3. About the ISW

The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) Program is a comprehensive three-tiered instructor development program that serves as the foundation for several professional development activities. Read more for a full description of the ISW Program.

Since 1979, 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. See The Roots and Reach of ISW for stories about the ISW Network’s history, growth, and evolving global presence.

The ISW Network is an informally-linked international group of educators using the ISW model and processes to enhance learning. A small ISW Network Executive Team, in collaboration with ISW Local Reps and other ISW Facilitators and FDW Trainers, works on ISW projects such as the registry, newsletter, website, handbook updates, translations, document review, and events. See the drop-down menu under Contact in the main menu for more information about the ISW Network, the Executive Team and Local Representatives.

The ISW was created in British Columbia, Canada but is offered in many places. Over its nearly five-decade history, thousands of educators have served as ISW Facilitators offering ISWs in colleges, institutes, universities, polytechnics, hospitals, government departments, non-profits, and training organizations around the world.

View a map and list of places where the ISW has been offered so far.

Note that while the ISW has been offered in many countries, it may not be currently active in every location on this map.

  • If you have offered an ISW or FDW at an institution or organization that is new to the ISW Network, please contact us to add this information to our global ISW database.
  • If you are interested in establishing the ISW program at your institution or organization, please see Institutional/Organizational Adoption of ISW and contact us for information and support on how to participate in the growing global ISW community.