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International Baccaleurate School definition?

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 17:36

What is the most simple way to explain an IB curriculum school to someone who has never heard of it?

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86

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 14:32

And as any IB student knows, you must define your terms before beginning anything so here goes: IB-International Baccalaureate: A program created somewhere in Europe a long time ago which takes everything your average student is supposed to know and multiplies it by ten.

232

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 18:23

I did the IB and although it was hard work, especially with the Diploma, it was a blast. Loved it and I would put my kids through it too :P :) Great to hear. We enrolled DS into an IB primary school for September.

5400

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 16:21

Amandashaks, please could you tell me about the IB Diploma being a blast, so I can pass it on to dorter who only realizes it will be very hard work that she's not sure she wants to undertake? (Just to add, for the sake of clarity, the IB Diploma is the equivalent of the exams taken in most countries to qualify for university entry, taken at the age of 18, and not the equivalent of British GCSE's, which are normally taken at the age of 16.)

284

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 16:02

I did the IB and although it was hard work, especially with the Diploma, it was a blast. Loved it and I would put my kids through it too :P

Singapore Sling

243

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 15:55

The IB Diploma is accepted at many Chinese universities FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS provided the student has an HSK score of 6+. Local Chinese is not accepted wioth an IB at University level as per reasons amongst others as pointed out by Mrs L.

436

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 15:18

I like to think of it as the natural progression of montessori. Play based learning which evolves into activity based and project based learning. I would not be surprised if it was the leading form of education across the world in the future. I've always been a fan of this style of learning. Unfortunatley though, the diploma is not accepted across universities as readilly as graduating from the British system... So if you are thinking of a pathway to uni, this is something that parents have to factor in. All it means in practice is that you have to apply to uni for admission 'ad eundum statum' as with any other non-British qualification, which is no big deal, just another form to fill in. The IB diploma is viewed as being at least equivalent to British GCSE ones and some courses prefer it because of the breadth of subjects studied and the extended essay, 150 hours community service and theory of knowledge components. I don't think china is a good example do you? They don't like it because it encourages people to question the world around them, and to think for themselves....not what china wants at all. In fact is it china that has labelled in a cult? Yes, each university has its own entrance requirements and they choose how to recognise the diploma. However, unfortunatley, some universities and even countries like China do not recognise the IB diploma. This is where parents need to do research (and the kids of course)... For example, if your child shows an apptitude in science, it would be good to contact the top universities who specialise in this field and ask them which system they desire more... I love the methodology of the IB system, I think it is more realistic and practical, requiring the students to have a thirst for knowledge. This is essential to their lives. However, until the IB system is embraced as it no doubt will be, I think it is important to research how universities value the IB system (if , of course you are aiming at this pathway)

Singapore Sling

243

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 15:04

I do not agree that it is an easy option. Neither do I think that it is an impossible option for most. It is a programme that upholds a global standard of excellence. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in the UK published an expert 79 page report on the equivalency between British A Levels and the IB Diploma. The report gives some strong conclusions about the extremely high value of the IB Diploma in the UK. Some of these may be summarised as follows: * A Grade 7 (highest) in IB Higher Level is worth much more than a Grade A in an A Level * The ISM average IB diploma score of 33 points is worth more than four A grades at A Level! * A Grade 7 (highest) in IB Standard Level is worth much more than a Grade A in an AS Level * In some subjects a grade 7 in IB at only Standard Level is worth the same as a Grade A in a full A Level The report clearly demonstrates the huge value placed on an IB Diploma by UK universities, and gives an indication of its worth worldwide. This was in 2006. I can only imagine what results would look like some 6 years later. http://www.ucas.com/documents/tariff/tariff_reports/ibreport.pdf http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/5156108.stm http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2006/jul/07/schools.alevels

KarenBlixen1369

143

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 11:13

Just as an aside... I think it's worth pointing out that the IB bears no relation whatsoever to the French Baccalaureat. The French version is *much* more academic, whereas the IB, as several posters said, is more focused on projects. Personally I took one IB subject in addition to the French bac (just in lieu of a 'mock' as the curriculum was similar, but the exam took place earlier) and I found it much easier. Admittedly, that was many years ago, but at the time many schools considered the IB as an 'easy option' compared to the more traditional curricula. Universities held similar views as they were often much more demanding (i.e. required higher marks) from IB students than from A Level or French bac graduates. Having said that. there does seem to be quite a lot of positive press about the IB at the moment. But I think it's worth noting that although the IB is internationally recognised, not everyone is convinced that its standards are high.

