IB Matters: Recent Episodes
Jon Peterson
IB Matters is a podcast (established in April 2019) which brings listeners content related to International Baccalaureate (IB) education. It is for students, parents, and teachers interested in learning more about IB and for those working in IB schools wanting access to pedagogical support for their teaching.
Please listen, subscribe, and post a review to help us spread the word about the IB. Follow us on twitter @MattersIB and be sure to let us know what you would like to hear more about in future episodes.
The podcast is hosted in Minnesota by the MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) but is intended for a global audience.
Send us Fan Mail
In this series, which I’m calling the IB Course Description Project, we’re building an audio catalog of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) courses and Career-related Programme (CP) core experiences for students, parents, counselors, teachers, and colleges around the world.
Each episode brings the syllabus to life by exploring the learning, teaching, and student experience behind every course. These conversations can support course registration, help colleges better understand IB courses, introduce new teachers and counselors to the curriculum, or simply provide a deeper understanding of what makes each course unique.
Want to be part of the project? Use this form to enter your information or to nominate someone for the podcast.
Contact me (Jon Peterson) at IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Our teacher guide for Business Management is Brad Opfer - IBEN Certified trainer
Our teacher guide for both History and Economics is James Jones - IBEN Certified trainer
Subject brief links:
DP Business Management SL
DP Business Management HL
DP History Guide (first exams 2028)
DP Economics SL
DP Economics HL
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
In this series, which I’m calling the IB Course Description Project, we’re building an audio catalog of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) courses and Career-related Programme (CP) core experiences for students, parents, counselors, teachers, and colleges around the world.
Each episode brings the syllabus to life by exploring the learning, teaching, and student experience behind every course. These conversations can support course registration, help colleges better understand IB courses, introduce new teachers and counselors to the curriculum, or simply provide a deeper understanding of what makes each course unique.
Want to be part of the project? Use this form to enter your information or to nominate someone for the podcast.
Contact me (Jon Peterson) at IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Our teacher guide for History is James Jones - IBEN Certified trainer
Links:
DP History Guide (first exams 2028)
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
In this series, which I’m calling the IB Course Description Project, we’re building an audio catalog of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) courses and Career-related Programme (CP) core experiences for students, parents, counselors, teachers, and colleges around the world.
Each episode brings the syllabus to life by exploring the learning, teaching, and student experience behind every course. These conversations can support course registration, help colleges better understand IB courses, introduce new teachers and counselors to the curriculum, or simply provide a deeper understanding of what makes each course unique.
Want to be part of the project? Use this form to enter your information or to nominate someone for the podcast.
Contact me (Jon Peterson) at IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Our SEHS teacher guide is Anthony De Giorgio
Links:
Sports Exercise and Health Science subject guide
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
In this series, which I’m calling the IB Course Description Project, we’re building an audio catalog of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) courses and Career-related Programme (CP) core experiences for students, parents, counselors, teachers, and colleges around the world.
Each episode brings the syllabus to life by exploring the learning, teaching, and student experience behind every course. These conversations can support course registration, help colleges better understand IB courses, introduce new teachers and counselors to the curriculum, or simply provide a deeper understanding of what makes each course unique.
Want to be part of the project? Use this form to enter your information or to nominate someone for the podcast.
Contact me (Jon Peterson) at IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Our teacher guide for Visual arts is Abeera Atique
Links:
Visual Arts SL Subject guide
Visual Arts HL Subject guide
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
In this series, which I’m calling the IB Course Description Project, we’re building an audio catalog of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) courses and Career-related Programme (CP) core experiences for students, parents, counselors, teachers, and colleges around the world.
Each episode brings the syllabus to life by exploring the learning, teaching, and student experience behind every course. These conversations can support course registration, help colleges better understand IB courses, introduce new teachers and counselors to the curriculum, or simply provide a deeper understanding of what makes each course unique.
Want to be part of the project? Use this form to enter your information or to nominate someone for the podcast.
Contact me (Jon Peterson) at IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Our teacher guide for Language and Literature is Georgia Larson.
Links:
Language A: Language and Literature Subject guide
Note: Literature and Literature & Performance are still to be recorded. If you teach one of these courses and are interested in sharing your expertise please reach out at IBMatters@mnibschools.org.
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
In this series, which I’m calling the IB Course Description Project, we’re building an audio catalog of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) courses and Career-related Programme (CP) core experiences for students, parents, counselors, teachers, and colleges around the world.
Each episode brings the syllabus to life by exploring the learning, teaching, and student experience behind every course. These conversations can support course registration, help colleges better understand IB courses, introduce new teachers and counselors to the curriculum, or simply provide a deeper understanding of what makes each course unique.
Want to be part of the project? Use this form to enter your information or to nominate someone for the podcast.
Contact me (Jon Peterson) at IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Use the email above or the fan mail link to contact me with feedback, suggestions or to add your name to the teachers joining the project.
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
When an experienced IB DP teacher like Rohit Vaswani becomes the new IB coordinator, they bring a certain set of tools to the job. They might know the nuts and bolts of the position: deadlines, exam prep, and compliance issues. But, it takes a special leader to examine the system in place to see where the philosophy of the IB structure and the culture it is meant to create can be improved.
Do your IB teachers share in the mission? Do the students just comply with deadlines or do they go further and see ways to engage in their communities as partners?
As a new IB coordinator, Rohit already has a deep understanding of the role. His previous IB and school leaders have equipped him with the tools to instill the principles of an IB education with all the schools' stakeholders.
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
Taryn Moir is an educational psychologist focused on bringing research-backed best practices into the classroom. In this episode she describes some of the research she has done and has studied that led to her book, 'How to Create Autonomous Learners: Teaching Metacognitive, Self-regulatory and Study Skills - A Practioner's Guide.'
She shares several examples of reading strategies that help students develop their own toolbox of skills that can be used in any classroom and at any age.
Links:
Where to find Taryn's Book
Taryn's LinkedIn
Contact Taryn: taryn2u@yahoo.co.uk
Selected research:
- Moir, T., (2023). Sowing Seeds in Different Soil. The Psychologist. The British Psychological Society, Leicester.
- Moir, T., (2023). Motivating young readers: Using Rosenblatt’s Transactional Theory to Enhance Literacy Learning. Scan Magazine. NSW Department of Education. Parramatta.
- Moir, T. (2018). Why is implementation science important to intervention design and evaluation, within educational settings?. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 3, p. 61). Frontiers.
- Moir, T., (2019). The psychology within models of reading comprehension and the educational psychologist’s role in taking theory into practice. Educational and Child Psychology, 36 (3).
- Moir, T., Boyle, J., Woolfson, L. M. (2016). Developing higher-order reading skills in mainstream primary schools: a metacognitive approach- a study protocol. Educational Psychology in Scotland. Vol 17 No. 2
- Moir, T., Boyle, J., Woolfson, L. M. (2020) Developing higher-order reading skills in mainstream primary schools: a metacognitive approach. British Educational Journal.
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
Leah Thayer has spent a lifetime supporting people in transition. From her work in conflict zones, developing public health supports, and now in counseling students, Leah has been there to meet the needs of the people she serves.
Young people exiting the Diploma Programme are understandably anxious about what comes next for them. What if they don't pass the exams? How do they find a good school? How does the school find them? How can teachers help their students find a match for their skills and their aspirations?
Leah has some great ideas for all these questions. If you work with students as a counselor, a teacher, or are a parent of a high school student check out what Leah shares in this episode.
At the end we talked about the new IB Matters project where we are recording teachers as they describe the IB course(s) they teach. This should help students choose courses they find interesting and are a good fit for their future plans. These short (under 15 minute) recordings can also help colleges better understand what the IB student brings with them as they matriculate to the university. If you are an IBEN member and a teacher of a DP course, please contact me at the email link. I'm also looking to record all aspects of the DP and the CP core to be included in the project.
Leah's Substack: Pathways, Partnerships, and Perspectives
Leah's LinkedIn
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us Fan Mail
Gavin Kinch has been on an IB journey which began as a classroom teacher and has led him to be appointed the IB School Leadership Council chairperson. Along the way, he has developed a philosophy of mentoring younger teachers through their own professional journeys. He talks about the 'classroom teacher' to 'school teacher' transition. Gavin is the Principal of ACS, an IB school in Singapore which has close to 200 IB graduates every year. As he says, there is a great team of experienced educators who have taken on roles as 'school teachers' to guide such a large group of motivated students.
He also has a podcast (linked below) called the Global Ed Podcast to share stories of his school leadership heroes; those who have faced impossible obstacles and helped their students continue learning.
Global Ed Podcast S1E1 From Kiev
Gavin on linkedIn
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
The IB educational framework is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills, and attributes that will serve them throughout their lives.
Our guest, Arjun Malhotra, is a high school junior (DP year 1) who has experienced an IB education since elementary school. Our conversation touches on the many ways Arjun has developed his sense of place in the world, honed his academic skills, and initiated his strong desire to make the world better. He gives much of the credit to his continuum of IB education but I'm sure you will recognize that he has a strong support network of family, friends, and teachers to guide him.
Links to connect with Arjun and his work:
LinkedIn profile
Arjun's non-profit 'Earth's 911' Instagram
Email: arjunmalhotra2009@gmail.com
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Instagram (IB_Matters)
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
Maksud Alam is a dynamic young IB leader working at Swostishree Gurukul IB World School in Kathmandu, Nepal. His school is only the second in Nepal to offer the MYP and one of 7 schools in Nepal to offer the IB, so far. There are several others in the candidate phase right now.
We talked about the challenges and the rewards when building a programme from the ground floor in a new school, and in an area without many potential collaborators nearby. Maksud came to his IB coordinator position with experience as a PYP teacher so he understood the many ways an IB educator must rethink how they approach educating the students in their care. Our conversation touches on how he helps teachers and parents learn about the IB framework of education and the philosophy behind teaching and learning in the IB.
Its always fun to hear how IB educators around the world share a common language, common struggles, and common mission.
Swostishree Gurukul IB World School
Maksud Alam on LinkedIn
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
Michael Dunn, known as the man behind Theoryofknowledge.net is our guest on this first episode of our 5th season.
Michael grew the most popular TOK website on the internet, organically, from a wish to share what he was doing in his own classroom in Peru. It eventually became what it is today, a highly respected, and much used, resource for teachers around the world. You'll find teachers in all subjects using these materials to teach critical thinking no matter the age of their students.
Michael's dream is to have these materials used outside the IB context because the lessons to be learned span every educational system and bring lifelong value to those who experience this kind of teaching and learning.
I hope you are inspired by Michael's interview to explore the resources linked below. Many people subscribe to his free monthly newsletter and then checkout the mini-lesson samples to get ideas and to begin their TOK journey. Others become members to access the 20 mini-lessons posted each month and the classroom-ready TOK courses.
Michael has now added options for the non-DP teacher in each mini-lesson.
Main page
Membership
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
Returning guest, Rezuan Chowdhury and the head of his school's governing board, Rifat Abedin, speak about becoming one of very few PYP schools in Bangladesh. They detail the rationale from the parent's perspective and the process from the PYP coordinator's perspective. We also learn about the training their teachers have undergone and the plans for expansion and even future MYP and DP goals for their very new school.
Rezuan has been a regional leader even before his school's authorization. He has hosted free meet-ups with teachers from all over the region and even the world. Use his social links below to connect with him. He's been on the podcast 5 times now and is a great resource.
Links:
Rezuan's LinkedIn
Rezuan on Facebook
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
While this is, technically, a quickcast to promote speakers and vendors at the #IBGC2025 in NOLA, its really an introduction to the IB North Americas' excellent initiative designed to encourage greater IB DP and CP participation. So, please use the overview shared by Phil Evans and the numerous links, to begin exploring how your school community could embrace a philosophy that all students deserve an IB education.
Who wouldn't want a student-centered pedagogy with inquiry, intellectual rigor, research and concept driven learning and instruction as the overall system for their students and teachers?
We also introduce Phil's excellent podcast 'Education by Design'. Check out the links below or find it wherever you get your podcasts.
Links:
School-wide adoption resources
To contact Phil or Chad at IBO
To explore the research on school-wide adoption
Research on the value of IB education
Education by Design blog
Phil on LinkedIn
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
Continuing our series of quickcasts leading to the 2025 IB Global Conference in New Orleans, we feature Kognity, an IB partner organization. Chris Barres and Sian Steggles tell us about Kognity and their digital teaching and learning platform.
Kognity will also host a session entitled, 'Digital Dilemma! What do we really want from digital resources?' at 2:00 on Wednesday, July 16th in the St. Charles and Lafayette rooms.
Links:
Kognity.com
Free interactive trial of Kognity
RSVP to the Happy hour on Wednesday, July 16th celebrating their 10 year anniversary
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
This is the third of several 'Quickcasts' to introduce listeners to vendors and presenters at the 2025 IB Global conference in New Orleans. Here, we speak with Amnah Ejaz of Kialo Education, an online discussion platform. It's available free and will be featured in a booth at the upcoming IB Global conference in New Orleans.
They are also hosting Michael Dunn of TOK.net who will be speaking at a session entitled: 'Critical thinking in a polarized world'. His session will be in the St. Charles & Lafayette rooms at 11:15 Thursday, July 17th.
If you are unable to attend, please check out the links below and/or look up the presentations after the conference on the IB website.
Links:
Kialo Education
Demo of Kialo at work
Theory of Knowledge.net
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
This is the second of several 'Quickcasts' to introduce listeners to vendors and presenters at the 2025 IB Global conference in New Orleans. This episode features Robert Kohnert, a coordinator of advanced programming in Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS). Robert uses his experience in MPS to drill down into what is working and what could be improved to help students who take up the Diploma Programme. He has three steps to share with attendees: how to get students into the DP classes, how to encourage them to take the exams, and, of course, how to help them be successful in those exams.
Robert will be presenting on Thursday, July 17th at 2:00 in Gallery 5 on the second floor.
If you are unable to attend and want to learn more about Robert's work, check out the slide deck available after the conference from IB, or reach out to me (link below) and I can share it with you.
Link:
The 2025 IBGC NOLA program
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
This is the first of several 'Quickcasts' to introduce listeners to vendors and presenters at the 2025 IB Global conference in New Orleans. This episode features Rachel Bodily, co-founder of Eblana Learning. We did a full podcast with Rita Bateson the other co-founder a few months ago. Check that out here.
Rachel gives a sneak peek at the session they are offering at the IBGC 2025 and talks about the mission of Eblana Learning. We also talk about the free upcoming Eblana session at the MNIB Summer Conference in August.
If you are going to New Orleans this summer, be sure to stop by the Eblana booth to meet Rachel and Rita and then attend Rita's session on Wednesday, July 16th at 2:00 in Gallery 2.
Links:
Eblanalearning
Rita Bateson on LinkedIn
Rachel Bodily on LinkedIn
The 2025 IBGC NOLA program
The MNIB Summer conference registration page that includes the two-day Eblana sessions. There is limited space available.
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
Returning guest Novadene Miller is a skilled and motivational teacher. She draws from her experience earning a doctorate in Geography to bring multiple perspectives and resources to the classroom. In this episode she shares how her Humanities students build cross-disciplinary skills like critical thinking, collaborative skills, and research skills while engaging in many different activities both in and out of the classroom. She also talks about the many resources that can be used beyond the typical books and internet searches so often relied upon.
Each example shows how the IB framework gives her students the space to inquire and be curious about the world around them and to give voice and value to their own ideas.
