To IB or not to IB….?
In my work as the Head of an IB World School, I often meet parents of prospective Grade 11 entrants who are confused about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). In this piece I look at the benefits to the student in taking on and completing the full Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12.
Concepts
Understanding and internalizing concepts of each discipline rather than learning large chunks of information by rote, allows a student to recognize the nature of each subject, to learn the content, skills and dispositions of the subject, then apply their learning to other contexts, to self-assess, ultimately to become independent, lifelong learners.
Connect
Approaches to learning based on acquiring and applying skills allow students to explore subject material through assignments and projects. Students make connections across disciplines and build multi-disciplinary perspectives.
Collaborate
Working in groups, learning together, building meaning in a collaborative environment, allows students to work in teams, to appreciate other view points, to listen and grow the complex perspectives that the 21st century requires them to have.In learning another language these perspectives broaden as does the ability to appreciate other cultures.
To learn how to learn, to develop broader perspectives, to appreciate complexity and to gain confidence in one’s ability to continue learning in any environment, makes an IB DP graduate well prepared to handle tertiary education anywhere in the world.
