What is ISW?
The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is a comprehensive instructor development program designed to improve the teaching effectiveness of educators, whether they are new to the profession or have years of experience. Conducted over 3 days in a private, small group setting, participants design and deliver three mini-lessons, receiving verbal, written, and video feedback from their peers. This intensive, experiential learning approach focuses on both the theory and practice of teaching adult learners.
Throughout the workshop, educators explore key aspects of teaching, such as creating clear learning objectives, engaging students in the learning process, and evaluating student progress. The ISW emphasizes reflective practice, encouraging participants to think critically about their teaching methods and receive feedback focused on enhancing the learning experience rather than the lesson content itself.
Beyond improving individual teaching skills, the ISW fosters a sense of community among educators, promoting participatory learning and collaboration. It offers new faculty an introduction to the institution’s culture and values while providing seasoned educators with a chance to renew their teaching practices and connect with colleagues. Overall, the ISW supports professional growth, team building, and the adoption of new instructional approaches that can be applied both in and out of the classroom.
Why Participate in ISW?
ISW is an opportunity to:
- Work closely with colleagues from the across the college, from different disciplines, to reflect upon and improve your teaching practice
- Practice a variety of instructional techniques in a supportive atmosphere
- Receive valuable feedback immediately following your teaching of a 10-minute lesson
Who Can Participate in ISW?
The Instructional Skills Workshop is open to all Cambrian employees. Faculty, support staff, and administrators are welcome and encouraged to participate!
Teaching takes many forms! Any time you present, support and guide learning, or facilitate discussion, you are teaching. ISW focuses on these broader forms of instruction, not just formal classroom teaching.
You can apply these skills to:
- formal classroom instruction
- lab classes
- clincal instruction
- leading effective meetings
- facilitating Program Advisory Committees (PACs)
- running focus groups
- delivering presentations and training sessions
- supporting teams through change or new initiatives
ISW helps you move from simply delivering information to creating interactive, purposeful experiences. Whether you teach in a classroom or lead conversations across the college, ISW strengthens your ability to communicate clearly, engage others, and achieve your intended outcomes.
What to Expect
As a participant in the 3-day ISW, you will engage in the following:
- Role modelling of different teaching styles and strategies by workshop facilitators and participants
- Deliver three 10-minute lessons
- Receive feedback from a small group of peers on each lesson
- Participate in active learning sessions and workshops
- Engage in sessions on a variety of teaching and learning topics, such as effective teaching practices, assessment and feedback techniques, Universal Design for Learning, writing strong learning outcomes, course alignment, etc.
- Reflect on your own learning and that of others, and incorporate those new understandings into your lessons
Check out the Hub’s PD Calendar to find out when the next session is happening!