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Testimonials from ISW Participants

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the August 2016 ISW:

  • I need a bigger toolbox!
  • I really enjoyed the entire course. I feel that I gained so much more than I expected. This is a course that I will highly recommend to my co-workers.
  • The course had a good mixture of lecturing, participation and group work.
  • Great facilitation during mini lessons.
  • Mini lectures were useful, educational and fun.
  • Thank you very much to all of the members that put on this course. You allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and grow as an educator.
  • ISW was very good and wish to thank school and facilitators for commitment and dedication.
  • Well done and thank you.
  • Placing such diverse people in the mini-lesson groups was a great representation of a diverse classroom with multiple learning styles. And it was helpful to find commonalities in our diversity.
  • I really enjoyed atttending the workshop!
  • It was awesome!  I learned way more than I thought I would.
  • The individual one to ones with the facilitator are helpful because you can set a goal together as to what to work on for the future.
  • The feedback from the mini-lessons helped me to step outside myself and strengthen my teaching identity.
  • I didn’t expect to gain insights into my own self but I did so. the workshop went beyond my expectations of developing not only professionally but also personally.

      

 

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the April 2016 ISW:

  • The mini-lesson process is very effective. I am inspired to continue to develop some of the ideas/approaches discussed, in my teaching. The group exercises — brainstorming, conversations, toolkits — were all very valuable both in terms of giving us tools and to feel we are part of a larger group having similar experiences in the classroom. Really invaluable three days. Thank you!
  • I got much more than I expected from this workshop. Mini lessons are the most valuable part of the workshop. Three leaders all worked very hard and gave professional suggestions for our teaching.
  • This was my first workshop of this nature. I value all the information I received, many new ideas and concepts and resources.
  • I learned so much about participatory learning and presentation skills! The most valuable part of the workshop was the opportunity to practice different teaching techniques in small groups. Also, listening to and learning from, the experience in the room during the morning sessions.
  • The final day was my favourite. It was the most dynamic and helpful for me. I loved both the “Imperfect Classroom” gallery walk activity and the “Top 5 Tips” activity.
  • I found both the large group activities on the final day — introduction to Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs), Gallery Walk and Networking — and the small 4:1 ratio of participants to facilitator for the mini lessons very helpful. Outstanding! Fun! Thank you for the treats and coffee! Thank you for the agenda and staying on track and modelling your recommendations. Thank you for everything! I learned so much!
  • I became more comfortable with incorporating my personal teaching style into a classroom setting, including feeling more confident in implementing classroom guidelines and structure. This was great and I’m looking forward to taking more courses to improve my skills down the road.
  • I found so much to be of value, but the frequency of giving mini lessons is likely the most. The first mini lesson demonstration was a great way to solidify the theory of it for me, a neophite at lesson planning! The facilitators were extremely knowledgeable, approachable, and generous, which went a long way to making the learning happen easily! Very well done!!

 

Application: A February 2016 ISW participant’s use of a technique discussed in the workshop:

The technique that I tried [in my class after completing the ISW] was one of the Classrooms Assessment Techniques (CATs). The activity involved the following:

    1. Students were asked to vote on a question that I presented; a question where the vote was pretty evenly split.
    2. Students were instructed to pair up with a student who had voted differently.
    3. Students were instructed to defend their original vote to the student they were paired with.

It worked well! I asked afterwards if any of the students had changed their position after their in-pairs discussions and a few of them had. This was great to hear as the questions I had chosen had a single correct answer. (I shared and explained the answer after the activity). I used true/false questions for the activity and found this worked well as it made the split in votes very clear.
Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the February 2016 ISW:

