Lessons To Learn From The International Baccalaureate

Teaching students to learn and try to make more sense of the world is the primary focus of The International Baccalaureate or IB model of education. This philosophy is gaining momentum in schools across the globe as they help children become better thinkers who are capable not only of working and learning independently but also in collaboration with people working with them.

What is the International Baccalaureate?

IB is an accredited, global program of learning that aims at developing cultural awareness and honing a broader skill set in children. This mode of teaching was developed in the year 1968 in Geneva and garnered a lot of attention worldwide because of the holistic approach to learning. This program implements four levels of education including:

• The Primary Years Program, targeted at students between the ages of 3-12 years
• The Middle Years Program, targeted at students between the ages of 11-16 years
• The Diploma Program, targeted at students between the ages of 16-19 years
• IB Career related program, targeted at students between the ages of 16-19 years

Lessons to learn from the IB

Through its unique approach, the International Baccalaureate sets some precedents for educationists and teachers across the world. Some lessons to learn from IB are:

• Give students academic breadth:

  Until class 10, IB makes it compulsory for students to study all subjects including the STEM subjects. It is only after this that they are allowed to discontinue certain subjects and choose the ones that they are more inclined towards. This not only helps them learn the subjects that they need to know but also helps them shift focus when they are mature enough.

• Provide flexibility of choice:

  The option of being able to discontinue certain subjects in Grade 10 allows students to be prepared for a career path that they dream of from a younger age. No matter what subjects they choose, the program is designed to challenge the student’s minds while preparing the students for various career options available in these streams.

• Expose children to international contexts as well:

  The teachers in IB schools are encouraged to use international references while delivering the curriculum. This prepares students for rapid globalization and teaches them about various countries along with their own.

• Respect other cultures:

  IB is a mode of teaching applied in most international schools. This exposes students to others from different countries and cultural backgrounds. The program works towards helping them learn about these cultures and develop a sense of respect and interest in each of them.

• Hone the unique skills of each child:

  IB is entirely focused on the learners. It encourages extra-curricular activities including arts, music, athletics, and more. As a result, all the skills of the student are honed to make them more holistic.

• Inspire them to be thinkers:

  The mode of teaching and the projects offered by IB inspire students to question, think, and learn better. It values research and understanding of various subjects to make students more independent and curious.

Canadian International School is one of the Top IB Schools in India and constantly works on integrating technology to make learning more fun and easy.