Pre-conference Sessions

All pre-conference sessions take place on the 15 July 2010 and are optional full or half-day professional development opportunities for conference attendees. 

Please note that you must purchase a full conference registration in order to attend a

pre-conference session and you may only register for and attend one pre-conference session.  For fee and registration information, please click here.

Session Descriptions

Diagnosing Types of Learners and Teaching Strategies with Brain Research in Mind

JoAnn Deak, Educator and Psychologist, The DEAK Group, Hudson, Ohio

Significant steps in scanning techniques can image a brain while it is working, allowing us to make more informed and accurate recommendations for anyone involved in working with the owners of the human brain. Brain imaging also shows that female and male brains are wired quite differently. These differences lead to a variation in the way females and males approach almost everything: from learning to loving, from communicating to consoling. What seems to be needed is a way of combining the brain research with a way of looking at how an individual brain works, and then combining that with pedagogic techniques in the classroom that will fit most learners. This workshop explores processing and output differences in students and provides ideas to design teaching strategies around them with diverse learning styles in mind.

Working the Conceptual Level through the PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programmes

Lynn Erickson, Author and Educational Consultant, Mill Creek, Washington

Lynn Erickson expands our understanding of the conceptual level of knowledge, thinking, and understanding. In this highly interactive session, Dr. Erickson will challenge your mind as she contrasts a three-dimensional IB concept-based curriculum and instruction model with the worn out two-dimensional coverage model. You will see DVD clips of three-dimensional, concept-based teachers instructing students. You will learn specific instructional strategies that engage the hearts and minds of students. And you will learn answers to questions like these:

• How is knowledge structured and how does that relate to classroom instruction?
• What is a conceptual lens and how is it used to develop higher levels of thinking and increased motivation for learning?
• How can we design instruction to achieve synergistic thinking between the factual and conceptual levels of knowledge and understanding?
• Why do too many students lose motivation for learning the higher they go in the grade levels and how does decreased motivation relate to conceptual thinking?
• How do we “scaffold” thinking to deeper levels?
• How do we develop different kinds of questions to guide inquiry?
• What does concept-based instruction “look like” in the classroom?

You will learn how to increase conceptual depth and understanding for your students. You will discuss the importance of a conceptual lens, and learn how to identify important related concepts. You will practice writing clear and powerful ideas to guide inquiry. Finally, you will learn how to write performance tasks that assess what students know, understand, and are able to do. You will realize the power of the IB as an “idea-centered” curricula.

Guiding Instruction Through Assessment in the IB

Bertie Kingore, Consultant, Austin, Texas

This practical session demonstrates classroom assessment procedures and tools designed to promote achievement, document standards, substantiate progress, and provide information to guide instructional decisions. Teachers select from a repertoire of assessment strategies including students’ self-assessment, graphic organizers, simplified rubric development, and quick assessments when you only have a minute!

Programme Evaluation

Cynthia Ballheim, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, Upper Arlington High School, Upper Arlington, Ohio

David Ogden, Grant Coordinator, Seattle Public Schools, Seattle, Washington

Cecilia Villavicencio, Diploma Programme Associate Manager, International Baccalaureate, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Programme evaluation is a requirement for all IB World Schools.  This session will provide participants from Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programme schools with an overview of the IB programme evaluation process and its required documentation.  Individuals will gain a better understanding of the purpose of IB's programme evaluation and the process for completing the school's self-study, including the school visit for PYP and MYP schools. Excerpts from school self-studies will be used to help set expectations for what kinds of information will be most helpful for the school and for the peer reviewers.

THINKERING International Mindedness

Heather Lapper, MYP School Services Regional Manager, IB Africa, Europe, Middle East, Geneva, Switzerland,

Brent McDonough, IB Diploma Programme and Middle Years Programme Coordinator, Holy Trinity High School, Edmonton, Alberta

In this interactive environment, participants will discover how to incorporate international mindedness into any subject area in the PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme. Using current world events, modeling of learner centered instruction and critical thinking, participants will engage in thinkering which will serve to stimulate productive inquiry, learning, and new ideas related to international mindedness. Participants will reflect and elaborate on their ideas in ways they can share with others. Inspired, they will leave this session with practical ideas and resources to easily incorporate international mindedness into subjects and schools.

Recognition of the IB Diploma

Bob Poole, Regional Development Specialist, International Baccalaureate, Vancouver, British Columbia

Sandra Wade-Pauly, University and Government Liaison, International Baccalaureate, Vancouver, British Columbia

An update on current university and government recognition for the IB programmes. The
session will include recommendations and advice for gaining recognition with both legislators
and universities and will detail the support that the IB can provide to such initiatives. Examples of good policy and successful strategies will be shared and discussed. This session is primarily designed for Diploma Programme coordinators and administrators. Some of the government discussion will be appropriate for MYP and PYP coordinators, heads of schools, active members of associations of IB World Schools, legislators, university personnel, and parents.