  • Thank you so much for an amazing 3 days. I can’t stop talking about how much I learned and what a career-changing experience it was for me. I learned more from the workshop than I did from my entire Masters! I grew so much as a professional, but what I appreciated more than my own growth was watching the transformation of other instructors. I watched someone progress from a mediocre instructor to something absolutely phenomenal! A transformation like that does not take place without great facilitators! So, I thank you again for your playful banter, your engaging topics, and your excellent facilitation skills. I will always remember the great time I had at the ISW. It was truly a life-changing 3 days.
  • I have taught for 16 years and always felt that something was missing. I have finally discovered what it was and feel so confident.
  • The most valuable part of the workshop was learning specific tools/methods to bring into the classroom immediately. For me, the think-pair-share and the “parking lot” were great.
  • This workshop is WAY better than I expected!
  • Very well-organized workshop. Very dedicated facilitators and efficient, very experienced and thus helpful.
  • Mini lesssons were a great opportunity to see other participants’ teaching styles. I learned from the comments about my own teaching.
  • The most valuable parts of the final day of the workshop were “parking lot” issues and Classroom Assessment Techniques (CAT). I’ll use that!
  • Great 3 days! Wonderful to meet you all. I enjoyed the intercultural discussion.
  • The most valuable parts of the workshop were: the people, the constant reinforcement of BOPPPS structure in numerous ways, new techniques, new friends and getting to know my colleagues.
  • Don’t change a thing!! LOVE IT!!
  • Fantastic 3 days! Now I’m going to sleep for the next 2!!!.
  • The most valuable part of the workshop was having informed, enthusiastic and supportive facilitators who care about learning. A good mix of theory and application.

 

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the September 2015 ISW:

  • This was a great experience. I highly recommend it to any teacher. The most valuable parts of the workshop were gathering tips from the “parking lot”, getting support and confidence to move forward, building enthusiasm for trying new things and being comfortable to try new things!
  • At first it seemed daunting to take on a 3-full-days workshop. However, the facilitators and the participants were great. And 3 days went by quickly.
  • The most valuable parts of the workshop were the variety of applicable content, especially active learning and the Kolb learning styles (cycles). I loved the interactive nature of the workshop, very informative, engaging and enjoyable. I felt a good sense of connection with my breakout group.
  • The most valuable parts of the workshop were the facilitators who were excellent, so supportive, and the materials to use in class.
  • This was a great 3-day workshop to sharpen my skills and affirm. I really appreciated the daily schedule and how everyone endeavoured to stay on track. The morning presentations and the variety of facilitators who gave multiple perspectives were the most valuable parts of the workshop.
  • We developed friendships and support on campus.
  • I tried to do 3 very different lessons and the encouragement and opportunity to experiment was very valuable. I know the 3 days feels long, but I very much see the value of the process, because it’s a process.
  • The workshop was well organized with good structure, which created a good learning space.

 

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the April 2015 ISW:

  • I liked the structure and activities. I thought the whole workshop moved at a great pace — no lag time, but also did not feel rushed. Great job, facilitators!!
  • One of the best I have ever attended on this subject. Well done!
  • I enjoyed the workshop very much. I feel more confident and have new strategies.
  • The most valuable parts of the workshop were sharing in the large group, people’s stories and ideas, pacing over the 3 days, facilitators’ guidance, flexibility, adaptability. The homework was very valuable for growth and process.
  • I felt the fluid dynamic created by all 3 facilitators was clever, friendly, charismatic. I felt engaged the entire way through, never bored. All of the facilitators created a safe, warm, constructive space — together and individually.
  • The most valuable part of the workshop was making me (kicking and screaming) move out of what I currently do well to try something else. Focus on teaching as a thing/skill beyond me and what I do.

 

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the December 2014 ISW:

  • Great facilitators, everyone had great tips. I felt very supported and encouraged. Time management was great, rooms were well appointed; I liked the podium tutorial. Thanks for always having coffee and snacks! Such a valuable 3 days and I know I’m going to implement ideas for January’s semester.
  • This was a transformative experience. It provided me with the opportunity to really take some risks in a safe and supportive environment. It also enabled me to receive feedback in a positive way.
  • The mini lessons were actually much better than I thought they would be! Very valuable in trying things out in a “safe” environment. Seeing what other instructors do and ideas are great because there isn’t much chance to interact with such a diverse group.
  • AWESOME! I really enjoyed it and look forward to future workshops.
  • Really enjoyed the learning atmosphere with the group.
  • I learned different kinds of teaching techniques from the peers. Everybody was open minded and very generous to share their experiences, especially the facilitators.

