Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW)

The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is a Canadian grassroots certificate programme that is becoming very popular in China. During this intensive three-day workshop, which lasts 24 hours in total, participants will work collaboratively in a small group setting (for example, one facilitator for every five participants) to further develop their teaching effectiveness as well as receiving feedback on new teaching strategies and techniques.

Participants will design and conduct three “mini-lessons” and receive reflective verbal, written and video feedback from the other participants who have been learners in the mini-lessons. Using an intensive experiential learning approach, participants are provided with information on the theory and practice of teaching adult learners, the selection and writing of useful learning objectives with accompanying lesson plans, techniques for eliciting learner participation, and suggestions for evaluation of learning.

The workshop encourages reflection and examination of one’s teaching practices with feedback focused on the learning process rather than on the specific content of the lesson. The ISW engenders participatory learning and the building of community that can transfer back into the classroom and the institution. Because this is a peer-based workshop, your success and the success of others in your group are entirely dependent upon your commitment to the process. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that you commit to the three days in their entirety.

The ISWs are available for all teaching staff and will be run periodically throughout the year by one of our trained facilitators at EDU. A certificate will be issued upon completion that is recognised at most international universities.

If you want to request an ISW for your team, please contact the Educational Developer, Ling Wang at ling.wang@xjtlu.edu.cn.