Novadene's links: LinkedIn
IB Blog posts: Teaching service as action , Teaching MYP Ind. & Soc. in a changing world
Article for the Independent Schools Network (ISN)
Additional ISN articles: Teaching skills applied beyond the classroom , Celebrating World Children's Day in your Classroom
Novadene's research: Achieving Sustainability of Natural Resources and obtaining Economic Goals. Tourism's Pandora's box
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
Do you need to get your teachers official IB training that doesn't break the bank? Did you know that schools can request specific subjects and categories of training that come straight to you? In this episode, Casey Strecker of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and I go over the advantages of in-school workshops. We talk about how to order them, the responsibilities of the host school, and how to use them to get your staff the training that fits your school's needs. Note: The 'blended' model we talk about in the podcast is currently available only in the America's region but all regions support school-requested workshops in multiple formats.
These are not just for individual schools. IB Schools Associations, neighboring schools, and whole school districts are using this option to create economical learning opportunities that fit their budgets and schedules.
IB Workshops and Services (pdf 25-25 catalog)
IBO Professional Development
MNIB Summer Conference
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
The MAGIC-T model is at the center of education at the Prem International School in northern Thailand. Creative director of the school, Alex Soulsby explains how using arts and culture as a focus works so well in an IB continuum school for all ages and IB Programmes. He shares how visiting arts and culture practitioners bring their perspectives directly into the curriculum and themselves take advantage of the school's resources available in return. There is resource exchange between the school and their visitors that works to strengthen both parties.
- Alex' Website: www.alexsoulsby.com
- Alex' Linkedin
- A Royal Society of the Arts article about AI and the importance of Arts Education here
- MAGIC-T and page 73 Peer reviewed article in the international journal of art & design education here
Alex' school: Prem International School, Chiang Mai Thailand
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
Rita Bateson has been part of MYP evolution since the days of the 'Next Chapter'. Today, she is still engaged in the Enhanced MYP and has researched how AI is going to influence the Approaches to Learning (ATLs) in all IB Programmes. Along with Rachel Bodily, they have co-founded Eblana Learning which is a central repository of resources, training, consultancies and both online and in-person courses.
Rita’s LinkedIn
Eblana Learning LinkedIn
Rita’s Substack
Rita will be in-person at the Minnesota Summer Conference on August 13-14, 2025 leading a session on Developing your school's AI identity - register for free here
Rita Bateson is a respected educator, author and mentor with over 20 years of experience in international education. She has held key roles in international education, including Senior Curriculum and Assessment Manager at IB Global Headquarters and founding Head of Secondary at Nord Anglia International School in Ireland. A renowned curriculum developer and textbook author, she is also a seasoned workshop leader and consultant.
Rita currently serves as the Director of Education and co-founder of Eblana Learning, where she focuses on helping schools harness AI’s potential ethically and with confidence, drawing on her deep IB expertise and practical insights.
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
Send us a text
Our guest, Chaahat Dhall, from Fountainhead School in Surat, India has some great ways she engages her MYP students. From human libraries, to silent debates, to advisory circles and beyond, Chaahat shares some of the many resources she uses throughout the year. Chaahat was also one of Jiana Shah's MYP teachers, so you can learn from one of the teachers who influenced Jiana as she developed her skills as an MYP student.
The list of resources Chaahat has shared is too extensive for these notes, so I will include some here but the entire list can be found on our website.
Links from Chaahat: (More on our website)
- Human Library Publishing Partner A platform that encourages dialogue and understanding through personal storytelling and unique perspectives.
- Oxfam Hunger Banquet
- The Moral MachineA platform for exploring ethical dilemmas and decision-making through AI simulations.
- Use of Moral MachineA guide on integrating The Moral Machine into classroom discussions and activities.
- Information Is Beautiful - Current EventsVisualizes current events and data in a compelling and accessible manner. An interactive event designed to raise awareness about global hunger and inequality through experiential learning.
- Ted EdHelps educators create engaging lesson plans using TED-Ed content.
- GlobaliaA great resource for maps and visual representations of global topics.
- IQB (Inspiring Inquiry)Resources and tools to promote inquiry-based learning in classrooms.
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website
Donate to IB Matters
Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
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Jiana Shah is back, two years after we first spoke. Then, she was a 14 year old 9th grader looking forward to the end of the MYP and the beginning of her Diploma Programme journey.
Jiana began in the PYP as a kindergartner and is now a Diploma Programme junior well on her way to completing her entire school experience as an IB student. This makes her an excellent person to talk to about the rollercoaster experience as she navigates the challenges and accomplishments of the IB student.
What I love about this conversation is how Jiana can follow the thread of experiences in the PYP and MYP as they continue to influence her activities today. Often, it is the non-curricular activities which have the greatest influence. We also spoke about all three areas of the DP core: the Theory of Knowledge, CAS, and the Extended Essay. Each has enriched her experience and she makes a good case for their placement as requirements of the Diploma.
We have already made plans to continue the conversation and follow Jiana as she completes the Diploma and makes her way to university. She is certainly a great example to other young people and serves as an inspiration to students and adults looking forward to a future with more IB students like Jiana in the world.
Here is a link to her earlier episode (S3:E9)
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Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
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Send us a text
Smriti Sajjanhar from Genesis Global School shares her expertise in using Play-based Learning (PBL) with students in her PYP school. She shares great anecdotes telling how PBL has transformed the way students learn and even think about their learning. Teachers, students, and parents engage in open-ended explorations without preset objectives for the children. These sessions result in often surprising results - and that's the point. Kids learn things and go on adventures, inside and outside the classroom, that pay off in their subject area learning and in their sense of what they can accomplish when they get to pick their own play options.
Smriti's LinkedIn page
Links Smriti shared:
- https://humanperformance.ie/the-properties-of-play/
- https://caps.umich.edu/article/your-play-personality
- https://www.facebook.com/share/r/Y8cBGdNonUoUMhiq/?mibextid=W40cHY
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Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans
IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing)
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**We are releasing several quick casts featuring presenters at the IB Global Conference in Washington D.C. July 25-28, 2024
Use the hashtag #IBGC2024 to see what's happening on social media
Session title: Optimizing the IB Personal Project with student-led mentorship**
This session is on Saturday, July 27th at 2:00 p.m. in Chinatown M3
**Our guest, Hoonseok Ho (a MNIB MYP Coordinator) summarizes his session.
Hoonseok:**
- Speaks of the journey his school, Sejong Academy, has been on
- Ssummarizes the session
- Talks about what he's excited about in this session.
- Who is the target audience?
- What he hopes attendees walk out with.
Contact Hoonseok: hoh1@sejongacademy.org
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**We are releasing several quick casts featuring presenters at the IB Global Conference in Washington D.C. July 25-28, 2024
Use the hashtag #IBGC2024 to see what's happening on social media
Session title: Humanizing Personalized Learning in the MYP.**
- This session is on Saturday, July 27th at 11:15 a.m. in Georgetown M1
**Our guests, and MNIB teachers, Sami Peterson and Danielle Vanderlinde summarize the session.
Together, they:**
- Briefly summarize the session
- Talks about what they're excited about in this session.
- Who is the target audience?
- What they hope attendees walk out with.
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
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**We are releasing several quick casts featuring presenters at the IB Global Conference in Washington D.C. July 25-28, 2024
Use the hashtag #IBGC2024 to see what's happening on social media
Towards school-wide adoption: increasing access for all students.**
This session is on Saturday, July 27th at 11:15 a.m. in Archives M4
**Our guest, Melissa Cuculich, summarizes her session with her co presenter Renee Illhardt.
Melissa:**
- Briefly summarizes the session
- Talks about what she's excited about in this session.
- Who is the target audience?
- What she hopes attendees walk out with.
Remy Lamon will be running the same session in French on Saturday, July 27th at 11:15 am in Howard M1 and Ricardo Chiaradia is presenting in Spanish on Friday, July 26 at 3:45 p.m. in Gallaudet M1
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Vikas Pahwa returns to talk about the many roles we play in our careers as educators. From teacher, mentor, colleague and leader to parent, learner, and counselor, we wear many hats throughout our lives.
Vikas shares much of what he has learned about finding balance and trying new ways to be effective both in and out of the classroom.
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Judy Imamudeen shares her experiences making connections with teachers around the world through her popular blog and educator book club. She also talks about the upcoming changes in the PYP and how to keep yourself healthy as you help young people reach their potential.
Links from Judy
- https://judyimamudeen.com/
- Six AI Techniques for PYPC
- The 2024-2025 Book Club Guidelines and Reading Schedule.
Recommended books
- The Art of Coaching Teams by Elena Aguilar.
- Better Conversations by Jim Knight
- The Coaching Habitby Michael Bungay Stanier
- The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
- Conversations Worth Having by Cherri Torres.
- The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching: What Every K-12 Coach and School Leader Needs to Know by Diane Sweeney and Leanna S. Harris
- Worldwise Learning by Carla Marschall and Elizabeth Crawford.
Judy's Summer Reading List:
- Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
- The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
- Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish
- Learnership by James Anderson
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The PYP, like all DP Programmes, is a dynamic and evolving framework of best practice for teachers of elementary-aged children. Our guest, Cindy Blackburn is well placed to guide us through the ins and outs of the programme in her role a leader at the Toddle.
Toddle is a global platform for IB teachers helping them organize and collaborate to improve their teaching an d to streamline some of the processes within IB schools.
Links shared by Cindy:
- School Leaders Project Podcast
- Learn more about Toddle
- 5 Steps for Writing central Ideas (mentioned in the episode)
- Beginners Guide to Concepts
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
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In April of 2019, we set out to offer information about the IB for a Minnesota audience. Little did we know that it would grow to be heard in over 170 countries and become a labor of love for all things IB and a celebration of the global educational community!
As we begin what we're calling 'Season 4' please join us in helping to use this podcast as a tool to improve the teaching and learning in your own school. Folks have found many creative ways to use our content such as prequels to training or to induct new teachers into the IB. If you have an idea, suggestion, or if you would like to appear on the podcast, drop me a line either by text (link above) or by email at IBMatters@mnibschools.org.
Be sure to use the podcast webpage linked below to find episodes specific to your interest such as PYP, ATLs, or student engagement.
With heartfelt thanks,
Jon Peterson
Links:
Intro to the IB Programmes (self-guided tour)
Brief YouTube video demonstrating the self-guided tour
Link to MNIB Summer Conference page (for MNIB schools)
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
Twitter @MattersIB
IB Matters website
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Donate to IB Matters
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
in this episode we talk to Nate Samuelson from Korea International School about his project called Service Snapshots and a course he created called ‘Design Your Impact’. Not only will your students be invited to participate, you are encouraged to replicate Nate’s ideas in your own school or region. Imagine a school district or an IB regional association creating their own version of the Service Snapshots concept. Either way, Nate’s collection of student service projects will serve as a repository of great ideas that might be the spark your students need to develop their own, local service initiative.
Service Snapshots
Connect with Nate: nate.samuelson@kis.or.krThe UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's)
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In this episode we return to speak to Novadene Miller - this time we talk about making effective transitions when changing schools or changing roles within a school.
But our conversation ranged widely from teacher skill sets in IB and international schools to how to better include new teachers into the culture of a school.
Novadene shares many of her personal experiences as a Jamaican native navigating European international schools. You might be surprised how transferable those experiences are, no matter what your background. Novadene has such a great approach to new challenges and opportunities. She is an inspiration to anyone considering taking on a new challenge in a new place. And, as she says, 'Curate your strengths!'
Links provided by Novadene:
IB Stories at 50 years
Peer interactions and service learning
Interdisciplinary units
Achieving Sustainability of Natural Resources and Obtaining Economic Goals. Tourism’s Pandora’s box
Rainforest Tourism, Conservation and Management: Challenges for Sustainable ...
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In this episode we talk to six students and their CAS coordinator from Exeter College in Devon County, England. As the third in a series of interviews with IB students around the world: first in the US (here in Minnesota) and then in India and now the UK, listeners will hear the similarities and the differences in how IB schools introduce CAS and then support students in this core aspect of the IB Diploma Programme. This episode confirms the value of this unique piece of the puzzle in developing students prepared for the world and readying them to be productive, caring and contributing members of their individual communities.
CAS Coordinator:
Santina Micalizzi
Students:
Olly Evans, Caelin Berry, Oliver Cook, Amy Dunbavin, Oli Sweeney, Martha K
Learn more about CAS on the IB Website.
Links from Exeter College:
International Baccalaureate (IB) (exe-coll.ac.uk)
Childrens Hospice South West | Making the most of short and precious lives across the South West (chsw.org.uk)
Devon Connect - Connecting Communities in Devon.
Artistica SM
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This is part one of a series of episodes exploring the role of AI in the future of education.
AI is here to stay and we need some tools and a plan to make the most of this transformative technology. Aruj Khaliq from Pakistan shares great ideas to start us on this journey! In this recording Aruj lays out the challenges but also the potential for AI to transform our schools. We discuss the need to rethink some assessments in light of AI’s presence, and Aruj gives us some guidance on how to start discussions with staff and students about AI.
Use this form to ask Aruj a question about AI strategies or to provide ideas or feedback for our future AI episodes.
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In this episode we return to talk to Vikas Pahwa from Shiv Nadar School in Gurgaon, India - but we are actually featuring some of his students who are sharing their CAS experiences. If this sounds familiar to regular listeners, that’s because we are going back to back with CAS related podcasts. Last episode it was students from my backyard in Minnesota. This time the students are from northern India. I’m sure you will be struck by the similarities in student responses and the ways in which CAS experiences have shaped them and had an influence in their future plans. Please listen to both episodes. They really speak to the core values and the mission of the IB in creating a well-rounded education leading to a better and more peaceful world.
Featured students: Aishwarya, Gianna, Lakshya, Anvi
CAS Coordinator: Mrs Nandini Kar
The BConnectt Instagram page
Learn more about CAS on the IB Website.
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In this episode, we talk to four IB Diploma candidates about their CAS (Creativity, Activity & Service) experiences. Evan Whipple, Jynx Taylor, Lolu Ogunleye, and Audrey Mochama are all seniors at Champlin Park High School in Minnesota.
CAS includes both sustained and one-time experiences. As you'll hear, these often lead to unexpected benefits for both the community and the students themselves.
We also speak with their DP Coordinator, Ashley Brown, about how CAS is a key aspect at the core of the Diploma Programme.
Here are a couple links from Evan regarding Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Day
This is part a series of episodes celebrating the successes of IB students and teachers across Minnesota.
Learn more about CAS on the IB Website.
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In this episode we return to talk to Sonia Singh, a school principal at Sreenidhi International School in Hyderabad, India about her school’s initiative to focus on high quality learning. While this may seem like an obvious goal of any school, Sonia has some great advice and suggests a road map to ensure your school, like hers, keeps everyone focused on this critical work in the context of being an IB World School with several other influences, such as local, state, and even national curriculum requirements.
*Sonia Singh is a renowned figure in education and training, with over two decades of experience. She is currently working as the Principal of Sreenidhi International School. She advocates for student-centric learning, emphasizing progress tracking over grades and connecting classroom lessons to real-life experiences. Sonia's teaching methods blend technology with hands-on learning, tailored to individual needs, and she specializes in various curricula, including CBSE, Cambridge, and IB. Her influence extends globally, improving education standards.
Contact Sonia:*
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniasingh13/
Email - soniasingh13@gmail.com
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In this episode we talk with John Moore from Shaker Heights, Ohio. The Shaker Heights City Schools have made the choice to de-track their schools in an effort to better prepare all their students for success in high school classes, including their robust IB Diploma Programme.