 

Here’s what an ISW participant had to say about her experience in the August 2014 ISW:

  • Just a note to say thank you for an unforgettable learning experience from the ISW. Now that I have completed my first week’s teaching at Langara, I would like to happily report that I have tried to use many tools that I learned from the workshop and it worked wonderfully with the students. For instance, when I discussed Partnerships (BTW, I teach accounting) with students, I used images to make the lecture more interesting. I also partnered students up when explaining the characteristics of partnerships. Students had fun and they actively participated in the learning process. At the end of the class, I asked two students to present their solutions for the in-class exercises on the whiteboard and the rest of the class to critique and they were able to discover the tiny mistakes the presenters made, using what they learned in the class… and I can tell that the learning objectives were achieved.

 

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the August 2014 ISW:

  • Workshop was great — can use the skills right away — mini lessons were great.
  • Feedback was great! Very supportive, enthusiastic atmosphere. Had lots of fun too!
  • Great to get to know other instructors.
  • BOPPPS very practical and easy to use.
  • Facilitators put a lot of effort into this — was amazing.
  • Excellent knowledge, resources and structure to the content taught — WOW — impressive.
  • Great course — recommend it.
  • I learned — especially appreciate the practical and learning of my teaching skills.

 

ISWgroup_August2014

The ISW group of participants and facilitators from the intensive 3-day workshop, August 26, 27 and 28, 2014.


Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the Spring 2014 ISW:

  • This experience has been directly applicable to my work right now.
  • The process of each participant giving a presentation [mini lesson] and receiving group feedback was an excellent way for all of us to learn.
  • What I liked best was the opportunity to take a “risk”.
  • The workshop provides a relaxed, comfortable environment to be creative.
  • The facilitators are engaging and knowledgeable.
  • I have attained the goals and more that I wanted to receive.
  • The breakout group size was approachable.
  • I loved the exercise of moving from individual learning activity/space to group activity. Keep it! I got great ideas and inspiration.
  • The morning large-group lessons were fabulous in their content and delivery. I like that so many resources are available.
  • Lots of learning from others.
  • I liked the flipped classroom exercise: helped me think outside the box.
  • The small presentation [mini lesson] group work was excellent. I really understand how to apply BOPPPS now.
  • I liked having the opportunity to work among peers, hear ideas about instructional strategies and to practice planning interactive lessons so I may receive helpful feedback.

 

Here’s what an ISW participant had to say about his experience in the December 2013 ISW:

  • I wanted to express again how wonderful I found the ISW. It took me a few days afterward to realize how profoundly it affected me; somehow, I was a different person on the Friday afterwards than I was on the Tuesday morning of the first class. While I was hoping to survive the workshop –- and teaching in general –- by grasping the energy and affection I have for my field, I came to realize through the ISW that there is a facet of something within me that I hadn’t known was there. I’m really looking forward to my first class.

— Rob Atkins
Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the August 2013 ISW:

