manually once content is available on WisTech Open.

3. How will I know which content is moving?

• We’ll share a list of all the learning objects and courses that are migrating so you can plan ahead.

4. Can I keep using Wisc-Online content for now?

• Yes! You can keep using Wisc-Online content through December 2025. After that, plan to switch over to WisTech Open links.

6. What about Wisc-Online games I use in class?

• The public Play Games Arcade is offline.
• Any links you’ve shared to Arcade games will no longer work after December 2025.
• We recommend reviewing your courses now and planning for alternatives where needed.

6. What about Wisc-Online games that I use in my teaching?

• Play Games resources are no longer supported through the public Arcade.
• If you embedded or linked to Arcade games in your LMS, those links will not function after December 31, 2025.
• Faculty are encouraged to review courses now and plan to replace Arcade-based content.

7. What should I do now to get ready?

• Review your courses for Wisc-Online links, games, and images.
• Save any images you want to keep before December 2025.
• Watch for updates and migration lists so you can refresh your links.

8. Will there be an opportunity to request or develop new content?

• If you have an idea for new content, please share at https://www.wistechopen.org/contact and select “Pitch a Project Idea.”
• All project ideas are considered and are dependent on available funding.