Theirs is a pre-K through 12th grade IB district and John speaks eloquently about the need to be true to the IB mission and the IB curriculum framework as they work to lift every student. The journey has been (and continues to be) a challenge. But, John ends with a call to action for all of us to join in this work and gives us the resources to begin our own journey to break structural barriers that hold some students back.
Links from John Moore:
- Washington Post article by Laura Meckler
- Detracking Board Meeting: Why and How
- Detracking for Equity and Excellence by Carol Burris and Delia Garrity
- Integrating Classrooms and Reducing Academic Tracking by Halley Potter
Teaching While White **podcast; Episodes 24-26
Shaker Heights City Schools' Equity website John Moore on LinkedIn:** linkedin.com/in/john-moore-ph-d-018915a7
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In this episode we talk to our MN Assc of IB World Schools (MNIB) President, Sarah Wernimont, about the process we used this past year to develop our MNIB mission statement. You’ll hear it was a journey that I found challenging but very rewarding in the end. While we have just begun implementation of the new mission, we are both excited about the path that has been created by this work. I hope you can find pieces of this process useful to you whether you are in an IB Association yourself, or in a school or any other organization needing some direction as you plan your own future work.
The new MNIB mission: "We are courageous leaders supporting those in the IB community who are implementing IB programs, building connections, removing barriers, and creating systems that increase access for all.
By doing this, young people, families, and educators in the IB community will have a voice, engage in meaningful learning, cultivate their geniuses, and celebrate their successes."
Learn more on the MNIB WebsiteThere, you'll find some of the ideas our members generated while looking at this new mission.
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in this episode we return to talk to Novadene Miller. She was a guest in season 2 (episode 18) but she has now moved to a high school in Geneva and speaks about the connected IB classroom. Novadene has a PhD in physical geography, and is an active researcher in her professional field.
She brings the world into her classroom and the students into the world. She does this through authentic interdisciplinaary skill building and a focus on transfer skills. She has many examples of collaborations among colleagues, with parents, and with experts in various fields. All the while her goal is to help students build their own knowledge given a rich set of personal experiences.
Links:
https://ibo.org/50years/ib-stories/community-stories/teaching-service-as-action-in-a-changing-world/
Teaching MYP individuals and societies in a changing world | IB Community Blog (ibo.org)
Article for the Independent Schools Network (ISN): https://bit.ly/3qVt6nr
More links: https://bit.ly/3iWIOxB
https://isn.education/articles/open/how-can-we-teach-students-skills-they-can-apply-beyond-the-classroom/
https://journals.openedition.org/etudescaribeennes/5302
Book Chapter in ‘ Rainforest Tourism, Conservation and Management Challenges for Sustainable Development’, edited by Bruce Prideaux, Earthscan from Routledge Publishers, 2014.
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In this episode we talk to author, and IB high school assistant principal, Brad Sever about his new book, ‘Sustainable Project Based Learning’. Brad’s experience in an IB school makes him an excellent resource to help us navigate the intersection of the IB framework of learning and project based learning.
Brad’s book provides a sustainable roadmap for teachers to ensure student learning is measured and an intentional part of teacher collaboration.
Think of the book as a tool to build school infrastructure that will keep your teachers and IB programmes true to the mission of creating knowledgable, inquisitive, and compassionate learners.
Links:
Perseverance Education website
Sustainable Project Based Learning website
Solution Tree website
Twitter: @BradSever
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IB Matters website
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in this episode we talk to Cody Alderson from the University of New Brunswick in Canada. Cody is the director of the IB Educator Certificate Program at UNB. Cody and I talk about the many aspects of this great partnership between global universities and the IB.
If you are looking to get a head start on becoming an IB teacher, or to expand your already awesome IB teaching skills, the IB Educator Certificate program could be a great fit. There are four levels of IBEC, so if you are an undergraduate pre-teaching candidate or an experienced IB teacher, there’s certificate for you. There are even versions for heads of schools.
Links:
The IBEC Program at UNB
From the IB website: IBEC Programs around the world The IBEC Program at Bethel University (The one in Minnesota that Jon attended)
Contact Cody at UNB: cody.alderson@unb.ca
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When a school makes the effort to become an IB World School through a years-long period of reflection and self evaluation, the entire school agrees to embark on a continuous journey of self improvement.
In this episode, we talk to Jaya Sharma, an experienced IB school leader about the school improvement plan required of all IB schools. Jaya shares highlights from her school’s plan and how they engage all stakeholders in the experience. You’ll see that when you focus on a particular area of improvement it kicks off a cluster of academic activities with benefits beyond a single goal.
Links shared by Jaya:
Link to articles on linkedIn.
https://bit.ly/3ij3KPz
https://bit.ly/3vMirxs
Webinar youtube link:Schoolreformer.com - Competencies & strategies needed to facilitate lifelong learning By Jaya Sharma
Article: Handing over learning to students
ATL/ATT resources- Padlet
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In this episode we return to talk with Bhavna Mathew from India about the role of action in the IB. As Bhavna says, Action is BIG! It is through action that we come closest to realizing the vision of the IB founders when they imagined a better and more peaceful world. If you would like to inspire students to take action as a result of your teaching, listen to what Bhavna shares in this conversation and be sure to check out the links in the podcast notes. Especially the ‘Wakelet’ which includes videos and slides you can use with other teachers and your students.
Bhavna's Wakelet TED Talk: “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.”
Examples of 'Action'
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In this episode of IB Matters we return to talk to Vikas Pahwa from India. Vikas is an experienced DP History teacher and great person to talk about how he implements the ATL skills in the high school. While we often think of ATLs in the earlier grades, Vikas makes a great case for their natural inclusion in higher level courses. We even talk a bit about how teachers should be ready for new ways of teaching as they move on in their careers.
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IB Matters website
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Donate to IB Matters
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
In this episode we talk to Afroza Kazi from Dhaka, Bangladesh about her role as a Diploma Programme teacher. While she specifically teaches Language B - English, we get a better understanding of what makes the IB work for so many students. That is, how we put the international in International Baccalaureate. Afroza makes several great suggestions for how to prepare students of all ages to be more internationally-minded and better prepared for life in a global community.
Afroza explains how IB languages play an important role in developing internationally-minded students.
DP English B Booklist11th Grade reading list for students age 16 - 17
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In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Rezuan Chowdhury from Daka, Bangladesh. Rezuan, who is a returning guest, has recently moved to a new school as an assistant PYP coordinator. In this episode, he brings some specific examples of how the ATL skills can be built in to teaching and learning in the elementary, even early years, of the PYP.
Links shared by Rezuan:
"Best Practices and challenges in school based professional development in the schools of Maldives and Bangladesh"
“Impact of COVID on Online Teaching Platform: Study on IB Curriculum in Bangladesh”
"Impact of E learning in the education sector: Challenges and prospects of collaboration in remote learning” Connect with Rezuan:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rez-chowdhury-0147871ab
Twitter: Rez (@Rez31447712)
Whatsapp: +88 1319495278
Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org
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IB Matters website
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Donate to IB Matters
To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.
The IB student experience is much more than the Diploma Programme student completing exams and heading to university with a strong resume of academic accomplishments. The entire IB framework begins preparing students in pre-school and continues to use age appropriate practices to encourage life-long learning, inquiry, conceptual understanding, and global awareness.
Our 14 year-old guest, Jiana Shah, has been an IB PYP student since kindergarten and is now a year 4 MYP student preparing to take on the DP in a couple of years. Jiana shares her love of learning, her dreams for the future and her gratitude for what her IB education has prepared her to do. I don't think you will find a better endorsement for the IB than to simply listen to Jiana and to imagine how the world will be a better place with more students like her in it.
IB Matters WebsiteDo you have a question for Jiana?
Contact her by emailing us at IBMatters@mnibschools.org
This episode is the eighth and final episode in a series of podcasts we are doing on the IB Approaches to Learning Skills (known as the ATL’s) which are at the core of all four International Baccalaureate Programmes.
This episode is a sort of panel discussion looking at the big idea of using approaches to learning as a framework within IB to deliver the promise of an IB education as captured in the IB mission.
My guests are Adrian von Wrede-Jervis, Nigel Gardner and of course John Harvey who has developed and led this series. With this episode we are taking time to look at what might be missing, what might be done better, and what each of you in an IB school can do to make the Approches to Learning more useful to your teachers and students.
From Nigel: Integrating ATLs with concepts - here is the link to the framework that I was referring to: https://www.repurposedlearning.com/post/the-my-place-in-the-story-model
Linking with CASEL - 5 areas of social and emotional competency https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-is-the-casel-framework/
Have ATL questions? Ask John using this form.
IB Matters WebsiteThe IB Organization has resources on their webpages to support your learning about the ATL skills. Here is one link you may use to explore on your own.
This episode is the seventh in a series of 8 podcasts we are doing on the IB Approaches to Learning Skills known as the ATL’s that are at the core of all four International Baccalaureate Programmes. It is our goal to give you a coherent, sustainable, values aligned strategy to implement ATL Skills in your school. This episode features teaching Self-management Skills.
In the podcast, John Harvey described how he moved some of the Self-management Skills around to optimize teaching 'States of Mind' in the different IB Programmes. Here is a link to his award winning spreadsheet so you can see how he did it: John Harvey's States of Mind Continuum Framework
We are also offering an opportunity for interaction. Below, you will find a link to a Google form where you can ask questions. We will take a few minutes at the end of each episode to answer questions you have about the ATL’s in your context.
John will continue to respond to your questions after these episodes are produced, so please feel free to pose your questions anytime.
SMARTER Goals Link
POMODORO Technique
EISENHOWER Matrix
Excerpts from the Episode 2 and 3 podcast notes to connect with 'States of mind' and 'Reflection':
Here are the 11 models John suggested. Take a look and pick one or two (or more) that fit you and your school. Links to each model can be found in the Continuum Framework document.
- Locus of Control
- Pomodoro Technique
- Guided Meditation
- Dr. Rob Bell's 8 Ways to Build Perseverance
- Michelle Borba's 6 R's of Bullying Prevention
- Prof Steve Peters Control Your Inner Chimp
- 5 Levels of Self Talk
- Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset
- IKIGAI
- SMARTER Goals
- Lance King’s Failing Well
Episode 3 - Thinking Skills
In the podcast, John described how he prefers the Gibb's Relective Cycle. You can learn more using this link.
John also mentioned the 'Thinking Skills Across the Continuum' document he has compiled. Here is a link to that document. Be sure to check out all the tabs in the spreadsheet to access Critical thinking, Creative thinking, Information transfer, and Reflection & Metacognition.
Have ATL questions? Ask John using this form.
IB Matters WebsiteThe IB Organization has resources on their webpages to support your learning about the ATL skills. Here is one link you may use to explore on your own.
This episode is the sixth in a series of 8 podcasts we are doing on the IB Approaches to Learning Skills known as the ATL’s that are at the core of all four International Baccalaureate Programmes. This episode features teaching Social Skills.
My guest is John Harvey, an experienced IB coordinator who has led this work in multiple schools. It is our goal to give you a coherent, sustainable, values aligned strategy to implement ATL Skills in your school.
We are also offering an opportunity for interaction. Below, you will find a link to a Google form where you can ask questions. We will take a few minutes at the end of each episode to answer questions you have about the ATL’s in your context.
John will continue to respond to your questions after these episodes are produced, so please feel free to pose your questions anytime.
In the podcast, John referred Belbin Team Roles model for developing social skills Here is a link to learn more.
I also mentioned I would list the nine Belbin Team Roles here in the podcast notes:
The Social roles:
Resource Investigator, Teamworker and Co-ordinator
The Thinking roles:
Plant, Monitor Evaluator and Specialist
**The Action or Task roles:
Shaper, Implementer and Completer Finisher
In the podcast John talked about ways to help students catch up on the skills they may have missed building during the pandemic. Here are a few links to learn more.
COVID-19 and education: The lingering effects of unfinished learning | McKinsey**
The pandemic has had devastating impacts on learning. What will it take to help students catch up?
The Economic Impacts of Learning Losses
Have ATL questions? Ask John using this form.
IB Matters WebsiteThe IB Organization has resources on their webpages to support your learning about the ATL skills. Here is one link you may use to explore on your own.
This episode is the fifth in a series of 8 podcasts we are doing on the IB Approaches to Learning Skills known as the ATL’s that are at the core of all four International Baccalaureate Programmes. This episode features teaching Communication Skills.
My guest is John Harvey, an experienced IB coordinator who has led this work in multiple schools. It is our goal to give you a coherent, sustainable, values aligned strategy to implement ATL Skills in your school.
We are also offering an opportunity for interaction. Below, you will find a link to a Google form where you can ask questions. We will take a few minutes at the end of each episode to answer questions you have about the ATL’s in your context.
John will continue to respond to your questions after these episodes are produced, so please feel free to pose your questions anytime.
In the podcast, John referred to the Thinking Pathways 'Ladder of Feedback' model for building communication skills. Here is a link to explore more.
He also referred to the Verbal Signposts activity. Here is a link to the pdf document which can also be found in the MYIB site.
Have ATL questions? Ask John using this form.
IB Matters WebsiteThe IB Organization has resources on their webpages to support your learning about the ATL skills. Here is one link you may use to explore on your own.
This episode is the fourth in a series of 8 podcasts we are doing on the IB Approaches to Learning Skills known as the ATL’s that are at the core of all four International Baccalaureate Programmes. This episode features teaching Research Skills.
My guest is John Harvey, an experienced IB coordinator who has led this work in multiple schools. It is our goal to give you a coherent, sustainable, values aligned strategy to implement ATL Skills in your school.
We are also offering an opportunity for interaction. In our podcast notes you will find a link to a Google form where you can ask questions. We will take a few minutes at the end of each episode to answer questions you have about the ATL’s in your context.
John will continue to respond to your questions after these episodes are produced, so please feel free to pose your questions anytime.
In the podcast, John referred to the Big 6 and Super 3 models for building research skills. Here is a link to explore more.
Have ATL questions? Ask John using this form.
IB Matters WebsiteThe IB Organization has resources on their webpages to support your learning about the ATL skills. Here is one link you may use to explore on your own.
This episode is the third in a series of 8 podcasts we are doing on the IB Approaches to Learning Skills known as the ATL’s that are at the core of all four International Baccalaureate Programmes.
My guest is John Harvey, an experienced IB coordinator who has led this work in multiple schools. It is our goal to give you a coherent, sustainable, values aligned strategy to implement ATL Skills in your school.
We are also offering an opportunity for interaction. In our podcast notes you will find a link to a Google form where you can ask questions. We will take a few minutes at the end of each episode to answer questions you have about the ATL’s in your context.
John will continue to respond to your questions after these episodes are produced, so please feel free to pose your questions anytime.
In the podcast, John described how he prefers the Gibb's Relective Cycle. You can learn more using this link.
John also mentioned the 'Thinking Skills Across the Continuum' document he has compiled. Here is a link to that document. Be sure to check out all the tabs in the spreadsheet to access Critical thinking, Creative thinking, Information transfer, and Reflection & Metacognition.
Have ATL questions? Ask John using this form.
IB Matters WebsiteThe IB Organization has resources on their webpages to support your learning about the ATL skills. Here is one link you may use to explore on your own.
This episode is the second in a series of 8 podcasts we are doing on the IB Approaches to Learning Skills known as the ATL’s that are at the core of all four International Baccalaureate Programmes.
My guest is John Harvey, an experienced IB coordinator who has led this work in multiple schools. It is our goal to give you a coherent, sustainable, values aligned strategy to implement ATL Skills in your school.
