With unparalleled benefits, international
baccalaureate educational programs are gaining in popularity across the country.
By focusing curricula on a greater global cultural experience, children
involved in these programs are exposed to “bigger picture” education. How?
Let’s take a look.
According to the International
Baccalaureate (IB) organization, programs focused on IB “strive to
develop students who will build a better world through intercultural
understanding and respect.” By incorporating international studies within the
framework of daily curricula, IB schools teach children to consider larger
scale imperatives.
What Is
International Baccalaureate Education
The concept of IB programs lies
with a focus on global thinking across all platforms and processes. While it
certainly includes international language disciplines, IB studies root much
deeper into the curricula than one area of discipline.
“The aim of all IB programs is
to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity
and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more
peaceful world.” – IBO.org.
With stress on crossing cultural
borders through educational experience, IB programs create a unique, all-inclusive
curriculum for students. It works by encouraging students to develop critical
thinking skills that allow them to see issues on a global scale, rather than
simply processing closed, local elements.
How It Works
Since IB programs are a deeper concept
than simple course curriculum, they build a stronger understanding of
international issues. These programs are more in-depth than studying cultural
textbooks. They are a focus on meaningful cultural experiences and encourage
interaction on a level far beyond the classroom.
This learning begins with
language learning, as mentioned previously. The cornerstone of any IB program
is to first be able to communicate effectively with others globally. This is
done by teaching students in a bilingual
or multi-lingual manner. Since communication is critical to
accomplishing change on any level, it goes without saying that being able to
communicate with a larger global population would open doors to greater
changes.
Going Beyond
the Languages
It’s true that foreign language
learning is a crucial piece of all IB learning programs, but IB learning goes
well beyond language coursework. Integrated within the curricula, IB programs
must also include an interactive approach which encourages students to go
beyond the textbook. These elements of the IB program are what make them stand
out amongst traditional learning techniques.
By placing interactive
opportunities in front of students, the IB experience gets learners out of the
classroom and into situations which promote cognitive expansion. It is a means
of introducing students to a broader understanding of cultures and the
collective good by allowing them to develop early critical thinking skills.
“These elements challenge the student to critically consider power and privilege, and to recognize that he or she holds this planet and its resources in trust for future generations… (it is) a focus on moving beyond awareness and understanding to engagement, action and bringing about meaningful change.” – IBO.org.
The
International Difference
The difference between IB
learning and traditional educational experiences lies within the method of developing
independent thinking and actions. By immersing students in an international
mindset, the difference goes well beyond traditional standardized learning.
Rather than a strict focus on
textbook curricula, students are taught to think on a broader scale across all
coursework. In other words, they are taught to think (and act) beyond the book.
They also learn to think and act beyond localized cultures and issues as well,
which is a skill that will be critical for future development.
The Benefits
of IB Learning
International
Baccalaureate programs offer a wide range of benefits to students.
While some may be obvious – such as giving them a broader perspective on global
and cultural issues – there are many more benefits to consider as well.
With bilingualism and
multilingualism at the base of IB learning, students gain critical
communication skills that will serve them throughout their lives and careers.
By expanding their ability to communicate with other cultures, they are
increasing their opportunities to make a greater impact across the globe.
Improved communication skills
follow students into every aspect of life. In addition, the unique
multi-cultural experiences they learn in school will allow them to not only
pick up communication skills, but also critical thinking and learning skills in
general.
“Students are able to take responsibility for their own learning and understand how knowledge itself is constructed… They are encouraged to try different approaches to learning and to take responsibility for their own educational progress.” – IBO.org.
This independent teaching and
learning process gives students the means to apply their knowledge to real-life
scenarios with greater cognitive reasoning and approach. In essence, it
allows students to learn a better way to learn.
These crucial skills are assets
that students will carry with them well beyond graduation. It will play a role
in gaining them the best experiences with post-graduation training and
education. In fact, according to the IBO.org, students who have access to
International Baccalaureate programs during primary and secondary schooling
have greater access to the world’s most prestigious universities after
commencement.
University
Appeal
Overall, students who attend
facilities with IB programming tend to be highly attractive to top ranked
universities. Why? These students offer universities a great deal of skill and
development that is highly beneficial to higher education.
“IB students are more likely than their peers to complete their undergraduate degrees and pursue graduate work; and they are more likely to be engaged in various aspects of university life.” – IBO.org.
These students have such a
success rate due to the independent thinking and community concern and
involvement they picked up in their early years. Since IB programs encourage a
look at the bigger picture and drive students to become engaged in their
communities, these students are well-equipped for the academics and discipline needed
to succeed during university studies.
Some of the greatest skills
gained by IB students, according to IBO.org, include:
- Independent research and thinking
- Community involvement
- Multicultural understanding and concern
- Strong desire to engage and make a difference
around them
A Lifetime of
Learning
The scope of IB learning goes
well beyond the primary and secondary years. Perhaps the greatest benefit of
these programs is that they fully equip students for success throughout their
lives. By opening eyes to other cultures, expanding communication, and
encouraging independent thinking, IB learning is centered around instilling a
greater sense of purpose and responsibility globally within our children.