Program Requirements

Hexagon

It is . . .

• Pragmatic —the need to provide a school leaving diploma that is widely recognized in different countries and universities around the world as providing an excellent foundation for further study, professional and personal life

It is . . .

• Idealistic —creating a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect

• Pedagogical —the promotion of a broad-based education that develops critical and creative thinking skills and focuses on learning how to learn.

Diploma Requirements

• 1 course form each of 6 Groups– 3 HL – 3 SL

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)• Extended Essay• 150 hours Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

HL vs. SL

• Higher Level– 240 hours of instruction– Usually 3 components for external assessment

• Standard Level– 150 hours of instruction– Usually 2 components for external assessment

Group 1 - Language A1

• Primary Language• Literature Study• IA - Oral Component• External Assessment - 2 Exam papers and a

World Lit Paper

Group 2 - Second Language

• enable students to understand and use the language they have studied in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes

• encourage, through the study of texts and through social interaction, an awareness and appreciation of the different perspectives of people from other cultures

• Variety of levels depending on the students prior proficiency with the language

Language Options

• Language A2: for students with an already high level of competence in the target language

• Language B (HL & SL): for students with some previous experience of learning the target language

• Ab Initio: for students who have no previous experience of learning the target language (Technically an SL course, but must be examined in the second year)

Group 3 - Individuals & Societies

• History• Geography• Economics• Psychology• Business Management

• Social & Cultural Anthropology

• World Religions• Philosophy• World Arts and Cultures

(SL)• Ecosystems & Societies

(SL)

Group 4 - Experimental Sciences

• Biology• Chemistry• Physics• Design Technology• Environmental Systems

Group 5 - Mathematics & Computer Science

• Computer Science• Mathematical Studies (SL)• Mathematics• Further Mathematics (SL)

Group 6 - The Arts

• Theatre• Film• Visual Arts• Music• Dance • World Arts and Cultures (SL)• Text and performance (SL)

Theory of Knowledge

• Interdisciplinary course designed to stimulate reflection on the experience of learning both in and out of the classroom

• Explores the basis of knowledge in and between all disciplines

• Trains students to develop rational arguments on a variety of topics

• Internal Assessment - Presentation• External Assessment - Essay on prescribed question

Extended Essay

• Independent research paper of 4,000 words• School mentor• Topics outside of classroom material• Designed to encourage independent learning• Available in all subjects as well as Human

Rights and peace and Conflict Studies• Externally Assessed

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

• 50 hours of each• Educate the whole person• Appoint a CAS Coordinator

Exams

• Up to 2 SL subjects can be tested at the end of the first year (except ab initio language)

• The remaining subjects are tested at the end of the second year.

Factors to Consider

• Local curriculum requirements• Staffing• Longevity• Variety

IB Diploma

• Minimum 24 points (restrictions on p. 220)• No of F in EITHER EE to ToK• Completion of CAS

Choosing Courses

• Accessibility– Scheduling– Difficulty

• Languages– variety of levels– Native speakers?– Staffing

Choosing courses

• New Online courses• School based syllabi• Pilot Courses