We are also offering an opportunity for interaction. In our podcast notes you will find a link to a Google form where you can ask questions. We will take a few minutes at the end of each episode to answer questions you have about the ATL’s in your context.
John will continue to respond to you questions after these episodes are produced, so please feel free to pose your questions anytime.
In the podcast, John described how he moved some of the skills around to optimize teaching 'States of Mind' in the different IB Programmes. Here is a link to his spreadsheet so you can see how he did it: John Harvey's States of Mind Continuum Framework
Here are the 11 models John suggested. Take a look and pick one or two (or more) that fit you and your school. Links to each model can be found in the Continuum Framework document.
- Locus of Control
- Pomodoro Technique
- Guided Meditation
- Dr. Rob Bell's 8 Ways to Build Perseverance
- Michelle Borba's 6 R's of Bullying Prevention
- Prof Steve Peters Control Your Inner Chimp
- 5 Levels of Self Talk
- Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset
- IKIGAI
- SMARTER Goals
- Lance King’s Failing Well
Have ATL questions? Ask John using this form.
IB Matters WebsiteThe IB Organization has resources on their webpages to support your learning about the ATL skills. Here is one link you may use to explore on your own.
This episode is part of a series we are doing on the IB Approaches to Learning Skills known as the ATL’s that are at the core of all four International Baccalaureate Programmes.
John Harvey and I will, in these eight episodes, try to give you a coherent, sustainable, values aligned strategy to implement ATL Skills in your school.
We want to help you build your team of coordinators, teachers, librarians, and support staff.
We are also adding an opportunity for interaction. Below, you will find a link to a Google form where you can ask questions. We will take a few minutes at the end of each episode to answer questions you have about the ATL’s in your context.
Of course, as a podcast, we cannot answer live, but John will continue to respond after these episodes are produced, so please feel free to pose your questions anytime.
Have ATL questions? Ask John using this form.
IB Matters WebsiteThe IB Organization has resources on their webpages to support your learning about the ATL skills. Here is one link you may use to explore on your own.The Toulmin Model John spoke about for enhancing critical thinking skills.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Dr. David Webb about his time as a leader in IB schools in Minnesota and about his book called ‘Homerun Leadership: Your Guide to Better, Faster Team Decisions’.
If you have a leadership role in an IB school - whether it be an IB coordinator, department head, or school adminstrator this podcast is for you. Dave has put together a strategy - based on research - that gives you the tools to make decisions which will have the support of your team because they were involved in the process.
Links and more information:
- Book: Homerun Leadership: Your Guide to Better, Faster Team Decisions - Buy now
- Website: Homerunleadership.com
- Weekly Leadership Webbinars start in August - Free
- Homerunleadership.com online course to run the bases better and faster
- Phone/What’s App # 651-226-6318
IB Matters Website
In this episode we talk to four DP students from Shiv Nadar School Gurgaon. All four are in their second year of the Diploma Programme and have done a great deal of reflecting upon what they have learned so far. They have determined that mental and emotional health are tied together and can be best maintained through communication among students, teachers and school leaders. While the Diploma Programme is definitely challenging, all four of these students have found ways to be successful and they would like to share what they have learned with our audience. I think you will see how universal the IB experience is and how their toolbox can also be useful to you and your students.
Thanks to Vikas and his students, Tara, Bahaar, Madhurya, and Vakshi.
IB Matters Website
In this episode, we talk to author, Jason Ablin. His book, The Gender Equation in Schools: How to Create Equity and Fairness for all Students will be published in June 2022 and features many tools for teachers to use in beginning to create classrooms where all students feel empowered to be their best selves. Jason shares some of these tools and we hear stories of how he has worked with schools around the world on gender-aware teaching practices.
Links:
Twitter: @jasonablin
Facebook: @jasonablin.education
Instagram: jasonablin
Linkedin: Jason Ablin
Link to Jason's book on Amazon: The Gender Equation in Schools: How to Create Equity and Fairness for all Students
Link to the book on Routledge (Discounted!): The Gender Equation in Schools: How to Create Equity and Fairness for all Students
Website: Ablin Education
Blog Link: Educating Gender
Bio: With over thirty years in education and educational leadership, Jason Ablin has served as a teacher, department chair, principal, and head of school. He holds national certification in leadership coaching and mentoring from the National Association of School Principals and has supported and mentored new leaders throughout the country for over ten years. As an instructor at American Jewish University’s MA in Education and in school-based teacher workshops, he trains teachers to create gender aware classrooms and has taught year-long courses in the relationship between cognitive neuroscience and education. He is the founder and director of AJU’s Mentor Teacher Certification Program and consults with schools across the country supporting their efforts to become more gender aware and gender fair. Jason Ablin lives in Los Angeles for over thirty years with his wife and two daughters.
IB Matters website
In this episode we return talk to Vikas Pahwa. This time the conversation centers on leadership in IB and International schools. Vikas has recently contributed an article for an upcoming book on this subject and we found this to be a good opportunity to share our thoughts and experiences regarding great school leadership.
By the way, if you are in Minnesota, our MNIB Leadership Award nomination form is available on the MNIB website and nominations for this year close on June 15th, 2022. The link is also below.
Some of Vikas' links and contact information:
LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/vikas-pahwa-54b59ba2
Books:
- GRIT - Angela Duckworth
- 7 habits of highly effective people - Stephen Covey
- Collected Works: Khalil Gibran
- A more Beautiful Question - Warren Berger
- Leaders eat last - Simon Sinek
- Deep Work - Cal Newport
- The Value Compass - Dr. Mandeep Rai
- Yearbook of Education
- Digital Minimalism - Carl Newport
- Developing the leaders around you - C.J Maxwell
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pascalbornet_inspiration-leadership-activity-6864796138881605632-yw9v
https://hbr.org/2021/11/becoming-a-more-humane-leader?utm_campaign=hbr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin
MNIB Leadership Award nomination form
IB Matters Website
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Dr. Aarti Bakshi of Pathways School in Noida, India. As you will hear, she is a very enthusistic counselor who has used every resource available - and few she conjured up - to create a positive school culture which brings the full nature of an IB education to fruition. Dr. Bakshi describes how she, along with teachers and school leaders, have created a model for building a culture which supports inquiry and student well-being. Be sure to check out the extensive list of resources in the podcast notes for how you can do the same.
Dr. Bakshi's links:
- https://www.saareducation.com/app/books/get_flip_book_preview/576
- Each worksheet is scaffolded with the videos, a peek
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZwHm840X4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7R6MRHmX3E
More Links:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xVYT0umPbA
- Mindfulness at Pathways School https://blogs.ibo.org/sharingpyp/2017/06/13/how-teacher-and-counselor-join-forces/
Contact information:
- Twitter: @bakshiaarti
- Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarti-bakshi-b5447555
- Instagram: bakshi3033
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bakshiaarti?_rdr
- Email: bakshiaarti@gmail.com
IB Matters Website
In this episode, we talk to Era Dogra about her role as a coordinator of the social emotional learning programs in her school. Listeners will hear how she and her team have implemented necessary supports for students experiencing a lack of personal connections while they are learning in isolation from home. They have found that, by making the programs customized to their school context, the changes they have made will actually be useful even when they return to in-person classrooms.
Era's links:
- https://seelearning.emory.edu/node/5
- https://casel.org/
- https://www.schoolday.com/en/
If you are ready to be a part of the podcast and want to share some aspect of your educational practice, we encourage you to reach out by emailing us at IBMatters@mnibschools.org or DM us on twitter @MattersIB.
IB Matters Website
In this episode, we talk to Shradha Narayanan from Toddle about the upcoming Inquiry Educators Summit (TIES). This will be third time they have offered this event but there are many changes in place for this version. In particular, this time there will be pre-conference meet-ups and then ongoing follow-up sessions for several months after the main event.
TIES is back for its third and largest edition yet. Designed to be a festival of learning like no other, TIES 2022 will feature 100+ phenomenal thinkers and doers across 10+ unique session formats.
Head to www.toddleapp.com/ties now to get your All Access Pass!
As listeners of the IB Matters Podcast, you can get upto 20% off on TIES 2022 Passes by using the discount code TIES2022IBM at the checkout.
So hurry and get your All Access Pass today!
Follow @toddle_edu on Twitter, @toddleapp on Instagram, @Toddle - YourTeaching Partner on LinkedIn, and @toddle.edu on Facebook.
IB Matters Website
In this episode we talk to 5 students from Ebenezer International School in Bangalore, India and their Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) teacher Bhavya Prabu. These students have created a CAS Project based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (known as the UN SDG’s). They mentor younger students to learn about particular SDG’s and then help them develop TED Talk format speeches for their peers. To make it even more challenging they have done this while never setting foot in the school or meeting their mentee students face to face.
This project illustrates the extraordinary young people who take on the Diploma Programme. Each of these students deserves a huge salute for their service to others and their commitment to making the world a better place.
As a privacy precaution, the students’ school has asked that listeners fill out a form if you would like to see their web page for this project.
Link to access the website: Google form. (Sorry this link is coming soon)
IB Matters on Twitter: @MattersIB
IB Matters Facebook page
IB Matters Web page
In this episode of we return to talk to Vikas Pahwa about the IB approach to teaching Geography. His experience with both the MYP and DP makes him a good ambassador for the subject.
Vikas has a deep respect, understanding, and appreciation for Geography and he makes a great case for including the subject as one of your options in Group 3 of the Diploma Programme.
Some of Vikas' links:
Geography Pods
The Geographer online
National Geographic
Geography All the WayOpen Geography
**Books mentioned in the Podcast:
Prisoners of Geography
The History of Geography
All Possible Worlds: History of Geographical Ideas.
The revenge of Geography
Views of Nature
The Great Arc**
IB Matters Website
In this episode we talk to Lucia Figar and Barry Cooper of The Global College in Madrid, Spain. They are two of the principal figures in the startup of this brand new IB School based on entrepreneurship. It will be a unique member of the IB community but it has all of the key attributes every new IB school requires: a rigorous and well-planned curriculum, a caring and dedicated staff and a mission aligned to the principles guiding all IB Schools.
You can learn much more about The Global College, or even look into enrolling there, by going to their website using link below.
The Global College website
IB Matters website
In this episode we talk to Bhavya Prabu about the IB approach to teaching and learning science from MYP to DP. Bhavya has experience teaching in both the Diploma Programme and the Middle Years Programme so she has an excellent perspective for this discussion.
We talk about the structure and requirements of a couple of DP science courses, specifically Biology and ESS. But we also get into the philosophy of the IB approach and how the skill building seen in the MYP leads to success later on in the DP.
Bhavya has generously shared a number of teacher resources and examples which you can find in our podcast notes,below.
Bhavya on LinkedIn
Bhavya (webinar) on Personalised learning https://www.gotostage.com/channel/c8b871e752324ccd95f03faefcf04293/recording/4772e0274dd14afd9388764c6a1a3c3f/watch
(blog):IB ATL
https://www.managebac.com/blog/strategies-for-fostering-the-ib-approaches-to-learning-atl-in-myp-and-dp-classrooms
Integrating Personalised Backward Design Model in Scientific Teaching for the New Normal
Blended Learning presentation
Websites for educators( New to teaching The IBDP course)
For Biology
https://ib.bioninja.com.au/
https://www.youtube.com/user/misterleescience/featured
https://www.youtube.com/user/SCScienceVid/featured
https://www.biologyforlife.com/
For ESS
https://mrkremerscience.com/ess/
https://sites.google.com/a/wis.edu.hk/ess/
https://sciencesauceonline.com/ibess/
IB Matters Website
In this episode we talk to Lisa Maren Thompson from Sejong Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota. Sejong Academy is an MYP candidate school nearing the end of the candidacy phase to become an official IB World School.
Like the other podcasts we have done in the “Becoming an IB School” series, the keys to a succesful IB school candidacy are the people in the school community. They need to be knowledgeable, passionate and above all, caring. Lisa and the staff at Sejong have all of these attributes. Listen to hear how they are transforming their school and building toward upcoming site visits from their consultant and the verification team.
You can learn much more about Sejong Academy, and becoming an IB World School using the links below and by checking out other podcasts we have produced on the process of becoming an IB School.
Lisa's Twitter contact linkSejong Academy website
International-mindedness film link
Introduction to the IB Programmes (self-paced guide from the MNIB website)
IB Matters websiteBecoming an iB School(Other episodes on 'Becoming an IB school' from the IB Matters website)
IB Website on becoming an IB World School
In an effort to promote equity, excellence and inclusion in IB programs, Tim Kane and Asheesh Misra from IBSchoolImprovement.com help schools develop strategies to maximize success in the Diploma exams. These strategies lead to more students enrolling in the classes, taking the exams, and benefitting from the exposure to challenging curriculum. These benefits have been shown to follow students throughout their lives as they pursue further education and rewarding careers.
To this end, Tim and Asheesh return for the fourth time to the podcast. This time, they focus on the unique benefits available to teachers and coordinators due to the modified evaluation methods employed during the pandemic. One big takeaway - utilize the enquiry upon results (EUR) option to look at your internal assessments. It's a benefit that will pay dividends for years to come.
IBSchoolImprovement.com
IB Matters website
This is be one of the more personal episodes in this podcast series, as I speak to Jake Rosch. Jake’s parents have been close friends for decades and I’ve known Jake since he was in pre-school.
Jake is now Director of Educational Technology at College du Leman, an IB school in Switzerland. We speak about international teaching, blended learning, being an Apple Distinguished Educator, and the philosophy of teaching as a life-long mission.
I’m sure you will be as inspired, as I was proud, to hear from Jake.
Jake's Links:
- Blended Learning magazine interview
- Jake's LinkedIn contact
- Talking in Class: Structured Student Dialogue Activities
- College du Leman: Our Story (Apple book by Jake Rosch)
Other links from the podcast:
MNIB 'Introduction to the IB Programmes' webpage
IB Matters Webpage
In this episode we speak with Joelle Amuah who is a 17 year old student beginning her second year of the Diploma Programme at Aves International Academy in Ghana. She wrote a blog ("My awesome IB experience so far") recently sharing her experience in year one of the DP. She described all the ways she grew as a person and as a student in just one year of the Diploma Programme. I reached out to see if she would share this story and she agreed. She also gives advice to students just starting out in the DP.
Be sure to read the original blog post which is linked below and on our facebook page.
Joelle's blogpost:My awesome IB experience so far
IB Matters website
IB Matters facebook
In this episode of we take a close look at the DP History course, one of the key aspects of any Diploma student’s experience in the IB.
Our guest is Vikas Pahwa who is an experienced DP History teacher in the city of Gurgaon, India. What I loved about this conversation was the universality of the DP History approach he describes. I felt like I was talking to one of the teachers in my own school because the IB History approach can be applied in any geographical or societal context. It truly is international.
Books referenced by Vikas:
- Geographic Pivot of History - Sir Halford Mackinder
- Power of Geography - Tim Marshall
- From Silk to Silicon - Jeffrey Garten
Links:
Helpful websites:
- Theoryofknowledge.net
- Activehistory
- Johndclare.net
- Schoolhistory
- Ichistory.com
- History.com
The IB website History page
IB Matters Web Page
In this episode we talk to Wendy Heydorn and Susan Jesudason who have recently revised their TOK texts pubished by Cambridge University Press.
They give us a great tour of the newly revised TOK curriculum which could serve as a primer for anyone returning to the classroom this fall to teach the new TOK course with first exams in the Spring of 2022.
They also share a tour of their books including the TOK Course Guide, Decoding the TOK, and the Digital teacher resources set in case you want get copies for your school. Look for lots of links to these resources in the podcast notes.
