This new section features brief stories and snapshots that highlight the Network’s history, growth, and evolving global presence.

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Strength in Local ISW Facilitator Teams

Strength in Local ISW Facilitator Teams (.pdf)

Contributed by Diane Morrison, November 2025

For nearly five decades, Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) participants with varying backgrounds and levels of teaching experience have enhanced their instructional skills within the supportive, collegial ISW program. ISW participants regularly follow-up their workshop experience with other professional development activities at their home institutions, and continue to learn from, and with, their teaching colleagues.

Participation as a member of a local ISW Facilitator Team is an integral part of training and development for those who offer ISW and related activities. Those selected to join their local ISW Team complete initial ISW Facilitator training. By working collaboratively with other members of their ISW team, their ISW Facilitator skills are honed.

Sometimes ISW Facilitators or Trainers remain active in the ISW Network as Independents after retiring, or moving to an organization not offering ISW, or becoming educational consultants. These individuals usually focus on helping local ISW Teams strengthen their in-house ISW programs. Completion of initial facilitator training is essential for all facilitators, but is not sufficient preparation for participation in the ISW Network as an Independent. The skills and knowledge needed for supporting local ISW programs at other sites are acquired by active participation as a member of one’s own ISW Team.

Collegial support for ISW Facilitators as well as ISW participants has been a key feature of the ISW program since its beginnings in British Columbia in 1979. Early on, local contact persons supported communications between local ISW Teams and the growing ISW network. The newer term for this role is Local Representative, and there are now over 130 Local Reps supporting connection and collaboration among ISW Teams across Canada and beyond.

Without local ISW Facilitator Teams, the global ISW Network would not exist.