EDUC 490 I (4 credits)

Introduction to the International Baccalaureate Program

Middle Years Program and Diploma Program
4 day Summer Institute and weekly seminars September to January
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides teacher candidates with an introduction to the principles of the International
Baccalaureate, specifically focusing on the Primary Years Programme (PYP), The Middle Years
Programme (MYP) and The Diploma Programme (DP). During this introductory course, teacher
candidates will have opportunities to learn about each program and elements they have in
common as well as the unique characteristics of each program.
Through program specific cohorts, teacher candidates will explore the fundamental concepts of
the PYP, MYP and the DP. Using an inquiry approach, candidates will develop an understanding of
the way in which each program approaches teaching, learning, assessment and skill development.
Building a community of learners is a priority as instructors and teacher candidates get to know
one another and understand how we/they learn best. Creating an essential agreement for
classroom participation and learning is key to engaging all teacher candidates and will set the
stage for regular weekly seminar meetings throughout the year.
Using the Learner Profile traits, participants will be encouraged to be risk-takers, thinkers,
communicators and reflective inquirers, to name a few, as they work towards developing and
refining newly emerging understandings. Opportunities for individual, partner and small group
work will be provided enabling teacher candidates to be active participants in their learning and to
co-construct meaning with their peers.
SUMMER INSTITUTE
DAY 1 PYP, MYP, DP all together
8:30 9:00

Light Breakfast (coffee, tea, and baked goods)

9:00-10:30

Welcome and Introductions

Getting to know IB: Setting the stage for learning

10:30 10:45

Break

10:45 - 12:00

An Orientation to the three programs: Interacting with the PYP, MYP

& DP
1

12:00 12:45

Lunch

12:45 1:45

A closer look: Deconstructing the IB mission statement and the

Learner Profile

1:45-2:15

The Amazing Race

2:15 2:30

Break

2:30-3:15

IB Guest Panel

3:15 3:30

Closure

DAY 2 MYP/DP
Service Learning Fresh Roots Urban Farm - both groups together
DAY 3 to DAY 4 and the WEEKLY SEMINAR
MYP and DP groups will separate for the most part. The following topics will be explored and
discussed throughout the rest of the summer institute and weekly seminars. Where appropriate
the two groups will come together to discuss topics of mutual interest.
Middle Years Program (MYP)

What is an IB education in the MYP

program?
International Mindedness/ International
education
Concept based learning (key and related
concepts)
Teaching and learning in context (Global
context)
Teaching and learning through inquiry
Assessment (including objectives,
criteria and command terms)
Service and Action
MYP Projects (Community and
Personal)
Approaches to learning (ATL) Skills
Aims and requirements of each subject
area
Collaborative Unit Planning
Interdisciplinary learning
Academic Honesty

Diploma Program (DP)

What is an IB education in the Diploma

Programme
IBDP in a Global Context
Concept-based learning
Teaching and learning through Inquiry
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Assessment for Learning
IBDP Core- Extended Essay
IBDP Core- Creative Action and Service
IBDP Core- ToK
Introduction to specific Subject Guides
Unit Planning
Differentiation and Personalisation
Academic Honesty

Assignments & Evaluation Criteria

1. Development of an IB Reflection Journal individual
Teacher candidates will document their learning and wonderings throughout this
introductory course. Criteria for this assignment will be co-created. It is expected that
students will provide evidence of their learning through personal reflections, readings,
discussion with peers and partner/small group activities.
Format may be digital or in hard copy. This reflection journal will also be used to document
personal growth throughout the year in weekly IB seminars and on practicum and
contribute to the capstone assignment in EDUC 452 in July-August.
2. Attendance and Participation - individual
Attend and actively participate in all classes barring extraordinary circumstances,
absences must be approved in advance by the instructor
3. Short inquiry into IB - with presentation- individual
Teacher candidates will choose a personal question about IB, investigate it and then present
their findings in small groups.
4. Unit plan - individual
Teacher candidates will create a unit plan (either MYP or DP) that will hopefully be used
during the long practicum.
5. Subject group - Task creation and standardization of assessment - group
Teacher candidates will work in subject groups to create a task, complete the task and
standardize the assessment of that task.

Required Reading
International Baccalaureate Organization (2014). Subject guides Retrieved from the IB Online
Curriculum Centre.
International Baccalaureate Organization (2013) What is an IB Education. Retrieved from the IB
Online Curriculum Centre.

International Baccalaureate Organization (2013) Standards and Practice. Retrieved from the IB
Online Curriculum Centre.
International Baccalaureate Organization (2014) Principles to Practice. Retrieved from the IB
Online Curriculum Centre.
Loewenstein, G. (1994) The psychology of curiosisty : A review and reinterpretation. Psychological
Bulletin, 11(1), 75-98
Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth (2006). Rethinking classroom assessment with
thinking in mind : Assessment for learning, Assessment as learning, Assessment of learning.
Retrieved from : http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/assess/wncp/
Skelton, M., Wigford, A., Harper, P., & Reeves, G. (2002). Beyond food, festivals, and flags.
Educational Leadership, 60(2), 52-55.
http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN
=7536605&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Suggested Reading
Barrell, J. (2006) Problem-based learning: An inquiry approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin
Press.
Barell, J. (2008). Why are all school buses always yellow? Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Barrell, J (2013) Did you ever wonder? Fostering curiosity here, there and everywhere. UK :
IBstore.
Colburn, A. (2000). An inquiry primer. Science Scope, 37, 4244. Retrieved from:
http://www.experientiallearning.ucdavis.edu/module2/el2-60-primer.pdf
Hirsch, M. (2010) Keep a question in. Educational Leadership, 62-64.
International Baccalaureate Organization (2012) Teaching the disciplines in the MYP:
Nurturing big ideas and deep understanding. Retrieved from the IB Online Curriculum
Centre.
Short, K.G., Schroeder, J., Laird, J., Kauffman, G., Ferguson, M.J., & Crawford, K.M. (1996).
Learning together through inquiry. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.
Stephenson, N, (N.D.) Introduction to inquiry-based learning. Retrieved from
http://www.teachinquiry.com/index/Introduction.html
Wolk, S. (2008). School as Inquiry. Phi Delta Kappan, 90(2), 115-122.
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