For those in the US don’t forget about that discount code which is POD25 for your first order with them. Just mention it in email correspondence when you place your first order in the US.
Link to the Course Guide
Link to Decoding TOK
Link to the Teacher Resources
Link to the IB website with a summary of the specification
https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/publications/recognition/core-tok-2022-en.pdf
TOK bite video clips:
https://www.cambridge.org/us/education/blog/2020/10/05/tok-bite-video-1-whats-new-ib-syllabus-and-support-available/
https://www.cambridge.org/SO/education/blog/2020/10/05/tok-bite-video-2-teaching-new-core-theme-knowledge-and-knower/
https://www.cambridge.org/bs/education/blog/2020/10/05/ok-bite-video-3-part-1-how-make-tok-relevant-learners/
https://www.cambridge.org/us/education/blog/2020/10/05/how-make-tok-relevant-students-technology-reflection-and-extended-essay/
https://oxplore.org/
Wendy: @theoryknowledge
https://theoryofknowledgestudent.com (slightly out of date but lots of resources)
IB Matters links:
IB Matters websiteIBMatters Facebook page
In this episode we talk to Guru Charan Kumar of India about his work teaching the IB Diploma ESS Course but mostly we talk about taking his students on exciting trips to support the classroom teaching with real life field experiences. Guru makes a great case for getting out there but he also has tips for those of you wanting to plan for such a trip. He even tells a couple harrowing tales which have created life-long memories for both he and his students.
If you have a favorite place to take students please tweet it out and tag us @mattersIB and also tag Guru @greenguru2013. We would love to see where you take your students all over the world
Links to connect with Guru and to see some of his trip videos:
- My website: https://gurucharanmantra.wixsite.com/mysite
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Greenguru2013
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gurucharankumar/
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsDy4JIHFQ1SMIUcQMXxFFg
- My Club YouTube channel (I run a club called the "Clicking Club" for photographers at my school) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFt9LuEN1K5QqInE0UBx9jQ
- My Subject Website https://www.essgurumantra.com/
My Journey Website
- https://gurucharanmantra.wixsite.com/mysite
- Slideshare : http://www.slideshare.net/kingcobra2012
- Symbaloo : http://edu.symbaloo.com/mix/edutools297
- Instagram: gurumantra007
Guru's list of recent trips:
- 2011-Gangotri, Himalaya
- 2012-Niligris & Assam
- 2013-Ropar Wetland & Gir Forest
- 2014- Maha Kumbh Mela, Allahabad
- 2015-Kashmir
- 2016-Antodaynya-Travelling from Varanasi to Sundarbans
- 2017-Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- 2018 -Rishikesh
- 2019-Sunderabans
IB Matters Website
In this episode we return to talk to Asnaha Farheen from Abdul Kadir Molla International School in Bangladesh. This time we focus on the PYP Exhibition - the culminating activity of any student’s PYP experience offered in either 5th or 6th grade. Asnaha talks about how they prepare for the Exhibition and how it has been different under the COVID restrictions.
Links:
FirstBlog about mentoring the Exhibitionfrom 2016
PYP Exhibitionrecorded live YouTube
Playlist of Recorded Videoof Individual group presentations!
Quality Education
Sustainable cities and communities
Good health and wellbeing
Affordable and Clean energy
IB Matters Website
In this episode we return to talk to Novadene Miller who teaches at the Ecole Privee Bilingue International in southern France. Novadene was a recent guest talking about the MYP Individuals and Societies course. The feedback was so great we just had to have her back.
This time we focus on the MYP Design course and how it fits beautifully into the development of young people in the Middle Years. Novadene even frames her school's recent MYP authorization process to the aspects of the design course.
Example of pedagogical kit tools in light of covid : Let's Explore Europe | Learning Corner (europa.eu)
IB Matters Website
MNIB Schools Website link to Introduction to the IB Programmes
IBO website regarding the MYP
In this episode we talk to Era Dogra about the Microsoft Innovative Educators Excellence (MIEE) Program. Even before the pandemic, the use of electronic tools in education had been incresing tremendously. The need for online platforms and communication caused by the COVID restrictions has only caused this trend to balloon exponentially. It is important for teachers to be adept at navigating many different platforms and resources. Era gives us a tour of Microsoft’s Innovative Educator program and tells us how it helps her and her students every day. Check out the links below for more information and to see how you can apply.
Links:
- To apply for the MIEE: https://education.microsoft.com/en-us
- To learn more: https://youtu.be/PC0xb-7OoN4
Era on Twitter: @Eradogra
Now that we have over 70 IB Matters episodes covering a range of subjects, you can use our podcast webpage which is organized by programme and by topic.
Link: IB Matters Website
In this episode we talk to Nupur Sinha Agrawal of Genesis Global School in India. She tells us about the Early Years of the PYP which is defined as ages 3 to 6 years old with a focus on the Pre-K from ages 3 to 4.
Many who think of IB, think of the Diploma Program and don’t realize that IB is actually a continuum reaching such young people. Of course, at that early age, it is not exams and intense study. It is much more about play and finding out about themselves as they learn to get along and to explore the world using their natural curiosity.
Nupur takes us on a tour of the many important aspects of the Early Years and its role in developing young minds during these formative times. She shares many examples of how teachers, students, and parents learn form having a learning framework in place to capture a student's growth and encourage important partnerships among the key people in each child's life.
Nupur's contact information:
Linkedin & Facebook: NupurSA
Twitter: @nupur05
Instagram: @nupurkidiary
IB Matters Website
Our "Introduction to the IB Programmes" referenced in the podcast
In this episode we talk to Novadene Miller who teaches at the Ecole Privee Bilingue International in southern France.
Our discussion centers on how the MYP framework specifically addresses the Individuals and Societies subject area. While it has examples from one subject, it serves as an example of how the MYP approach makes any subject more enriching for both the students and the teachers.
Novadene gives several examples of how her students are given the freedom to inquire and take action beyond the curriculum when operating in an MYP classroom. Be sure to check out her links below to see her published articles and resources she has used with her students.
Novadene's Links:
- Teaching MYP individuals and societies in a changing world | IB Community Blog (ibo.org)
- Example of pedagogical kit tools in light of covid : Let's Explore Europe | Learning Corner (europa.eu)
- Example of linking units to current projects with decision making choices and concrete actions - Ecosystem-Restoration-Playbook.pdf (widen.net)
- Example of research article that can provide examples on primary research : Auteurs - Miller Novadene (openedition.org)
IB Matters Website
In this episode we talk to a panel of past guests of the podcast, all of whom teach in India or Bangladesh. They discussed how they and their communities are coming together in this very challenging time as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting much of South Asia. You’ll hear that, even in these difficult times, hope for the future is strong and they are finding ways to support their learners and celebrate the teachers, students and communities working together to help each other.
Our guests, in order of appearance, were: Monika Kala, Vandana Parashar, Rezuan Chowdry, Humera Riyaz, Bhavna Mathew and Manisha Rana.
Links:
- Resources
- (4) Till We Meet Again, A children's book about death and grieving - YouTube (‘How to deal with grief’)-Manisha Rana
- 25 Children's Books That Explain Death And Grief To Kids | HuffPost Life -Manisha Rana
- https://www.acseusa.org/journal/index.php/aijbms/article/view/248/245 - (Research paper: Impact of COVID on Online Teaching Platform: Study on IB Curriculum in Bangladesh)
- https://www.acseusa.org/journal/index.php/aijelr/article/view/292 - (Research Paper: Impact of E -Learning in education sector: Challenges and Prospects of collaboration in remote learning)
- https://wke.lt/w/s/xBWdPM - Bhavna Mathew (Online resources- Mindfulness Chants , Brain Break ideas, Interesting Online tools for virtual lessons , Virtual tours)
- https://wke.lt/w/s/2K0BJ3 - Blogs for teachers
- https://wke.lt/w/s/_wskyy - A book recommendation for teachers
- https://wke.lt/w/s/yk-ukP - Kindness Project
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlUxXexjhYI : Invisible strings- connecting with people you love even if they are not around: Vandana Parasher (Vandana - I love this story )
**Contact information for our guests:
Monika Kala
IB PYP Coordinator, Genesis Global school**
- Twitter: @MonikaKala7
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-kala-45b32b51/
- Email: coordinator.pyp@genesisgs.edu.in, monikakala@gmail.com
- Latest workshop on Tools and strategies to make learning visible will be available on IB Educators chat site.
Rezuan Chowdhury: IB PYP Educator
- Twitter: @Rez31447712
- Email: rez.akmis2020@gmail.com
- Linkedin: Rez Chowdhury (http://linkedin.com/in/rez-chowdhury-0147871ab)
Manisha Rana
Grade Level Coordinator and home room teacher
- Twitter: @manisharana244
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/manisharana244
- Email : manisharana24@gmail.com
Vandana Parasher
PYPC, Pathways School Noida India, IBEN
- Twitter: @vandysays
- Email: vandana.parasher@pathways.in
Bhavna Mathew
- Twitter: @MathewBhavna
- email: mathewbhavna23@gmail.com
In this brief episode we talked to Deepanshu Arora of Toddle about the TIES 2021 Conference. TIES stands for “The Inquiry Educators Summit” and was held May 14th through May 16th with sessions in different time zones and in both English and Spanish.
Use our podcast links below to register (so you have access to recordings of the event) and to donate to their designated fund to help students most affected by the current pandemic in India.
Now that the event has passed, you can still take advantage of the sessions attended by over 20,000 educators from around the world by watching the recordings.
All session recordings are on the event agenda page now for those who have registered. For those who want to access the videos, they can simply register and access them.
A note that Day 3 of TIES (in Espanol) is on May 22nd. Those recordings will be processed by May 24th and made available on the website.
Links:
- Registration: for Ties: http://bit.ly/ToddleTIES21
- Toddle website: Toddle
- Fundraiser Campaign ink (new) - https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-children-150
IB Matters Website
We talk to Asheesh Misra and Tim Kane from IB School improvement.com about this year’s exams and the important role of the predicted grades in this and future exam cycles. We also talk about how Internal assessments should be a big focus for DP/CP teachers as they judge their capacity to help students and their IB programs to succeed. Tim walks us through how each DP cohort has a different challenge moving forward and starts the conversation regarding how we can serve their different needs coming out of the pandemic.
Links:
IBSchoolImprovement.com
Blog post about Predicted GradesIB Matters Podcast website
In this episode we talk to my good friend Paul Koenig. I’ve known Paul for nearly 40 years and he is one of the most reflective teachers I have worked with. I thought we could all benefit from talking with him about his work supervising new teachers and what he considers key to improving our profession through thoughful reflection and support.
IB Matters Website
In this episode we talk to Asnaha Farheen about her work as the Bangladesh PYP network lead and about IB Pedagogical leadership in a crisis like the one we are experiencing now during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We also get a preview of a global PYP networking event (JAS Live) Asnaha is hosting in mid-April 2021.
Please check out the links below where you will find numerous links to the event and recordings made for your use after the event.
WATCH JAS: Links to recorded JAS Sessions
Twitter: @asnahafarheen
Lausanne Learning link to Asnaha
Some of Asnaha's published articles:
- https://blogs.ibo.org/sharingpyp/2016/08/09/a-rewarding-experience-of-mentoring-the-pyp-exhibition/
- https://blogs.ibo.org/sharingpyp/2018/08/28/how-to-gain-an-insight-as-a-pedagogical-leader/
- https://blogs.ibo.org/sharingpyp/2020/06/24/becoming-an-authorized-pyp-school-the-remote-verification-visit/
Our previous podcasts:
- https://www.buzzsprout.com/285701/1958041-building-a-pyp-school-culture-with-asnaha-farheen
- http://ib_matters.buzzsprout.com/285701/3192064-becoming-an-ib-school-covid-19-edition-a-virtual-authorization-visit-w-asnaha-fahreen
IB Matters Website
We talk to Charles Hopkins at the American School of Kinshasa (TASOK) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo about the MYP Personal Project.
It is Project season across the IB Continuum. From the PYP Exhibition to the DP CAS and TOK projects, IB students across the world are demonstrating their learning in many ways. We will hear three MYP students describe their Personal Projects and Charles will give context for those interested in how a school new to the MYP has approached the challenge of implementing this important aspect of the Middle Years Programme.
Thanks to Geselle and Davina (as well as student #2) for their willingness to share their projects with us.
Students whose MYP school ends before 10th grade complete the Community project which is the subject of another IB Matters podcast.
We have another IB Matters episode about the Personal Project in which Jon Eversoll goes into detail about the entire process of creating and evaluating the projects here.
You can learn more about the MYP and the Personal Project here**.
Connect with Charles Hopkins:**
- Twitter: @chopscidesign
- Email: Chopscidesign@gmail.com
- On the Web: www.chopscidesign.com
IB Matters Website
A common thread running through all IB Programmes is the commitment to service learning. From the beginning of an IB student’s education, they are exposed to, and participate in, hands-on efforts to help others through the IB Mission which is, in part, to create a better and more peaceful world.
Years ago Stu Keroff began a service club at a local IB School in Minnesota that collected and refurbished old computers and then gave them to students and families in need. They used the open source Linux operating system to make the effort (and the computers) affordable.
When I heard Stu had taken this idea to his new (non-IB) school, I thought it was an idea worth sharing with the greater IB world.
In this episode, we talk to Stu and several of his students from Aspen Academy in Savage, Minnesota. Listen to hear directly from Stu and his students how the program works and how you can use a program similar to this to provide for your local community.
The idea is so well-suited to IB schools around the world because students of all ages whether in PYP, MYP, DP, or CP could replicate this work in some form.
Students featured in this episode: Cam Citrowske, Ethan Tinega, Jayden Anunda
Links:
- www.linuxclubguide.com
- https://twitter.com/studoeslinux
- https://aspenacademymn.org/penguin-corps/
- https://kstp.com/news/middle-school-students-tech-skills-help-others-learn-from-home/5854002/
- https://opensource.com/article/20/7/donate-linux
- https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/09/11/students-at-shakopee-school-fix-computers-and-give-them-to-classmates
- https://www.swnewsmedia.com/savage_pacer/news/local/news_briefs/aspen-academy-wins-stem-innovation-award/article_ea83a343-8498-5be7-a2dd-13f1dc988380.html
- Email studoeslinux@gmail.com
IB Matters Website
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Manisha Rana of Genesis School in Noida India. She shares her vision for education coming out of the pandemic and she also presents some the things she learned at the recent IB Virtual Conference.
IB Matters Website
Resources
www.Edutopia.org
www.ibresources.com
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Alexis Fuller from Cambridge University Press about the Extended Essay. Alexis has vast experience as a Extended Essay supervisor - she has read and evaluated hundreds of Extended Essays and specializes in the World Studies Extended Essay in her work. I really enjoyed our conversation and I think any Diploma teacher or Supervisor will find her insights useful.
She also shares how Cambridge University Press publications help classroom teachers and IB students find the connections to the Extended Essay within their coursework.
Cambridge University Press is offering US Listeners of the podcast 25% off their next order of IBDP materials by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
The IB Voices podcast I referenced in the podcast was episode #62 with Astrophysicist Erin MacDonald and was published on February 11th 2021.
Links for Alexis and Cambridge University Press:
- IB landing page
- Digital Evaluation Materials
- My contact info: afuller@cambridge.org
- My Linkedin page
IB Matters Website
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Monika Kala from the Genesis Global School in Noida, India.