232

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 10:34

I like to think of it as the natural progression of montessori. Play based learning which evolves into activity based and project based learning. I would not be surprised if it was the leading form of education across the world in the future. I've always been a fan of this style of learning. Unfortunatley though, the diploma is not accepted across universities as readilly as graduating from the British system... So if you are thinking of a pathway to uni, this is something that parents have to factor in. All it means in practice is that you have to apply to uni for admission 'ad eundum statum' as with any other non-British qualification, which is no big deal, just another form to fill in. The IB diploma is viewed as being at least equivalent to British GCSE ones and some courses prefer it because of the breadth of subjects studied and the extended essay, 150 hours community service and theory of knowledge components. Yes, each university has its own entrance requirements and they choose how to recognise the diploma. However, unfortunatley, some universities and even countries like China do not recognise the IB diploma. This is where parents need to do research (and the kids of course)... For example, if your child shows an apptitude in science, it would be good to contact the top universities who specialise in this field and ask them which system they desire more... I love the methodology of the IB system, I think it is more realistic and practical, requiring the students to have a thirst for knowledge. This is essential to their lives. However, until the IB system is embraced as it no doubt will be, I think it is important to research how universities value the IB system (if , of course you are aiming at this pathway)

Annabelle0921001

236

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 09:25

what are the IB schools you recommend here in Dubai??

222

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 09:11

I like to think of it as the natural progression of montessori. Play based learning which evolves into activity based and project based learning. I would not be surprised if it was the leading form of education across the world in the future. I've always been a fan of this style of learning. Unfortunatley though, the diploma is not accepted across universities as readilly as graduating from the British system... So if you are thinking of a pathway to uni, this is something that parents have to factor in. All it means in practice is that you have to apply to uni for admission 'ad eundum statum' as with any other non-British qualification, which is no big deal, just another form to fill in. The IB diploma is viewed as being at least equivalent to British GCSE ones and some courses prefer it because of the breadth of subjects studied and the extended essay, 150 hours community service and theory of knowledge components.

Singapore Sling

243

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 18:23

The IB site gives great insight into the programme. http://www.ibo.org/ and for the primary section see the video on this page http://www.ibo.org/pyp/ Basil, it certainly is not more for Europeans - on the contrary. Content is also not Eurocentric, but internationally minded :) Take a look at the stats: http://www.ibo.org/facts/schoolstats/progsbycountry.cfm

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 17:56

I wish they had this when I went to school. I used to get so bored at school. This type of learning would of fit me like a glove! I think in a few years time the world will catch up with the IB programme just like they did with the Montessori method. :)

YorkshirePud40863

190

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 17:47

Helpful post, I was wondering about this too :)

232

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 17:43

I like to think of it as the natural progression of montessori. Play based learning which evolves into activity based and project based learning. I would not be surprised if it was the leading form of education across the world in the future. I've always been a fan of this style of learning. Unfortunatley though, the diploma is not accepted across universities as readilly as graduating from the British system... So if you are thinking of a pathway to uni, this is something that parents have to factor in.

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 15:15

Thanks Gleeky! :)

gleekfamily24043

481

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 14:34

Does that mean loads of homework? I don't know if generally it does or doesn't in IB. But in homeschooling there generally isn't a lot of homework and in our case my son's teacher (IB) doesn't give much homework as her personal style of teaching. The amount of HW he gets SHOULD take an average student 1/2 hour to an hour to complete. Plus 1/2 hour of reading. However my son takes much longer than that as he needs a little more help. IB is growing in popularity in the US. Our school district in Texas had IB programs running in public schools. Not sure how it's doing there though.

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 13:44

Does that mean loads of homework?

gleekfamily24043

481

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 13:38

From our experience, IB is a lot more like homeschooling in the approach to teaching. A lot like what laralara said.

845

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 13:37

It's more for the Europeans , but in saying that some OZ schools have brought it in as well. Most International schools in Asia have them as people travel around a lot, so their children can adjust easy. When they are starting to think of uni IB sometimes is easier for different Universities to work out their grades

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 13:32

Thanks :)

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 11:39

The IB Program focuses on teaching children how to think and how to learn by asking questions and finding answers themselves rather than on memorizing facts. They learn through projects and research. It can be difficult for those children who benefit from a more structured curriculum though.

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