My ib how to#

In doing so, they reflected on the global environmental and human costs of manufacturing and distributing the cheap clothes they often bought, and they empathised with those involved - such as the communities affected and young women, like themselves, who sewed their clothing in often appalling factory conditions. In a year 9 unit on fast fashion, for instance, my students investigated the ethical standards and life cycles of their favourite clothing brands.

This holistic approach appealed to me as an educator and informed the lessons I taught. The most obvious difference is the IB enables students to move seamlessly between its programs in other states, territories and countries, while state and territory-based frameworks don't.Īdditionally, IB programs, especially the DP, are geared towards university, international study and employment, while mainstream senior school frameworks, such as the VCE and HSC, cater to all Australian students - providing a broad range of education and job pathways.Īnother distinctive feature of the IB is its emphasis on developing the whole child - cultivating personal and academic growth. The differences between IB and mainstream education frameworks The CP has the least uptake in Australia but is the fastest growing program globally. The Career-related Program (CP) is for students aged 16 to 19, offering a vocational pathway alongside academic studies. The DP favours academically inclined students. It's a demanding two-year pre-university course culminating in the IB Diploma. The Diploma Program (DP) is for students aged 16 to 19. The Middle Years Program (MYP) is for students aged 11 to 16, fostering empathetic, active learners who make connections between their studies and the real world.

My ib how to#

It focuses on child development, learning how to learn, developing self-sufficiency and exploring their place in the world.

The Primary Years Program (PYP) is for students aged 3 to 12. Because of this, schools generally don't allow students to switch to the DP once they commence year 12. Then the rigorous and academic nature of the IB's senior program, the Diploma Program (DP), makes transition tough.Ĭhanging during years 11 and 12 can also be problematic in terms of subject selection, as subjects differ between systems. Students can transfer between IB and other systems fairly easily until years 11 and 12. Some schools offer dual streams of IB and state/territory-based curriculum.

IB programs can be taken consecutively or independently. As a secondary teacher who taught at an IB school for six years, I referred to it while planning lessons and in the classroom.Īt my school, years 7 to 10 undertook the IB's Middle Years Program (MYP), while senior students studied the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). The Profile is also used to guide teaching and learning. The IB is a holistic approach that focuses on personal development and academic breadth.Īt its heart lies the Learner Profile - ten attributes that students should aspire to, including being caring, principled and curious. The IB Diploma is recognised by all Australian universities and by 140 universities around the world. The IB operates independently of the Australian Curriculum, however, its primary and middle-years programs accommodate the learning objectives and milestones mandated in the Curriculum. Originating in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland, the IB now operates in more than 5,600 schools across 159 countries.Ĭurrently, in Australia, 209 schools offer one or more IB programs. To offer IB programs, schools must be authorised as IB World Schools. The IB focuses on developing international-mindedness and critical thinking in students. The programs are geared towards university preparation, culminating in the IB Diploma - a globally recognised educational qualification. The IB is a non-profit educational foundation offering four programs for children aged three to 19. But what is the IB and is it right for your child? The IB in a nutshell Maybe the school you're considering offers an IB program. You might have heard the term IB bandied about the school gate or in the media. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is becoming a popular alternative to the mainstream curriculum in Australian schools.

However, it can be tricky knowing exactly what's on offer so you can make the best decision for your child's education. No two students are alike and different approaches suit different learners. But scratch the surface and you'll discover our schools offer a host of educational approaches with curricula that prioritise everything from the arts to environmentalism to sport and more. Broadly speaking, in Australia, we have government, Catholic and independent school systems.