Our conversation focuses on professional development in an IB school. Monika shares some of the strategies they use in her school to keep teachers engaged and challenging themselves to keep learning. There are even some practices which have been made easier with the restrictions of the pandemic.
Great PD resources:
- www.pypresources.com
- www.ibo.org
- www.pypteachingtools.com
Socials:
- Twitter: @MonikaKala7
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-kala-45b32b51/
- Email: coordinator.pyp@genesisgs.edu.in, monikakala@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monika.kala.716
**Teaching and Learning Presentation: Available on TeachConX2021 site.
Other useful links:*IB Matters websiteMNIB Website link to IB introductions for new teachers*
Our guest, Bhavna Mathew, from Pathways World School in Aravali, India is another example of one who makes the time to not only support and teach her own students but to then share her ideas on multiple platforms and in many different venues. She is a certified Montessori teacher, a Flipgrid Educator, a Wakelet Ambassador, a SeeSaw Ambassador and a teach UN Sustainable Development Goals (known as SDG’s) Ambassador.
Today she talks to us about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and how they are the focal point of taking action in PYP and other IB continuum classes.
Links:
**Twitter - @MathewBhavna
Desiretolearn**
IG -bhavna_mathew
SDG resources - https://wke.lt/w/s/vjFY3k(This Wakelet has lots of great examples and a link to Bhavna's ISTE presentation registration)
Other links: https://youtu.be/khoGtcT_nFM
Upcoming presentation (February 20):
ISTE Global Collaboration PLN: Transforming Education in the Era of Global Collaboration
IB Matters Website
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Sonia Singh, a PYP Coordinator at Prometheus School in Dehli India. After talking a bit about her upcoming virtual authorization, we hear from Sonia about some truly innovative and effective ways they build students' socio emotional connections.
I was truly impressed with all the ways they are helping students connect with each other and with their teachers while learning remotely.
Some of the strategies we spoke about in the podcast -
Processes introduced to ensure students interacted socially with their peers and teachers for closer bonding:
a. Zoom breakfast
b. One on one student connect time
c. Morning connect with students everyday
d. Talent show days
**Some processes for emotional well being:
a. Mindfulness assemblies done by Ms. Amber of Dinocrew
b. Regular in class mindfulness lessons
c. Silent work time with background music
d. Choice activities for students
e. Stretching exercises for 5 mins before the onset of every lesson to avoid zoom fatigue
f. Quality circle time with students to address individual issues
Links:
Quality Circle Time : https://www.circle-time.co.uk/our-approach/quality-circle-time/**
Socials:
Twitter: @soniasingh_13
Linkedin : www.linkedin.com/in/soniasingh13
Instagram: soniasingh13
Facebook:www.facebook.com/soniasingh13/
Email: soniasingh13@gmail.com
IB Matters website
in this episode of IB Matters we talk to Angela Jerabek, the founder of the BARR Model and one of her colleagues at the BARR Center, Hannah Scherer. As all IB educators know, there is much more going on in IB schools than just their respective IB Programmes.
Every school needs a strong and collaborative staff dedicated to the success of their students. Angela and her team have created, in the BARR model, a highly researched and effective set of strategies that is beginning to spread in IB schools (and non- IB schools) to ensure teachers have the means to identify student concerns and also the means to address them.
BARR stands for Building Assets, Reducing Risks and is an educational model that improves the education system and creates strong schools and communities by empowering students, teachers, staff and family with intentionally deepened relationships and data so that schools can re-align existing resources to nurture a unified and personalized culture of support and success for each and every student, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Listen as we introduce you to this intriguing way to make your school even more responsive to the development of IB principles and practices.
Links:
- BARR Center website: https://barrcenter.org
- Socials:
- Twitter: @BarrCenter
- Facebook: @BARRCenter
- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCop1v_JGzQjIc5XPXVaVhdw
- Research:
- Evidence for ESSA
- BARR Results
- Blog(s)
- ECS Blog “Relationships Matter for Student Outcomes, Statistically Speaking”
- eSchoolNews “3 reasons social-emotional learning is of paramount importance”
- Videos:
- BARR at Snowden International (IB School)
- American Institutes of Research Video about BARR’s Impact
IB Matters WebsiteExplore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Rezuan Chowdhury. Rezuan discusses how he mixes teaching students while also conducting research aimed at improving teaching in the greater educational community.
Rezuan is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh and is a Primary Years teacher in an IB school there. He is great example of a collaborative IB teacher who not only is dedicated to helping his students grow, but he goes out of his way to contribute to teacher growth as well.
Rezuan has recently published research aimed at improving E-learning effectiveness. He is particularly interested in improving access for students without reliable internet or the devices necessary to use it. He has carried this message to teachers around the world through webinars hosted in several countries.
I think you’ll sense his energy and heartfelt dedication to teaching as you listen.
Links:
- View of Impact of COVID on Online Teaching Platform: Study on IB Curriculum in Bangladesh | American International Journal of Business and Management Studies https://www.acseusa.org/journal/index.php/aijbms/article/view/248/245
- Link of the Global IB Classroom and attached the video that GIBC prepared for promoting their association. (Link coming) Thanks for your patience.
- Jamboard:
- https://jamboard.google.com/d/1ObQxbqqlyZU1kpcxdQZjSfxh1ouhHzBbYaf56_U0Uss/viewer?f=0
- Socials:
- WhatsApp: +88 1715504958
- Twitter: @Rez31447712
- Linkedin: Rez Chowdhury (http://linkedin.com/in/rez-chowdhury-0147871ab)
IB Matters WebsiteIB Website
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Paul Campbell of IB Americas about the first ever IB Virtual Global Conference. #IBVirtual
This event, created out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a great demonstration of how important gathering, sharing, and learning continue to be for everone in the IB Community. It clearly illustrates the Global nature of the IB movement with 4500 registrants from 110 countries participating over four days.
Links:
- IB Conference website: https://www.ibo.org/ib-virtual-global-conference-2020/
- Hashtag: #IBVirtual
The IB Matters Website
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Chad Hyatt from Washington Township Schools in Indiana. Chad is an IB curriculum coach in his all-IB District
Our conversation begins with how Chad helps teachers and students to limit teaching to the key points in this online or hybrid learning environment. Some things simply must be set aside when extraordinary circumstances exist. However, in an IB school or system, there are still effective and critical strategies that can be employed and Chad walks us through a few of these.
Then Chad shares some of the great resources he has found and, in some cases, helped provide through vendors, websites and FaceBook groups. Stay tuned to the end to hear about these and be sure to check our podcast notes for the many resources referenced in our discussion.
Links:
Chad's socials:
- Email: chipster6498@yahoo.com
- Twitter: @PDin140orLESS
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvl0m0PXg1e8Owp_Q5RUkKQ/videos
- Blog(s): https://learn.toddleapp.com/blog_post/planning-an-upper-primary-unit-of-inquiry-planning-and-evolving-simultaneously/
Other useful links:
- Books and other resources:
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sQ8IiJeZ6VbNv2ScXV7_W8BqCMPClez5RlWY7zgikbM/edit?usp=sharing
- Teashares Website: http://teashares.com/
- Toddle website
IB Matters Website
Follow us on Twitter @MattersIB
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
Hi - welcome back to season 2 of IB Matters. This episode brings back Tim Kane and Asheesh Misra from IB Schoolimprovement.com with their take on the 2020 IB exam issues and how they have helped schools work with the fallout and results from this unique situation.
We did simultaneously video record this episode because Tim shared his screen to illustrate the ways in which the scores werre determined in a year without exams. He also showed some of the tools they use to help schools increase access by better understanding how scores are determined in a more typical year.
So, if you want to switch over and watch this episode rather than just listen, go to the MNIB YouTube Channel. You can see everything Tim and Asheesh were talking about. The data visualizations are clear and very illuminating. Links are below.*
So please listen (or watch) as we break down the 2020 exam season and help you plan for the next round of exams, whether it be November 2020 or May 2021.
Links:
IBschoolimprovement.com
Link to video: https://youtu.be/wQ4TWq87EWA
IB Matters podcast web page
*We may also be sharing some screen shots so you can find Tim's slides without having to watch the whole video - look for those to be uploaded in the coming days.
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Oanh Crouch, a director of education at Globeducate Schools working in Madrid. Oanh’s extensive experience working in IB schools, serves her well working for this global consortium of 50 Schools whose mission aligns perfectly with the IB.
Our conversation focused on ways her schools are using the COVID19 crisis as an opportunity to improve instruction and bring all parts of the educational community together.
Given the uncertainty about how schools will look in the Fall, I’m sure we can all benefit from learning effective strategies that can be replicated in our own schools.
Links:
IB Matters Website
Oanh Crouch on Twitter: @OanhCrouch
Link to Globeducate Schools website
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
This is the 7th episode in the series on Becoming an IB School featuring Rockford High School about 40 miles west of Minneapolis, MN.
As you may recall from previous episodes, Rockford is applying simultaneously to become an MYP, DP and a CP school. It’s a big task in any year but it became doubly difficult with the onset of the COVID-19 crisis of 2020.
Local Rockford parent, Maris Ehlers is the host and asks IB coordinator, Dr. Matthew Scheidler questions about the end of the 2020 school year in the time of the Corona virus and she asks about the virtual consultant visits they had this Spring. They also talk about the process of adding official IB policies as required in the IB application process. Dr. Scheidler talks about getting all the stakeholders involved which is the best practice encouraged by IB.
Links:
IB Matters Website
Becoming an IB School - from IBO.org
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode we talk to Andy Richardson whose IB journey is an example of, not only the world-wide influence of the IB, but also the personal journey of IB teachers as they realize the value IB teaching brings to their students, wherever they are.
We also discuss building a personal network of engaged educators through blogs, social media, and other platforms. In Andy’s case, most of his work is in the MYP Design course and he shares several ideas about teaching design, both in-person and online.
Links:
IB Matters Website
From the conversation:
Andy's Blog: https://pandiononline.com
Scratch - online coding application:https://scratch.mit.edu/
Jason Reagin's DesignCast Podcast
In this episode of IB Matters we talk with Jon Halligan, an experienced IB educator based in the Netherlands about the unique place of the Career-related Programme (the CP) in the suite of IB offerings.
His recently published article (linked below) challenges the IB to help the CP take itself out from the shadow of the more well-known Diploma Programme. Jon argues that each Programme has its own strengths and the CP should have a chance to mature into the equal partner it deserves to be.
Jon Halligan also talks about the new schools group starting up with a unique take on sharing CTE resources across schools to give greater options for students anywhere.
Links:
The LinkedIn article that sparked this conversation
Jon Halligan's series on the future of work
TES Podcast with IB Director General Siva Kumari
IB Matters Podcast
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to four outstanding members of the Minesota IB community who will share their reactions to the murder of George Floyd in our State and in our local community here in Minneapolis.
Anne Lalonde Laux, Chad Owen, Jenny Magdal, and Angela Wilcox are each IB coordinators representing the full IB continuum. Each has a very personal reaction to the events of the past weeks and they share their ideas and hopes for how schools can support students and teachers as we all try to make permanent changes using the momentum created by these terrible events.
Links:
IB Matters website
From the conversation:
- https://www.joincampaignzero.org/#vision
- Courageous Conversations About Race by Glenn Singleton
- Leading equity podcast
- https://blogs.ibo.org/blog/2018/01/22/a-teachers-guide-using-social-justice-topics-in-the-classroom/
From Chad:
Sending Messages of Hope - going into the summer
- Bookend videos by the principal explaining the purpose and hope for the videos and closing with his/her own farewell message.
- As many adults as possible, record (approximately) 7 seconds of themselves sending off our students with one or more messages of:
- Strength for the coming summer in the face of uncertain and challenging times. Encourage them to be inquirers and reflective about who they are and how they choose to meet challenges.
- Family support and point out that they have caring Friends who are allies.
- Love, for who they are and what they have accomplished and the principled decisions they have made .
- Encouragement to become knowledgeable and to be both open-minded and thoughtful risk-takers as they process events with their friends, families, and communities.
In this unique episode we talk to Jason Reagin, the host of another IB-centered podcast called “Design Cast”. His podcast is focused on aspects of design curriculum in an IB context and includes very practical information for IB teachers. We are also joined by our MNIB president, Kurt Carlson who, like Jason, is a very experienced member of IBEN - that’s the IB Educator Network and a design teacher himself.
Our discussion included a wide range of topics from design teaching to assessment, the Career-related Programme, distance learning, and even a bit about podcasting for an IB audience.
- At around 30 minutes in we talk about using IB criteria while assessing online projects.
- At 38 minutes, we talk about teachers’ online options and presence.
- At about 43 minutes we move to talk a bit about podcasting.
This episode will be presented on both Jason’s Design Cast podcast where he incorporates video and shares on YouTube and of course, here on our audio only version. Once he publishes his version, we will post a direct link here.
Check out DesignCast next time you are looking to add listening options. Even if you aren’t a design teacher, design thinking is an important part of many classes (and, our lives) so I think you will find it useful.
You can watch the YouTube version of this podcast on Jason's Design Cast channel.
Link to the Design Cast website
Jason's Twitter handle is @diskon4no
Link to the IB Matters website
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Asnaha Farheen in Bangladesh. She is an experienced PYP coordinator now guiding a new PYP candidate school through authorization.
We had intended to talk when her visit was completed to see how it went. However, we recorded this podcast during the shut down of schools world-wide in the wake of the COVID-19 virus and as a result her journey to become an authorized IB World School has taken a turn. She is now preparing for a virtual authorization visit - something that is entirely new and only used in this unusual circumstance. Most of this episode is devoted to Asnaha’s description of her preparation for the now virtual visit. If your school is awaiting an authorization or verification visit, you may learn from her work.
Here is the link to the IB Guidance Document for Virtual visits.
Here is the link to the IB Matters Website
In this episode we speak with Adrian von Wrede-Jervis. He is an experienced coordinator in an IB continuum school and he has done quite a lot of writing and sharing of his research regarding education in general, and IB education specifically.
We reached out to him recently to have him speak to us about making conceptual teaching more relevant as students progress through the programs from early years all the way through the senior programs of the DP and CP.
At 36 minutes we talk about distance and online teaching in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. A key take home message for Adrian is to treat this an opportunity to give students agency in their learning. Why stick to lesson times when this is the prime opportunity to develop skills like self management and collaboration? Allow for curiosity not just busyness. Allow for deadends and fails. Allow for well-being. Turn the role of the teacher to coach not task master. Connect for connection (learning is the by product of connected engagement).
"Fundamentally we need to understand how we learn. Learning is NOT knowledge transfer it is emotional engagement."
Find him on -
Twitter @AdrianvWJ
Linked in www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-von-wrede-jervis-6127531a/ His blog: www.repurposedlearning.com/
Some his favorite references from the podcast:
- Rethinking Concept-based learning…
- Part B
- ATL skills progression (that some skills are discipline specific only some are transfer skills) https://www.repurposedlearning.com/post/is-skills-teaching-a-thing-repurposing-the-skills-agenda
- Review, Reflect, Respond as a collaborative practice with students (for Engagement in Assessment) https://www.repurposedlearning.com/post/3rs-and-an-e-moving-to-assessment-as-learning
- Model to promote Purpose in Education. Are we teaching for Activism or compliance https://www.repurposedlearning.com/post/activism-or-compliance-repurposing-our-curriculum
- Julie Stern's book "Tools for Teaching Conceptual Understanding, Secondary: Designing Lessons and Assessments for Deep Learning"
- IB Podcast https://share.transistor.fm/s/9f88ed85 on concept based learning
- Follow Trevor Aleo on Twitter @MrAleoSays
We talk with Toddle Co-founder, Deepanshu Arora and colleague Chris Overhoff about the PYP support platform and how they are adapting to online learning in this time of the COVID-19 outbreak. They describe the many ways Toddle supports PYP teachers as they transition to online learning. We also talk briefly about the recent Toddle Planathon where over 450 unit plans were submitted in a global collaboration among PYP teachers.
