Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW)

Please complete this editable registration form and either email it to ltcsec@uvic.ca or fax it to 250-721-6494.
As there are several ISWs being offered, please specify the date of your workshop on this form. Thank you.

ISW Registration Form (word)

ISW Registraton Form (rtf)

What is the ISW?

Since 1978, the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) has been a highly effective process by which new and experienced educators at universities and colleges across North America enhance their teaching skills. The essential idea behind the ISW is to give educators a chance to practice teaching in a friendly environment.

Who Participates?

• Faculty
• Sessionals
• Instructors
• Post docs
• Graduate students
• TAs
• Practically anyone who is interested in improving his or her teaching skills

How does it work?

• Each workshop is limited to 12 participants.
• The ISW is a four-day process. Please expect to be at the Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) at 9:00 AM and to finish around 5:00 PM on all four days.
• Day 1 is an introductory session about constructing lesson plans, giving each participant the necessary instruction to plan their first mini-lesson.
• On Day 2 and 3, the day starts with instruction on teaching skills (see below for more detail).
• On Day 2, 3 and 4 each participant delivers a 10-minute mini-lesson.
• Each mini-lesson is videotaped for the participant to view later at home.
• As well, each participant is given written and oral feedback from their peers about their mini-lesson.
• On Day 4, after completing the last mini-lesson, the group gathers for a celebratory potluck and certificate ceremony.

What teaching skills will participants learn?

• How to design a lesson plan that contains clearly defined steps to improve the clarity of lessons.
• How to write learning outcomes.
• Active learning strategies.
• The reflective process.
• Learning and teaching styles.
• Assessment techniques that can be used immediately in the classroom.
• How to work effectively in groups.
• How to give and receive constructive feedback.
• How to implement peer-to-peer methods in your classroom.
• Who are students today?
• Techniques on how to build a community in your classroom.
• Increased confidence as an educator!

What is expected of each participant?

• To receive the completion certificate, each participant must attend the whole workshop.
• To provide the required deposit no later than two weeks before the workshop start date. This deposit will be returned to each participant if they complete the workshop requirements.
• Homework is required, outside of the workshop time. All lessons are to be prepared at home and completed on the day of delivery.
• Everyone is expected to provide constructive suggestions to their peers on what to try next time for their mini-lesson.
• To try different teaching methods.
• To share with colleagues techniques that they have found effective in their teaching experience.
• To bring lunch each day (except for Day 4 for the potluck, when everyone brings a contribution for that). A continental breakfast is supplied each morning and there will always be plenty of coffee!

Eligibility for full funding?

This workshop is open to all teachers or potential teachers currently affiliated with a department/school at UVic (including post docs, TAs and other grad students). Graduate students must be enrolled in a UVic graduate program. Special arrangements are also available for current instructors at Vancouver Island Educational Developers' Alliance (VIEDA) partner institutions. These include Royal Roads, Camosun College, Vancouver Island University and North Island College.

For those who are not eligible to participate in the ISW (see above), a similar workshop is offered through UVic Continuing Studies for $595.00. http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/aspnet/Course/Detail/index.aspx?code=EDCA040