Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

The IBO’s goal: to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, make wise choices, and respect others in the global community © IBO 2004

IBO Mission Statement The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

 challenging two-year pre-university course with rigorous internal and external assessment  for highly motivated students who are well organised  for ages 16 to 19 The Diploma Programme Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

What makes the Diploma Programme different?  comprehensive, two-year curriculum with an international focus  international standards, applied equally to all students in all schools  rigorous assessment without statistical interference  combines breadth with depth  emphasizes critical, compassionate thinking  promotes a global perspective Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Access to Universities IB diploma graduates have access to the world’s leading universities, and are better prepared for success at university Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme the curriculum Theory of Knowledge the arts & electives language A1 (first language) extended essay experimental sciences group 4 group 1 group 6 group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics © IBO 2004

stimulates critical reflection on knowledge and experience students examine the grounds for moral, political, scientific and aesthetic judgments Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service © IBO 2004

... wise choices & cultural perspective  to question the bases of knowledge  to be aware of subjective and ideological biases  to develop the ability to analyse evidence  to develop an appreciation of other cultural perspectives Diploma Programme © IBO 2004 Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service TOK challenges students

TOK encourages students to reflect on questions such as these: Is the scientific method a process unique to Western culture, or is it universal? Do people with different cultural or linguistic backgrounds live, in some sense, in different worlds? © IBO 2004 Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma is about educating the whole person Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) helps students become responsible, compassionate citizens Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Interpreted broadly: arts activities but also creativity shown in designing and implementing service projects Diploma Programme Creativity © IBO 2004

Participation in individual and team sports but also taking part in expeditions, local and international projects Action Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Community and social service activities, for example: helping children with special needs visiting hospitals working with elderly citizens refugees or homeless people Environmental projects Diploma Programme Service © IBO 2004

Extended essay (4,000 words or less) Acquaints diploma candidates with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities Diploma Programme © IBO 2004  An opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest to the student  A way to add breadth to the course  A way to deepen studies: selecting a topic in one of the student’s subjects

What is involved in the Extended Essay?  can be written in any of the subjects in the student’s programme  is recommended to take up to 40 hours of private study and writing time  is undertaken with the help of a supervisor Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Extended essay topics vary widely (some examples)  The effects of acid rain on the environment, with a focus on plant life (biology)  The contribution of international organizations to the economic development of Geneva (economics)  The mathematics of nature: the relationship between fractals, chaos and iteration (mathematics)  An appraisal of the role of Captain William Bligh in the mutiny on HMS Bounty (history) © IBO 2004 Diploma Programme

Six subjects studied concurrently one subject from each of the six groups three subjects taken at higher level (HL) three subjects taken at standard level (SL) Requirements for the subjects group 6 experimental sciences © IBO 2004 The six academic subject groupings Theory of Knowledge the arts & electives group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 Experimental sciences Group 6

HL courses: 240 teaching hours recommended SL courses: 150 hours recommended Diploma Programme Teaching time Arts and Electives Experimental sciences Mathematics Theory of Knowledge arts and electives experimental sciences creativity, action, service mathematics GROUP 5 GROUP 6 experimental sciences the arts language A1 second language individuals and societies The six academic subject groupings group 6 experimental sciences Theory of Knowledge the arts & electives group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

English, or a self-taught language  encourages very good writing and oral skills and respect for the literary heritage of the first language  complemented by an international perspective through the study of world literature Arts and Electives Diploma Programme arts and electives mathematics © IBO 2004 group 1 language A1 group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subject groupings the arts & electives group 1 language A1 group 3 group 5 group 2 second language Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service individuals and societies group 4 mathematics

Diploma Programme  all diploma candidates must study a second language  aims to enable students to use the language in a range of contexts, for many purposes  focuses on written and spoken communication Arts and Electives Language A1 Experimental sciences Second Language Individuals and societies Mathematics arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics second language group 2 The six academic subject groupings group 6 experimental sciences the arts & electives group 1 language A1 group 3 group 5 group 2 second language Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme  second language- learners with previous experience - usually through school (B)  beginners (ab initio) Language A1 Experimental sciences Second Language Individuals and societies Mathematics individuals and societies second language Options : group 2 The six academic subject groupings © IBO 2004 group 6 experimental sciences Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service mathematics group 4 Individuals and society

Diploma Programme Arts and Electives Language A1 Experimental sciences Second Language Individuals and societies Mathematics arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics © IBO 2004 Psychology, Geography, History, individuals and societies group 3 The six academic subject groupings group 6 experimental sciences Theory of Knowledge the arts language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 group 1

Diploma Programme  practical laboratory skills  collaborative learning through an interdisciplinary project  awareness of moral and ethical issues  a sense of social responsibility, by examining local and global issues develop, encourage: Arts and Electives Language A1 Experimental sciences Individuals and societies arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics © IBO 2004 experimental sciences group 4 The six academic subject groupings group 6 experimenta l sciences the arts & electives group 1 language A1 group 3 group 5 group 2 second language Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service individuals and societies group 4 mathematics

Diploma Programme Biology Chemistry Physics arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics experimental sciences group 4 The six academic subject groupings group 6 experimental sciences Theory of Knowledge the arts & electives group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

aims to deepen student’s understanding of this discipline and to promote confidence and facility in the use of mathematical language. Diploma Programme arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics group 5 The six academic subject groupings group 6 experimental sciences the arts & electives group 1 language A1 group 3 group 5 group 2 second language Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service individuals and societies maths group 4 © IBO 2004  requirement for all diploma candidates  Maths options for different abilities and needs - Maths Studies SL - Maths SL

Visual Arts  emphasis on practical production by students and exploring creative work in a global context  electives: certain subjects from other groups Diploma Programme Language A1 the arts group 6 arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language mathematics The six academic subject groupings group 6 experimental sciences Theory of Knowledge the arts & electives group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme Assessing student work  Students have ample opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned  Most subjects have both internal (portfolios, orals, essays) and external (exams) assessments  Internal assessment is moderated by external moderators (mostly practicing teachers) whose marking is monitored.  External assessment is marked by examiners (mostly practicing teachers) all around the world. © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme Assessing student work  All subjects, whether HL or SL, are scored out of a maximum of 7 points.  Up to 3 bonus points are awarded for Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay.  Maximum score is 45 points, minimum acceptable score is 24 points. There are additional conditions. © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme © IBO 2004 End of Presentation If you have any questions, please contact Mr Les Pickett: – or just drop in at the office inside T7– the door’s open!

Diploma Programme © IBO 2004 The IB Programme is exciting Enjoy!