In May, the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics hosted a customized Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) for Lang faculty to explore teaching and learning excellence aimed at improving the overall student learning experience.
Widely recognized as a forum for peer-based instructional development, the ISW is designed to strengthen instructors' skills through intensive, yet practical exercises in learning-centred teaching. Mixing small and large group interaction, the workshop engages participants in a variety of activities centred around active learning pedagogies, developing participatory instructional techniques, planning and delivering lessons, and other evidence-based teaching practices.
“The ISW was an amazing workshop that I would strongly recommend regardless of skill level,” said Dr. Kathleen Rodenburg. “I found it particularly helpful in developing active learning sessions for a future course. I left the workshop feeling re-energized and excited for my next teaching assignment.”
The ISW is designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and experienced educators with the overall goal of improving student learning. In addition to the opportunity to reflect and examine existing teaching practices, the workshop also helped foster a strong community amongst instructors at Lang by developing a support network to share experiences and tips.
“Working along other faculty is particularly encouraging. The facilitators create a safe, safe environment where everyone sets their own objectives and fellow faculty provide meaningful feedback,” continued Rodenburg. “Finding a community of faculty who face similar challenges and are dedicated to continuous improvement has been amazing.”
“I expected the value of participating in the ISW would be all about learning and applying best practices in teaching. In that regard, the ISW delivered,” said Dr. Nadège Levallet. “What I did not expect was that I would also develop a strong teaching network with the participants. In fact, some participants and I have shared teaching tips and suggestions on multiple occasions since the ISW. To me, this was an unintended learning outcome that is truly beneficial!”
The Instructional Skills Workshop is offered collaboratively with the Office of Teaching and Learning, and the School plans to continue to offer the ISW in the future. The workshop is one of several initiatives [1] the School engages in to foster a strong culture of teaching and learning excellence.