Speakers

Cynthia Ballheim

Cynthia Ballheim is the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator at Upper Arlington High School in Ohio. Cynthia teaches TOK, coordinates CAS, leads programme evaluation and coordination workshops (categories 1, 2, & 3). She mentors Diploma Programme schools, leads authorization visits, is the OCC faculty member in Diploma Programme Coordination, and is currently the President of the Ohio Association of IB World Schools.

JoAnn Deak

JoAnn Deak, Ph.D., has spent more than twenty years as an educator and psychologist. She began her career as a teacher but soon learned the complexity of dealing with the many brain and motivational patterns represented by the diverse students in her classes. Dr Deak has been an advisor to Outward Bound, a past chair of the National Committee for Girls and Women in Independent Schools, on the advisory board of New Moon Magazine, the Seattle Girls’ School, Bromley Brook School, Lendl Montessori School, Power Play and Girls Can Do. She consults with organizations and schools across the United States. She has been awarded the 2003 Woman of Achievement Award by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools and was given the fi rst Female Educator of the Year Award 2002 by Orchard House School.

Lynn Erickson

Dr Lynn Erickson is a private consultant assisting schools and districts around the country with curriculum design and instruction. During the past thirteen years she has worked extensively with K-12 teachers and administrators nationally and internationally on the design of classroom and district level curricula aligned to academic standards. She is the author of three best-selling books and is a recognized presenter at national conferences in the areas of concept-based curriculum design, teaching for deep understanding, and standards alignment. Dr Erickson holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Alaska and a master's and doctorate degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and School Administration. She has worked as a teacher, principal, curriculum director, adjunct professor, and educational consultant over a 39 year career.

Bertie Kingore

Dr Bertie Kingore is an international consultant who has worked with students, teachers, and parents for over 30 years. Recognized for her humorous and practical presentations, her energetic sessions leave teachers revitalized and eager to implement her shared ideas and learning experiences in their own classrooms. Dr Kingore is the author of numerous books, instructional aides, and articles. She has received many honors including the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of North Texas, where she earned her Ph.D. She is a past President of the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented and was also recognized as the Texas Gifted Educator of the Year.

Heather Lapper

Heather Lapper is the MYP School Services Regional Manager for IB Africa, Europe, Middle East. Previously, she was the MYP Coordinator at Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria, British Columbia. She was also an online curriculum centre faculty member, workshop leader, authorization and evaluation site visitor and consultant for IB Americas.

Brent McDonough

Brent McDonough is the IB Diploma Programme and Middle Years Programme Coordinator at Holy Trinity High School in Edmonton, Alberta.  He is also a physics teacher in the Diploma Programme, and an IB Americas workshop leader, authorization and evaluation site visitor and consultant. He currently holds the position of Diploma Professional Development Chair for the Alberta Association of IB World Schools.

David Ogden

David Ogden is a grant coordinator for Seattle Public Schools.  For several years, he has facilitated the development and implementation of new programs in elementary, middle and high schools.  He leads IB programme evaluation workshops in IB Americas, mentors MYP schools, and volunteers as a authorization and evaluation site visitor. Il parle français aussi.

Bob Poole

Bob Poole works out of the IB Americas office in Vancouver, British Columbia as a Regional Development Specialist.  He has worked as a teacher for many years in the Vancouver School District.  His previous roles include teaching Biology and Theory of Knowledge as well as serving as the Diploma Programme Coordinator at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary in Vancouver. He has also served on a variety of IB committees.

Cecilia Villavicencio

Cecilia Villavicencio graduated from St Brigid’s School in Buenos Aires with an IB Diploma.  She has a degree in Literature from the University of Buenos Aires and she is presently studying Education Management at The Latin American School of Social Sciences (FLACSO).  She is the Diploma Programme Associate Manager for the Americas and is responsible for the evaluation process.

Sandra Wade-Pauly

Sandra Wade-Pauly graduated from UC Berkeley and the Monterey Institute of International Studies and attended the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has taught Political Science at San Francisco State University and served as the Diploma Programme Coordinator and College Counselor at the International School of Manila. She also served as Director of Studies at the United World College of Southeast Asia, where she organized the college’s first professional development program and their first teacher appraisal instrument. Ms Wade-Pauly is currently the University and Government Liaison for IB Americas and is based in Vancouver.