IB Approaches to teaching are focused on conceptual understanding

Concepts are explored in order to both deepen disciplinary understandings and to help students make connections and transfer learning to new contexts

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Read excerpts from IB documents (.PDF 443 KB)

Reflect on what you are learning

In your most recent unit/topic, how often did you:

  • help students to see the “big ideas” behind a topic?

  • help students to see patterns and connections?

  • encourage students to transfer their learning to new contexts?

Corwin Press shares the key to unlocking conceptual understanding: Uncover and Transfer. From Tools for Teaching Conceptual Understanding, Secondary, by Julie Stern, Krista Ferraro, and Juliet Mohnkern

FREE Nano PD: Concept-based learning

Consider the practices and strategies that support students to inquire at a conceptual level. While designed for PYP teachers, this Nano is beneficial for all teachers.

Find the section in the Teacher Self-reflection Guide to capture your ideas.

Navigating the IB Programme Resource Center (PRC)

 

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Further reading to understand the IB

 

Read the Brookings Institute case study Transcending borders: The International Baccalaureate’s systemic approach to educating the whole person by Whitney Hegseth (2023)

  • How is the IB explained in this case study?

  • How might the Brookings explanation contribute to your thoughts about the difference between an IB World School and a school with an IB programme?

  • How does this article expand your understanding of IB Approaches to Teaching?

US Growth Access and Outcomes Final Report (2024)

This newly published report contains a rich array of graphics, data, and testimonies that consolidate a number of research study findings. This is an ideal resource to either distribute as a whole, or draw from to strategically present relevant topics, to address misconceptions and re-write narratives.