ISW Handbook

Overview

The ISW Handbook (Beta Version February 2018) is available for download (Login through your account at: https://iswnetwork.ca/myaccount ) and use in your ISWs. The Handbook is in three parts:

  • ISW Handbook Part One: Workshop Overview
  • ISW Handbook Part Two: Workbook
  • ISW Handbook Part Three: Further Information and Resources

This Handbook has been developed over time by a large number of ISW facilitators and In preparing the Handbook, the ISW community had to make difficult choices about what to include. Rather than compiling a massive resource that covers absolutely everything that might come up in or after an ISW, the community chose to model an important principle underlying the ISW itself. We recognize that in learning environments, “less” can be “more.” Less content may often be more effective because it results in deeper learning and greater retention.

Overall, this Handbook is designed to provide:

  • important information that supports full participation during the workshop,
  • some information, resources, and references that can be used before, during, and after the workshop, and
  • several tools for reflecting on teaching and learning, both as a facilitator of learning and as a lifelong learner.

In 10 minutes, one hour, or one Handbook, we cannot be all things to all people. An essential instructional task is to decide what is critically important. Underlying this idea is the hope that if we build genuine interest and enthusiasm, learners will be motivated to follow up on their own.

This Handbook has been developed over time by a large number of ISW facilitators and In preparing the Handbook, the ISW community had to make difficult choices about what to include. Rather than compiling a massive resource that covers absolutely everything that might come up in or after an ISW, the community chose to model an important principle underlying the ISW itself. We recognize that in learning environments, “less” can be “more.” Less content may often be more effective because it results in deeper learning and greater retention.

Significant Changes – New (rather than simply revised) material found in sections in green

Three parts to the Handbook

Part One: Workshop Overview

Provides an overview of the Handbook and of the ISW.

  • An overview of the Handbook
  • An overview of the ISW workshop, answering some questions participants may have before the ISW
  • An introduction to the core elements of an ISW lesson and the importance of lesson planning
  • Information to assist with giving and receiving feedback
  • Some final words
  • A glossary of teaching/learning terminology
  • A general reference list
  • A preview of Parts Two and Three

Part Two: Workbook

Provides further information, examples, and resources related to the core elements of an ISW lesson, exercises that facilitators may wish to use with participants in an ISW, and tools to help participants reflect on their learning in the ISW and beyond.

  • The Bridge-In
  • Outcomes
  • Pre- /Post-Assessments
  • Participatory Learning
  • Lesson Planning
  • Reflections
  • Lessons Learned

Part Three: Further Information and Resources

Provides information about important topics that may emerge during an ISW. Some material may be used during an ISW, some may be used for reference following the workshop.

  • Responsive and Inclusive Teaching and Training
    • Diversity in Learning
    • Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
    • Learning Preferences and Multiple Intelligences
    • Accessibility
    • Indigenization and Reconciliation (A Canadian Perspective)
  • Current Topics in Teaching and Learning
    • The Flipped Classroom – pending
    • Open Textbooks and Open Content – pending
    • Intersectionality – pending
  • Further Information for Reflective Practitioners
    • Three General Principles of Adult Learning
    • Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education
    • Taxonomies and Domains
    • Classroom2Cloud: Technology-Supported Teaching
    • Community Building and Cooperative Learning
    • Classroom Management – pending
    • Questions and Question Sequencing – pending
  • Reference lists provided throughout to emphasize and highlight that what we do is based on research, scholarship, and thoughtful reflection by many educators and thinkers
  • Lists of search terms often provided so participants can look for the most current material on the topic
  • Consistent language plain enough yet rich enough to work for the many settings around the world in which ISWs are offered, both educational – colleges, universities, and other learning institutions, and workplace – health care, provincial and municipal government departments, business and industry, first responder agencies (police, ambulance services, firefighters) and industry workplace training organizations.
  • Creative Commons licensing for each of the three parts of the Handbook
    • ISW Handbook Part One: Workshop Overview – Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
    • ISW Handbook Part Two: Workbook – Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
    • ISW Handbook Part Three: Further Information and Resources – Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Recommendations for Use

It will take time and effort to work with the new Handbook effectively. Prior to using it, facilitators must spend time reviewing the content, selecting the context-appropriate activities, and generally planning how to work with it in an ISW.

Institutions should seriously consider offering an in-service/professional development event for all members of their facilitator teams to introduce the new Handbook and work together in developing approaches to using it in their ISWs.

Trainers offering FDWs will also need to spend time reviewing the content of the new ISW Handbook, prior to using it in an FDW.