All You Need to Know about IB Curriculum

1. All You Need to Know about IB Curriculum An increasingly popular alternative to CBSE, ICSE and even the Cambridge Board in India is the Switzerland-headquartered IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum. Even a few years ago, IB was not that popular in India. But, there has been a significant increase in its demand and the total number of schools affiliated with it. India ranks sixth in the world in teaching the IB board, with around 169 schools in the country offering the course. What is it that compels you to choose IB? The main reason for this includes the growing recognition of the scope of the curriculum. Another factor is that IB has become a talking point among many and most of the top and international schools are offering it. Let us try to understand what makes this course unique and whether it can be a perfect fit for your kids. IB Curriculum: History & Overview Since its inception in 1968, the IB curriculum has spread to over 150 countries with over 4,000 schools. It focuses on developing an inquisitive mind and knowledge and motivating youngsters with its holistic approach, which has attracted many parents to opt for this board. The IB program is a curricular framework that includes various programs of education, which are offered to children aged 3 to 19 in various schools around the world.

2. With a rigorous, balanced approach, IB aims to prepare students for the social, emotional, and logistical challenges of a college education. Therefore, schools that follow the IB curriculum not only provide content, but also focus on inculcating important skills in areas such as analytical thinking and problem solving in order to make students successful learners and well-rounded people who will be successful today and in the future. are planned for. The IB curriculum is made up of these academic programs: ● ● ● The Primary Years Programme: ( PYP – Kindergarten to Class 5) The Middle Years Programme: (MYP – Class 6 to Class 10) The Diploma Programme: ( DP – Class 11 to Class 12) IB Curriculum: Structure 1. The Primary Years Programme For students in the age group of 3 to 12 years, IB - PYP focuses on building the first stage of education among children. Guided by 6 transdisciplinary subjects of global importance, the IB curriculum allows students to enhance their education by developing their logical understanding and sharpening their knowledge and skills across subject areas. It consists of 3 sections: Written Curriculum ● Manual to detail the imparted knowledge, skills, and attitudes taken during the whole program. It answers questions related to the coursework and what all are there in the curriculum. ● Taught Curriculum ● Based on the fundamental depths of learning, and identifies lessons that can be deeply implanted. It explains the elements of the environment, tone, and pedagogy, specific to a chapter. ● Assessment Curriculum ● ● All about assessing what a student has learned in a stress-free and efficient model. It aims to measure the learning gained. It covers 5 important elements: Knowledge This element represents common subject areas: math, science, language, social studies, arts, PSPE, and transdisciplinary.

3. Concepts Students explore through organized inquiry to develop logical, in-depth understanding. Skills Students develop broad capabilities and apply them during learning and in real life beyond the classroom. Attitudes International-mindedness and the wellbeing of a person and learning communities that connect to the IB learner profile directly. Action Successful inquiry and understanding lead to responsible, thoughtful, and appropriate action. Assessments: The IB curriculum does not come with exams or grades for students in PYP. It is a self-learning approach, as they have the privilege to decide how much and to what level they want to study. It aims to inculcate a sense of responsibility in the students, especially at an early age. However, a PYP exhibition is organized in the final year of PYP. It is essentially an inquiry-based, real-life project that a student is required to undertake on their own from start to finish. The Middle Years Programme Creating a bridge between studies and the real world, the IB - MYP is for students aged 11 to 16. The curriculum allows students to inquire about a range of topics and ideas, not only locally, but also nationally and internationally. Students have to choose one of the courses they wish to study from 8 different groups: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Language Acquisition Language and Literature Individuals and Societies Sciences Maths Arts Physical and Health Education Design The MYP requires that each subject be taught for at least 50 hours each year. In addition to regular learning, students are required to involve themselves in at least 1 collaboratively planned interdisciplinary unit comprising at least 2 subject groups.

4. Students will also have the opportunity to complete a long-term project, where they can decide what they want to learn, come up with an idea for the project, and create a proposal to see it through. There are various modes of operation that schools can choose from, giving students a fresh and different learning experience. Discrete Discipline Learning Each discipline under a subject is studied separately. For example:- Physics, Chemistry & Biology will be taught, assessed, and graded separately. Integrated Discipline Learning Different disciplines of a subject are studied in unity. For example:- Physics, Chemistry & Biology will be taught, assessed, and graded as one, under Science. Modular Learning Different disciplines in rotation, as modules. For example:- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology will be studied in rotation, as modules, but will be assessed and graded as one. Assessments: Students are assessed through MYP e-Assessment, following which they are awarded a certificate of completion. In addition, external moderation is imperative. It is a trusted, globally consistent and highly innovative assessment model that helps students achieve better results and provides better quality assurance. Evaluation is conducted in 2 ways: E-portfolio A portfolio of the work done in a specific course, up for grading by the examiner. On-screen examinations Students have to give their exams online. Each test of each subject lasts for 2 hours. The MYP program prepares students for the Diploma Program by reflecting the depth, breadth and balance that characterize all IB programs. In the final 2 years of the MYP, students and their families work with their IB World School to make important decisions about subject choice, qualifications and career opportunities. The Diploma Programme Providing extended education in selected subjects, DP is for students in the age group of 16 to 19 years. Students are exposed to higher studies in multiple subjects, which helps them to gain a deeper understanding and thus, make the right decision for the college. The curriculum of the program consists of DP Core and 6 IB subjects.

5. DP-Core Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Innovative, Action, Society. IB-DP Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individual and Society, Science, Mathematics and the Arts. The Assessment Program has proven to be your ticket to your dream universities across the globe. Each student has to choose different courses from each subject group, and at least 3 subjects have to be taken at the Higher Level (HL), and the rest at the Standard Level (SL). While grading is calculated in the same way, both the levels differ in the scope of learning, concepts taught, and understanding of the subject matter. HL students are considered to have better skills and understanding of the subject. While for HL subjects a student is required to learn 240 hours, a student is required to learn 150 hours for SL subjects. Assessments: There are both internal and external assessments during the course. In the final Diploma score, the DP-Score can contribute up to 3 points. Each element is examined independently through interactive methods such as oral presentations, essays and projects. Thus, the student becomes more introspective, innovative and an independent thinker. Internal Subject Assessment: It is purely classwork assessment and teacher's comments. Assessment is done throughout the year, and the grade on a single assignment can be a significant factor in a student's grade. External Subject Assessment: This forms the basis of assessment for most courses with a high degree of objectivity and dependability. For example, students are asked to work on essays, well-designed problems, short-answer questions, case studies, etc. When it comes to grading, students get grades between 7 and 1 (highest and 1 lowest) for each subject. The Diploma is awarded to students who obtain a minimum score of 24, including satisfactory performance on elements of the DP Core. In addition, a Bilingual Diploma is awarded to students who achieve a grade 3 or higher in two of the DP's chosen languages. IB: Right or Wrong? Above all - more important than transferability, more important than any particular factor - what really matters is whether the course is right for you. While each child is unique and has their own needs and learning styles, there may be some general threads that make the curriculum work better for your child.

6. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether an IB curriculum might be a good fit. The IB curriculum is a great option for many students; However, the decision as to which school and course is best is a very personal one. In general, if your family is looking for a globally focused education that will prepare your children for university and beyond, the IB curriculum is a great option.