We will add the link to the Toddle Talk webinar taking place on March 28, 2020 here.
Links to learn more about Toddle:
- To know more about how Toddle facilitates online learning in the PYP, visit https://www.toddleapp.com/remote-learning/
- Toddle’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/toddle.edu
- Toddle’s Twitter Handle - https://twitter.com/toddle_edu
IB Matters Website link
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Julie Stern and two members of her training team, Trevor Aleo and Kayla Duncan. They recently published an Online Learning Template for teaching online that ensures teachers consider a conceptual framework when using distance learning. They walk you through the template and also share many great ways to think about effective teaching and learning as we experiment with new ways to teach in the coming weeks during the COVID-19 Virus outbreak.
Links from the podcast (Be sure to check out the blog!)
- Template: https://bit.ly/OnlineTransferTemplate
- Socials: Twitter: @JulieHStern @MrsKaylaDuncan @MrAleosays
- Blog(s) www.edtosavetheworld.com
Books and other resources
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Harris-Stern/e/B01LY6EODF/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Corwin:
https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/author/julie-harris-stern
Our Podcast website link
As we record this episode, thousand’s of schools around the world are closed and teachers and school leaders are scrambling to create the means to teach students of all ages in remote settings.
In this episode we talk to Sara VanDerWerf, a national leader in math education and a former IB teacher, about how to use modeling to prepare students for learning from videos - a common platform being used by teachers when creating E-learning opportunities.
Her suggestions were posted in her popular math teaching blog and we reached out to her to make them available in the podcast.
Links from the podcast and Sara's work:
- Sara's website: saravanderwerf.com
- Twitter: @saravdwerf
- Facebook: @saravanderwerf
- Instagram: @saravanderwerf
- Blog post:* Modeling E-Learning (distance learning in the era of COVID-19)**
- Blog post: Modeling Group Work: 100 Number Task
- Responsive Classroom - Interactive Modeling
- Teaching Math Concepts vs Tricks - Free Math Download Book & articles
- Teacher Desmos (the best online math content for teachers - free). You can learn a lot about this resource HERE.
- FREE Math Support K-8 at Dreambox and ST Math
* The blog post that inspired this episode
The IB Matters podcast website
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
Why would a Head of School want to add IB? We hear from a new high school principal, with IB experience, describe the advantages he sees in leading an IB school.
We were recently at Rockford High School to help them record a podcast for their local community about becoming an IB school and I had a chance to meet their new principal, Paul Menard.
Administration changes are inevitable at any school and IB Candidate schools are no exception. When Rockford HS found themselves in need of a new principal mid-authorization, they were lucky to land one with prior experience with the IB authorization process. Paul Menard has previously guided another Minnesota school to authorization and is now helping Rockford with this process.
As we recorded this interview for a local audience, we realized his comments could be used by a wider audience (ours) looking for a concise explanation of the IB educational philosophy and a principal’s perspective on leading a school using the IB Programmes. He makes a compelling case for using IB as the core framework for everything happening in the school.
The interviewer is the Rockford IB coordinator, Dr. Matthew Scheidler who regular listeners will recognize from several other podcasts in this series.
The link to becoming an IB school is at the IB website IBO.org.
Now that we have a large number of IB Matters episodes covering a range of topics, we have created a webpage for this podcast which is organized by programme and by topic. So, you can find episodes featuring IB related stories without scrolling through our whole list which is now over 40 episodes.
The link to the IB Matters website
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Jenny Magdal about maintaining students’ wellness as they try to balance the IB Programme, extra-curriculars and their active social lives. Jenny has led several workshops in her own school and district and for the MNIB on this topic and we think you’ll find her ideas applicable not only to Diploma students but to younger children and even staff who face increasingly busy and sometimes distracted lives in a technology infused world.
Link to the IB Matters website where episodes are arranged by Programme and topic.
Link to IBO.org to learn more about all the IB Programmes
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we speak with Trevor Aleo whose recent post was featured in the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Blog.
After reading his post called, “Reading the World: The Case for Multimodal Literacy” we reached out to see if he would speak to us so more of you could hear about this intriguing trend in literacy teaching. Trevor also does work in support of another well known educator in IB circles, Julie Stern. You’ll hear many refences to her work that we have featured in other podcasts.
As Trevor says in his post: "Much the same way that understanding history and psychology can enrich our ability to identify themes and analyze characters, borrowing concepts from fields like semiotics can help us more effectively teach content already present in our curriculum."
Link to Trevor's post in the NCTE Blog
Follow Trevor on Twitter @MrAleoSays
Link to the IB Matters Podcast web page
This episode of IB Matters was originally recorded at Rockford High School for the benefit of the Rockford Schools community. We edited this version to serve as a more universal example of how families see the role of IB as part of a comprehensive education which still dovetails with traditional expectations of parents and students for the entire high school experience.
If you have listened to previous episodes from Rockford, you will remember that Rockford High School, located about 30 miles west of Minneapolis, is a candidate school for three IB Programmes: the MYP, DP, and the CP.
In this podcast, we hear from veteran IB parent, Krisanthy Sikkila and her daughter Anastsia about what IB added to the high school experience and how IB prepared Anastasia (and her sister) for university.
The host is Maris Ehlers; a parent with two students in Rockford schools.
IB has many resources for parents looking to research the benefits of IB for their children on the IB website at IBO.org.
Now that we have a large number of IB Matters episodes covering a range of topics, we have created a webpage for this podcast which is organized by programme and by topic. So, you can find episodes featuring IB related topics without scrolling through our whole list which is now approaching 40 episodes.
Link to the IB Matters Website
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we return to speak with Humera Riyaz of Eastern Public School in Bohpal, India. Humera was a guest in our 12th episode several months ago and we are bringing her back to share the highlights of her recent article in IB World Magazine on Design Thinking in the PYP. You’ll get some practical ideas from her and you can learn more by checking out the article itself which is linked here.
We have created a webpage for this podcast which is organized by programme and by topic. So, you can find episodes featuring IB related topics without scrolling through our whole list which is now approaching 40 episodes. The link to the website is here.
This is the fourth in the “Becoming an IB School” series.
We were at Rockford High School to record another set of parent questions with Rockford parent, Maris Ehlers, and Dr. Matthew Scheidler - the IB coordinator. But we were also able to capture an interview with one of Rockford’s experienced teachers who is just beginning his own IB journey. Ben Pennings, formerly a Middle school History teacher has been tasked with moving to the High school along with the freshman class at Rockford. Together, he and his students are getting to know MYP as they practice implementation ahead of their authorization visit in about a year. I was impressed by his observations as a new-to-IB teacher. He speaks eloquently about the philosophy of IB and some of his early impressions of the assessment schemes.
Rockford is also applying to become a Diploma school. Mr Pennings will be teaching TOK for the first time with the cohort he is now teaching in 9th grade. In preparation, Rockford has created a “Theory of Logic” class as a precursor so staff can practice the TOK elements. Ben shares his enthusiasm for this as well.
The parent questions revolve around the student load in the DP, college credit, and some of the transition questions parents have about already popular options at Rockford such as AP and College in the Schools (referred to as CIS throughout the podcast).
We have created a webpage for this podcast with all our episodes organized by programme and topic. IB Matters website
Follow us on Twitter @MattersIB.
Learn more about becoming an IB school: Become an IB World School
In this episode, we talk to Peter Muir of Melbourne, Australia. Peter is currently an MYP coordinator but he also has extensive experience with CAS - that’s Creativity, Activity, Service - a key component of the Diploma Programme core.
We focus on the role of CAS in developing the Diploma student’s awareness of themselves beyond their academic capabilities and more on developing those characteristics which will make them lifelong contributors to a better and more peaceful world. Even if you don’t work with the Diploma Programme you will hear the key role CAS plays in the final development of IB students.
By the way, we have created a webpage for this podcast which organizes all of our 35 episodes by topic and by programme so they can be more easily located. please use the link in the podcast notes to find the website.
Peter referenced a textbook he had a part in developing. Here is a link to that book from Cambridge Press.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
This is a sponsored episode with Toddle, a new PYP-focused platform that provides resources and a place for PYP teachers to collaborate.
We speak with Deepanshu Arora - one of the co-founders of Toddle who tells us about the many ways Toddle supports teachers and students in the PYP Programme.
Toddle just launched in early 2019 but is already becoming a leader as a PYP resource option and is finding a lot of “love” across the world. As an example, They are holding the first ever global PYP Planathon in early 2020 where teachers will have the chance to share their favorite PYP units in 54 different categories. These will be vetted, evaluated, and shared. Teachers will even win prizes for their submissions. Deepanshu tells listeners how to submit their work to be part of this global archive of best practices.
Please join us in supporting Toddle as they help us to promote IB education through our podcast.
You can learn more about Toddle at Toddleapp.com or go right to the Planathon page at https://www.toddleapp.com/planathon/.
If you are interested in joining Toddle as an IB Matters podcast sponsor, contact us at IBmatters@mnibschools.org.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
This episode is another example of the global reach of the IB. Here, we talk to Loredana Giovanelli of the Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA), a continuum school which includes the MYP and the DP. It is one of the oldest IB World Schools in the Asia/Pacific region.
Our discussion focused on the Service as Action (sometimes referred to as SA) component of MYP. Loredana has some great ideas that she has put into practice at her school and she shares many practical ways that her students and staff engage in Service as Action during the middle years. She has some impressive collaborations - both within her school, and with other schools across the globe. Her band of SA assistants - students who actually lead the development of Service opportunities in the school may serve as a model for many of you listening to this podcast. Please check out the link to her website below where you will find several resources she has created.
Her Twitter handle is @giovanelliLor
Loredana is very active on Twitter and often shares stories and information about SA activities and projects.
Website Link: ServiceasAction.org
Her website has lots of SA examples and you can get a look at her SA assistants who lead much of the work in her school.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
In this episode, we talk to Asnaha Farheen in Bangladesh. Asnaha is the Head of Primary and the PYP Coordinator at Abdul Kadir Molla International School - a PYP candidate school in Narsingdi, about 50 km outside the capital city of Dhaka.
We talk about the process of training the entire staff in the common practices found in all PYP schools across the globe. We think you'll be impressed by the similarities no matter where the PYP school is located and the nature of the local educational traditions. No matter the continent, you will recognize the processes that Asnaha describes in this interview.
Her passion for her work and the clearly evident love for her school - both the children and the staff - is very engaging. We think you will enjoy hearing from Asnaha as her words capture the essence of being a PYP school leader.
The PYP
How to become an IB World School.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
This sponsored episode serves as the launch of a new partnership between MNIB and Kognity; an excellent online platform for teaching and learning that provides real-time resources for IB students and teachers.
Kognity is an award-winning digital publisher that combines the power of technology and textbooks to create a vastly elevated learning experience.
We speak with Karin Bjerde, the head of strategic growth for Kognity, who tells us about the many ways Kognity supports teachers and students in the IB Programme.
Kognity already serves over 200K students and 16K teachers with intelligent online texts in more than 100 countries.
Please join us in supporting Kognity as they help us to promote IB education through our podcast.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
In this episode of IB Matters we return to speak with author and conceptual teaching and learning workshop leader, Julie Stern. Julie was featured in an earlier podcast focused on conceptual teaching and learning. In this episode we turn our attention to assessment and Julie helps us see how we can use assessment of conceptual learning in our classrooms at all grades and in all subjects.
You can learn much more about Julie's work by checking out her website and her YouTube Channel using links below.
The Website
The YouTube Channel
Also we want to call your attention to the new official IB Podcast called #IB Voices. It looks like it's going to be a monthly podcast and I really enjoyed the first two episodes that dropped in late September. They have great podcast notes which summarize the episodes and direct you to more information in a typically, excellent, IB way.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
This is the third in an ongoing series of episodes featuring a local Minnesota school (Rockford High School) as it goes through the IB authorization process to become an IB World School. They are currently a candidate for MYP, DP, and the CP.
This episode is actually a question/answer session recorded as a podcast for the local parent Facebook group. We weren't intending to make it an IB Matters episode but the conversation was so compelling and the content so universal, it is now included here.
The questions that Maris asks come from their Facebook group but also from individual conversations held among parents wondering how IB was going to change their school and their children's experiences. They ask about grading, getting into colleges, the difference between IB and other college readiness options, and community service. The answers given by the IB coordinator (Dr. Scheidler) demonstrate his understanding of the multi-faceted IB Programmes he now works with and the various ways IB impacts his school community.
Credit should be given to everyone in Rockford for their openness and engagement in this process. Becoming an IB World school is a challenging journey but it is definitely well worth the effort. Please enjoy this podcast and continue to tune in for more episodes about this process.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
Links:
IB Organization
Becoming an IB School
Chantell Wyten is one of the most experienced Career-related Program educators in the entire IB network. She started implementing the CP at a high school during the trial period before it was even an official part of the IB. She now works for the IB in their global office in The Hague, as a senior curriculum manager for the CP.
It is particularly gratifying for her, and for us, to see how the CP has become the fastest growing part of the IB and how it is transforming schools and the lives of students. The Career-related Programme provides a very customizable form of IB education and looks different in almost every school as local communities bring their own strengths to the Programme.
Chantell describes how the Programme works, why the CP core is critical to the philosophy of the Programme, and how schools across the globe implement the career-related aspects differently.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
Links:
More about the Career-related Programme (CP)
More about all the IB Programmes
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
Sometimes one good idea acts as a magnet for other good ideas. Such is the story told in this episode of IB Matters. We talk to Irena and Howard Burton who have taken an unconventional path to their work with the IB Diploma Programme.
They do not come to the IB as former Diploma Programme teachers or school leaders.
As filmmakers and academics from the areas of law and theoretical physics, they have been gathering video of leading thinkers and practitioners in a broad array of fields for many years. Eventually, their vast store of video resources led them to begin looking for a younger audience who might find this information useful.
What they found, after looking at many high school programs of study across the world, was the IB. And, in particular, they were drawn to the Theory of Knowledge course.
In this episode, we hear how the TOK course drew the Burtons to the IB and led them to create video and print resources for 21 different IB subjects and for the core of the Diploma Programme. They have taken interviews with world-wide experts in many fields and distilled them into curated, understandable, and print-supported resources for IBDP students.
Link to the Ideas Roadshow IBDP portal
Link to the IB Diploma Programme
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
ManageBac, a very IB-oriented vendor, has partnered with IB Matters to produce an exclusively ManageBac centered episode, making this the first sponsored episode in our brief history as a podcast.
You may have a heard us talk to Kari Davidson briefly at the IB Global Conference in our IB vendors podcast (episode 20).
Here, Kari has the chance to expand on that discussion and tell us more about the recent changes in the ManageBac interface and the enhancements for the coming school year.
ManageBac already serves the majority of IB schools around the world, so you may already be familiar with their products. But, we think you’ll find some exciting new features - especially for those of you in PYP and CP schools. Please join us in supporting ManageBac as they help us to promote IB education through our podcast.
You can learn more about ManageBac at ManageBac.com
If you are interested in joining ManageBac as an IB Matters podcast sponsor, contact us at IBmatters@mnibschools.org.
