What is the IB Curriculum?

When teaching overseas, you will find that many schools look for teachers who possess IB experience. However, to obtain IB training you must be working at IB schools so although it seems like a catch 22, there are possibilities for schools to hire teachers with no IB experience and teach them as they go along. We currently work with a few schools who hire great teachers even though they do not have any IB experience and pay for their training. However, the bulk of schools prefer experienced staff.

What makes IB so popular and unique?  To understand IB we must refer back to its roots.  The IB program stands for “International Baccalaureate” it was created in Switzerland in 1968. It has become popular for setting high standards in education with a huge emphasis on critical thinking and creativity. The IB curriculum utilizes inquiry-based learning models of education.  Inquiry- Based Learning methodology nurtures  great problem-solving abilities as this model  starts by posing questions, problems or scenarios—rather than simply presenting established facts or solutions. Students must act as problem solvers or detectives. The IB curriculum matches the standards set for 21^st century learning (Communication, Collaboration, Critical thinking, Creativity). Besides being responsible for their own learning and choosing their own projects and topics, the IB program requires students to complete community service projects thus aiming to develop well rounded global citizens who assist in creating a better world through  cultivation of intercultural awareness, international-mindedness and global citizenship.

What is the role of the teacher? Because IB students are responsible for their own learning, selecting their own topics and completing projects, teachers take the role of supervisors or mentors gently guided the student that works more independently. IB emphasizes research and encourages students to peer assess each other and learn from their peers. In addition, teachers encourage students to speak in front their classmates, voice their opinions and take initiative in their work.

What does the curriculum look like? The IB curriculum consists of five “areas of interaction”. These are  approaches to learning, community and service, human ingenuity, environments, and health and social education , in addition to the core and foundational school subjects, plus technology and a foreign language. At the end, students complete a personal project based on personal interests. The personal project demonstrates initiative and independent learning while emphasizing inquiry based learning methods of learning.