  • This was an enormously helpful workshop. It confirmed things that I knew, but expanded other ideas. It was great to be involved in pedagogical activities again and feel part of the college culture/faculty life!.
  • I got what I wanted out of this workshop, and much more. It was well worth my time, and looking forward to integrate as much of it as possible in my courses. Thx.
  • This workshop has been invaluable beyond all my expectations. I feel more confident now as a new-ish teacher, and I have learned tools & techniques I can apply to teaching; also, learning about my learning style and other styles was enlightening and will greatly assist me in delivering effective education to all types of learners.
  • Amazing, wonderful. Thank you!
  • The workshop and the whole process were exhausting but worthwhile. There was a good balance (for me) of collaborative and experiential learning and also hearing from “the experts”, who were sometimes other participants. Thank you to the facilitators for this experience and for creating the supportive, safe environment and for listening to the feedback.
  • I achieved what I came for in that I feel connected to others who are a resource to me and vice versa.
  • I very much enjoyed the workshop, very inspiring and I personally feel I have made great improvements and forward movement in the process of presentations. The facilitators were engaging and approachable; I like the format of ISW and would really recommend this process. I like how warm and invited the facilitators made me feel. Great healthy snacks, too.
  • Working in small teams helped develop trust and let us take risks. Expanded our knowledge and our self-confidence.
  • Excellent facilitators. Very safe and supportive environment. Experiential and applied activities were very valuable.
  • Loved every moment of it. Invaluable and (this is no understatement) life-changing. My favourite parts were being broken off in our little groups although I hugely enjoyed everything in the big group as well.
  • I appreciated the opportunity each day to track my progression as an instructor – VERY useful. Also, the opportunity receive feedback and learn by watching other styles. I learned more from fellow participants than facilitators.

 

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the Spring 2013 ISW:

  • This is a very valuable workshop for all teachers. A place to reflect on our practice and modify it, to match the changing personalities, multi-culture and varied age groups in the current classes.
  • Thank you. You have renewed my passion. 🙂
  • Great work by facilitators — appreciate their effort and time.
  • Great learning experience; lots learned.
  • Appreciate facilitators taking time to give this intense a course (workshop).
  • I found the ISW very helpful. There was a good variety of information to take back to the classroom. Thank you!!
  • The most valuable part of the workshop was the effort everybody made to contribute into “learning about learning”.
  • I appreciated the facilitator’s own experience in our group.

 

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the December 2012 ISW:

  • It was an epiphany for me.
  • Great group. I came away with more confidence and tools.
  • Huge THANK YOU to the facilitators! Great Job!
  • I appreciated the effort, care and energy of the facilitators. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us.
  • I thought it was great, valuable, time well spent.
  • I truly enjoyed the three-day workshop. Wonderful to hear some personal experiences.

 

Here’s what ISW participants had to say about their experience in the August 2012 ISW:

  • I absolutely loved the ISW…
  • Logistically, the whole thing is so well covered. The facilitators are super approachable, real, and [provide] such support. I believe in my capability to be of value in the times of lectures/presentations and, in fact, I am excited about my new-found confidence!! It is amazing that this is a “free” program. Thank you a million, and I am feeling “fearless and free”!!
  • Continue to deliver the high standard [of] education as you are doing now and I am inspired by you!
  • Great timing in preparation for next term. Please let us know of on-going workshops. Many thanks.

 

The most valuable part of the workshop was:

  • practical experience; opportunity to try new techniques with instant feedback.
  • great to work with my fellow instructors. There should be more opportunities to do so.
  • the 3 mini-lessons. As a very new instructor, having all the valuable feedback was amazing.
  • sharing ideas and resources helps a lot for me to manage a real class.
  • all of it: networking, seeing other teaching styles, learning styles, being forced out of my comfort zone for teaching.
  • all was valuable; opportunity to give and receive feedback and to attend and give lessons was great.
  • ability to practice in a safe and comfortable environment.
  • meeting other instructors. Learning tips and tricks; hearing other stories.
  • exchanging different teaching strategies, ideas for activities. I came away with lots of fresh ideas I’m excited to implement in my course!
  • strengthening the idea of working within a structure AND clearly defining the elements of that structure; teaching us how to make all that our own.
  • interaction with other participants; observing other learning styles.
  • the opportunity to teach and receive the constructive, caring, and invaluable feedback!!
  • Really, everything. I am working away with not only a sense of confidence but with a bigger bag of tricks to pull out and make the classroom a more active and participatory environment.

 

For information about the ISW, please contact Parisa Zitouni, phone 604.323.5511 Ext. 2612