Although this is sponsored content, we are not seeking to profit from this podcast. In fact, any sponsorships we receive will support podcasting in local IB schools by helping them buy equipment to host their own programs.Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
This is the second episode of a special series of podcasts which will take you through the IB school authorization process.
We have a nearby district working to add multiple IB programmes to their high school. Rockford High School, located about 40 miles west of Minneapolis is a medium sized rural school adding the MYP, DP, and the Career-related programmes all at once to their 9-12 building.
Over a series of podcasts - taking about two years - we will talk to Rockford stakeholders about the decisions leading to this implementation, the process, and the requirements they must meet to become part of the IB World School community.
In this episode, IB coordinator Matthew Scheidler talks about the local and global IB support community he has found which includes IB consultants and other IB experts helping Rockford meet the various requirements along the way. Matthew describes the action plan his team has developed to tackle all the combined requirements of starting three IB programmes at once. He also shares his take-aways from attending his first IB Global Conference in New Orleans this summer.
Please follow along as we take this journey with the RHS staff and community.
Links to the requirements, the timeline, and the costs involved are found below.
Links:
Becoming an IB School
How to become an IB School
Authorization milestones including a downloadable pdf of the timeline
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Asheesh Misra and Tim Kane about their work helping Diploma Program teachers build their DP courses in such a way as to give all their students the best chance to succeed. In other words, they show teachers and coordinators how to significantly improve Diploma scores.
They are both experienced IB teachers with a long track record of doing just that and Asheesh worked for the IB Organization as the former directer of their Access, Equity and Excellence project. Tim was a consultant on that project.
For both Asheesh and Tim this is an Equity issue. In their research, under represented students often don’t choose Diploma courses because they think they aren’t prepared, that they won’t succeed, or that the courses will leave them with no personal life. Asheesh and Tim have developed a set of strategies that improve success for all students in the DP courses. As a result they began an organization called IB School Improvement.com so they can share their expertise with others.
Listen as they share their process and show IB Diploma teachers how to build streamlined courses that are focused on the aims of each course while leaving out the often uneccesary portions which cause both the students and the teachers to lose their way on the path to better scores and overall success in the Program.
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
Links:
IBSchoolImprovement.com
IB Organization
IB Research
Results of the "Chicago Study" referenced in the podcast
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Jonathan Bradley and Phil Evans who both serve the IB as development managers in the US. We caught up with them outside the conference rooms at the IB Global Conference in New Orleans.
Jonathon and Phil talk about the role of the development managers and they express the philosophy of the IB as they describe their work.
We think you’ll hear the passion they share for the work of building educational systems. Systems which will pay dividends when students become future citizens and leaders who can think critically and know how to learn in a future we cannot predict.
You can learn more about IB development and how to become an IB school using the links below.
IBO.org
Becoming an IB School
Please find all our episodes by visiting the new IB Matters webpage. We have all the episodes arranged by topic and/or Programme.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Trevor Bergman of We Help Two.
A central component of IB education is turning learning into action at all levels - pre-K to 12th grade. There are various ways schools do this and We Help Two is an organization we have worked with in Minnesota. We took a few minutes at the IB Global Conference to talk to Trevor about his work.
As Trevor explains, they work with schools (many of them - IB schools) to support service learning and student projects centered around taking action - a key part of the IB continuum of helping to build a better and more peaceful world.
You can learn much more about We Help Two and other aspects of IB Action and service using the link below as well as on the IB website at IBO.org.
We Help Two
In this special episode of IB Matters we talk to vendors at the 2019 IB Global conference in New Orleans.
Each vendor briefly describes their products or services and gives you an idea of what expect when you visit their booth. Each vendor is also a good friend to IB educators and brings a set of experts to this conference willing and able to answer questions and help you better serve your students. Please visit these and other vendors at the conference - their participation sustains this gathering and your engagement will keep them coming back.
0:00 Introduction
1:25 Kognity
4:15 Hodder Education
8:15 Toddle
11:15 IB ARMS
13:30 Sanford Harmony
17:15 ManageBac
20:30 Achieve 3000
In this special episode, we interview presenters at the 2019 Global Conference in New Orleans. We will also hear from vendors in Episode 20 (coming Thursday evening) who will preview the products they feature in their booths.
We launched this episode with just three presenters but we are adding them every day - with nine sessions now included. We will update the audio with each new interview so come back (re-download the episode) to hear from new presenters. The table of contents below will give you a way to skip straight the segments you want to hear.
In each segment the presenter will give the name of the session, the location and time of their session and a brief overview of what you can expect and what you might take-away from their presentation.
0:00 Introduction
1:25 Restorative Justice in the IB Framework with Angela Wilcox (7/19)
6:05 Strengthening the Trans-disciplinarity of your POI with Chad Hyatt (7/19)
13:00 Student Agency in Mathematics with Veronica Mathison (7/21)
17:35 Songwriting as Action and as Reflection (PYP) with Dottie Price (7/21)
23:35 Creating an IB Campus using the MYP Partnership Model with Chris Downs (7/19)
29:10 Implementing an IB scoring system in the Design Curriculum with Jeremy Reichel (7/20)
32:20 Kognity presentation preview (7/19 and 7/20)
36:05 Toddle presentation preview (7/19)
39:10 ManageBac presentation preview (719 and 7/20)
More to come - check back for updates as we add more segments.
IBNOLA2019
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Matthew Scheidler, a newly designated IB coordinator and a principal on special assignment about the process of becoming an IB school.
We have the good fortune of having a nearby school about to become a multi-programme IB school. Rockford High School located about 30 miles west of Minneapolis is a medium sized rural school adding the MYP, DP, and the Career-related programmes all at once to their 9-12 building.
Over a series of podcasts - taking about two years - we will talk to Rockford stakeholders about the decisions leading to this implementation, the process, and the requirements they must meet to become part of the IB World School Community.
Please follow along as we take this journey with the RHS staff and community.
Links to the requirements, the timeline, and the costs involved are found in the program notes for this podcast and other episodes in this series.
Links:
Becoming an IB School
How to become an IB School
Authorization milestones including a downloadable pdf of the timeline
Many of our listeners are teaching in schools across the globe. In this episode, Jon Eversoll talks about teaching in four different schools in four different countries outside the US. His experiences include government schools, international schools and two IB schools. He shares how the adventures varied with and without children and how it has been an invaluable experience for his family. He also compares teaching in smaller international schools with large US public schools.
If you have taught overseas, or are thinking about it, we think you will enjoy hearing about one person's personal perspective.
Assessment in the Diploma Programme is a combination of multiple measures of a student's progress and capabilities over the entire course of study. Most courses include a final examination but many do not. All have some form of internal assessment conducted during the course. These internal assessments may be laboratory investigations, research projects, or text analyses. Many courses have oral commentaries conducted, recorded and uploaded by the IB teacher. With all these different means to assess Diploma Programme students, a single number score represents much more than just how well they can perform on a written exam.
Mike Cassidy, a Diploma Programme coordinator, Film and TOK teacher, and a Film examiner, helps us better understand the multi-modal DP assessment system.
Links to Diploma Programme assessment and exam information.
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
The MYP Personal Project is the capstone experience for MYP students who have completed the final year of the programme in 10th grade.
Jon Eversoll, an experienced MYP coordinator and IB Educator, takes us through the requirements of the Personal Project while also explaining the process each student must complete individually. He shares several examples of memorable projects so listeners will get some idea of the variety and personal nature of this culminating MYP experience. Students whose MYP school ends before 10th grade complete the Community project which is the subject of another IB Matters podcast.
You can learn more about the MYP and the Personal Project here.
With Diploma Programme examinations wrapped up in the northern hemisphere, we thought this would be a good time to talk to an examiner to hear how the process works.
Mike Cassidy, an HL Film teacher and IB Film examiner, shares a behind the scenes look at how examinations are scored by a team of expert teachers across the globe. He talks about the vetting process to become an examiner and the ways in which being an examiner help him to be a better IB teacher. Mike also talks about how examiners are kept to the same rigorous standards through a system of "seeding" sample exams that ensures every examiner assesses papers fairly no matter where they are located.
We think you will find it fascinating to learn about the multi-tiered system of quality control that lies at the heart of IB exam scoring. Mike also makes the case for becoming an IB examiner - the IB is always looking looking for more teachers to join this important cadre of experts.
Find out more about becoming an examiner at: www.ibo.org/examiner
This episode, hosted by Kurt Carlson, features noted author and workshop leader, Julie Stern speaking with us about her work in conceptual teaching and learning. Julie is a keynote speaker for our 2019 MNIB Summer Conference at Bethel University. Registration can be found at our website.
Their conversation, recorded over Skype, is filled with examples of students using concepts to transfer learning across subjects. Once students have an understanding of the big concepts, operating behind the facts, it is almost like the movie, "The Matrix". They see connections everywhere they look and easily begin creating their own knowledge from those connections. It is pretty impressive to hear about 3rd graders who find ways to connect culture and economics on their own.
Julie Stern has many ways to share her work - check out these links:
- Books
- Free resources
- YouTube
In this episode, hosted by Angela Wilcox, we hear from two 9th grade students who describe their MYP Community Project. As Angela tells listeners, the Community Project is the culminating activity for students in MYP schools that do not include the 10th grade - in this case Hopkins North Junior High - a 7th through 9th grade school.
The students featured are:
Haiti Romero-Ruiz and Lily Sojos
As the students said:
"It’s not just about doing a project, it’s about making a difference in the world!"
For the podcast we extracted the student voices from a YouTube video they produced.
See the girls talk about their project here: Community Project Video
In this episode of IB Matters we talk to Leon Wang of Firebird Design Lab about his work helping students through the design process. He has been a favorite trainer for our teachers here in Minnesota for his thoughtful and effective devopment of a design mindset in both teachers and students in our local IB schools. We thought our listeners would especially appreciate the way he combines his passion for taking action through activism with his work in design.
Website:
firebirddesignlab.com
Humera Riyaz, a PYP coordinator at Eastern Public School in Bhopal India, (and one of our early listeners) spoke to us by Skype about her work.
We focused on the role of inquiry in IB education and on teaching and learning through inquiry in the PYP. Humera is an experienced PYP educator and she talks about how she guides her teaching staff through training to be inquirers themselves even as they guide their own students. Her passion for the work is clear as she enthusiastically recounts many of the strategies used by PYP teachers and students in her school.
Her school website is https://www.e-p-s.in/
You can find out more about the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) here.
In this episode, we talk to Kurt Carlson, a trainer in the IB Educator Network - known as IBEN.
We will hear how the IB uses a cadre of current teachers (who take part in continuous professional development) as trainers for the entire network of IB teachers in schools across the globe. It is their work as IB Educators that ensures the IB principles and practices are in place in every IB school. IBEN members play different roles in the organization: subject area trainers, site visitors, school consultants, among others.
Kurt lays out the benefits of becoming an IBEN member both for the teacher and their home school communities. Listen to see how you might become a part of this important work helping train the next generation of IB teachers and leaders.
More information about the IB Educator Network (the link Kurt mentioned in the podcast) is available here. You can also learn more about the IB Organization here.
In this episode, Kurt Carlson (MNIB President and IBEN trainer) takes us through the framework of assessment used in the Middle Years Programme to guide teaching and learning. He draws from his experience as a Science and a Design teacher to provide examples and to help us understand the MYP assessment strategies.
If you are a parent or a teacher, this podcast will help you answer the question - How is teaching and learning going to be different in an MYP setting? Using criterion-related assessments tied to benchmarks is far better than simply assigning points and percentages with no correlation to objectives or learning targets. Students, teachers, and parents all know better each students strengths and areas for improvement when assessed in this way.
Learn more about the MYP at IBO.org or in this parent pack brochure.
In this episode we tackle the newest IB Programme, the Career-related Programme known as the CP. Chris Baker Raivo from Champlin Park High School describes the CP, detailing the overall framework and focusing on the core aspects of the programme.
He also talks about how the CP is different from the more established IB Diploma Programme and how it serves students in a different but complementary way. You’ll hear that the CP is a better fit for some students looking to better understand their post-high school options.
The CP can also be a better fit for smaller high schools that might have difficulty offering the entire slate of IB Diploma Programme courses. The CP takes advantage of the individual strengths of each community utilizing the flexibility of the programme to fit the needs of their students.
More information about the CP is available on the IBO.org website.
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this Episode we talk to Max Athorn, Diploma Programme coordinator at Thomas Edison High School in Minneapolis.
Max explains the nuts and bolts of how the IB Diploma Programme works including the six subject areas and the core of the DP: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE).
Max also talks about how the role of Diploma Programme coordinator is a multi-faceted, multi-layered role. DP coordinators are at the center of many aspects of the culture of their school. In this capacity, the DP coordinator must navigate a course ensuring all students are welcome and encouraged to take on academic and personal challenges.
More information about the IB Diploma Programme can be found on the IB website.
Explore Cambridge University Press support for IBDP teachers and learners at http://ibdiploma.cambridge.org/
US Listeners of the IB Matters podcast can take 25% off their next order of IBDP materials from Cambridge University Press by emailing US_specialists@cambridge.org and quoting the discount code POD25.
In this episode Kirsten McPherson talks about the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Kirsten is the PYP coordinator at Matoska International School, a public school in the White Bear Lake school district near St. Paul, MN. Kirsten explains how the learning for PYP students is conceptual and contextual with examples of how students and teachers approach teaching and learning in her PYP school. We hear how local standards are brought to life when teachers break down the pre-written curriculum and help young students see the connections between traditional subjects in a trans-disciplinary way.
More information about the PYP can be found on the IB website or on our MNIB website.
Nine students from Champlin Park High School in Champlin, Minnesota describe how the Diploma Programme helped them to be prepared for University. Each talks about their readiness for the challenges of college and how they were often better prepared than their university classmates.
Thanks to Chris Baker-Raivo (IB Career-related Programme Coordinator) for creating the video on which this podcast is based. The video of this episode can be found on our MNIB website at: www.mnibschools.org or directly on Vimeo at this link
The students in order of appearance:
Andrew Dolge - University of St. Thomas
Sam King - North Carolina Technical and Agricultural State College
Brikken Jensen - St. Cloud State University
David Barton - University of Minnesota
Sarah Reuter - University of Minnesota - Duluth
Erin Harvey - Hamline University
Alec Weiker - Drake University
Nicholas Jackson - University of Minnesota
Nathan Crymble - University of Minnesota
Angela Wilcox, the MYP coordinator at Hopkins North Junior High (and MNIB board member) explains for parents and others what makes the IB Middle Years Programme such a good fit for adolescents in this important age group. The MYP is the bridge between the PYP and more well-known Diploma Programme.
Angela helps us understand how this bridge is built using concept-based teaching and learning. Students in the MYP make their own connections between subjects because they see how learning in each area is connected by the same key concepts.
More information about the MYP is available at: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/middle-years-programme/
Part of a series of interviews with IB practitioners, this episode features Martina Talic of St. John's Prep School in St. Joseph MN. This brief visit with Martina is just a taste of what she brings to enhance IB instruction all over the Americas. As a member of the IB Educator Network (IBEN) she is trained by IB to deliver official training to Language teachers across the globe. This interview was conducted over lunch while she was teaching a one-day Language B (IB's term for second languages) update to 24 teachers of 6 different languages.
Introducing a new podcast, IB Matters, which brings listeners content related to International Baccalaureate (IB) education. It is for students, parents, and teachers interested in learning more about IB and for those working in IB schools wanting to access pedagogical support for their teaching.
The podcast is hosted in Minnesota by the MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) but is intended for a global audience.