The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is a peer‑based, experiential learning program designed to strengthen educators’ teaching effectiveness through structured microteaching and feedback. Developed in British Columbia in 1978 by Douglas Kerr for community college instructors, the ISW is a 24‑ to 30‑hour workshop—typically delivered over 3–4 days—in which participants prepare and deliver three 10‑minute “mini‑lessons” in a small group setting and receive verbal, written, and video feedback focused on their teaching process rather than content. The ISW also emphasizes reflective and participatory learning, fostering collegiality and self‑awareness among both novice and experienced teachers. Those seeking to facilitate ISWs must complete additional training through a 40‑hour Facilitator Development Workshop (FDW), and further progression leads to becoming a trainer via the Trainer Development Workshop (TDW).

Overview and History

The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is offered within a small group setting (5-6 participants) and is designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and experienced educators. It is a structured approach to peer feedback on microteaching with additional thematic sessions for instructors' learning. During the 24-hour workshop (usually offered over 3-4 days), participants design and conduct three "mini-lessons" and receive verbal, written and video feedback from the other participants who have been learners in the mini-lessons. Using an intensive

experiential learning Experiential learning (ExL) is the process of learning through experience, and is more narrowly defined as "learning through reflection on doing". Hands-on learning can be a form of experiential learning, but does not necessarily involve students ...

approach, the workshop encourages reflection and examination of one's teaching practices with feedback focused on the learning process rather than on the content of the lesson.Day, R. (2005) The Instructional Skills Workshop: The Heart of an Educator Learning Community in British Columbia and Beyond. INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING & LEARNING. Retrieved April 8, 2013 from http://iswnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Hand_ISW_ISSoTL1.pdf Those who wish to facilitate ISW after taking it must take the 40-hour Facilitator Development Workshop (FDW), and those who wish to train facilitators take the Trainer Development Workshop (TDW) by shadowing the FDW with a trainer from the network. The ISW promotes participatory learning and the building of community. Detailed information about the ISW and related workshops can be found a
the ISW Network website
The Instructional Skills Workshop was initially designed for instructors at community colleges and institutes in

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

in 1978 by Douglas Kerr, from the

Vancouver Community College Vancouver Community College (VCC) is a public community college in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1965, it is the oldest community college in British Columbia. VCC offers 79 certificate programs, 24 diploma programs, 9 award o ...

at the request of Diane Morrison from the Ministry of Advanced Education.ISW Handbook for Participants. 2006. Pat Pattison & Russell Day, eds. In 1992, the

University of British Columbia The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a Public university, public research university with campuses near University of British Columbia Vancouver, Vancouver and University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, in British Columbia, Canada ...

introduced the ISW as a program designed for teaching assistants. The first handbook was written by Douglas Kerr in 1978. As the ISW grew across Canada and internationally, there have been numerous collaborators contributing to the handbook.

References

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External links

Instructional Skills Workshop Network

British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology and Responsible for Multiculturalism (formerly the Ministry of Advanced Education)

International Society for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Teacher training