Redesigning with intention: Graduate student and teaching assistant programming at the Teaching Commons (Blog 5 of 5)
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts. Read all blogs in the series!
A visualization of the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW)
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Instructional Skills Workshop Certificate
The Instructional Skills Workshop for graduate students are offered within a small group setting and are designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and experienced educators. During the three-day workshop, participants design and conduct three lessons and receive verbal, written, and video feedback from the other participants who have been learners in the lessons. Using an intensive experiential and reflective 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. Effective feedback skills, practiced in the workshop, are useful for educators in the classroom and also as they conduct their regular institutional business. The ISW engenders participatory learning and the building of community that can transfer back into the classroom and the institution. Participation in a workshop creates an opportunity for graduate students to learn about the unique culture and value system of the organization and can also be a renewing and revitalizing activity for more seasoned members. Added benefits are a sense of collegiality, team building, self-discovery, and learning new approaches to working with others.
There are two upcoming Graduate Students Instructional Skills Workshops:
April 16-18, 2024, 9am-4:30pm in DB 1014. Learn more and register.
April 30, May 1 & May 2, 9am-4:30pm in DB 1014. Learn more and register.
If the scheduled workshops do not work for you, register your interest for future events.
Teaching Dossier Support
In addition to “Learn How to DO a Teaching Dossier” workshops each Fall and Winter to introduce graduate students to teaching dossiers, we have launched a monthly Teaching Dossier Circle to support participants as they continue to reflect on their teaching and learning and prepare applications for jobs, teaching awards, and other purposes.
Register for “Learn How to DO a Teaching Dossier” taking place on Tuesday May 14, 1-3pm via Zoom.