IB World magazine, January 2007
Who is it that really counts? The students
They are at the heart of IB education but what does this really mean? Over the next few pages IB programme heads, teachers and students identify what is meant by the student-centred approach in the classroom and why students should be an active part of the teaching plan.
The main articles are:
Student-centred: what it means
An IB teacher makes use of the knowledge and understanding that students bring with them to the classroom and aims to ignite a sense of wonder about learning and knowledge. Francis Beckett discovers how IB programmes produce lifelong learners through a student-centred approach.
Student-centred: teaching in practice
Staff and students at Sandburg Middle School in Minnesota, USA, have discovered that student-centred teaching must meet different pupils’ needs in order to produce confident, motivated lifelong learners, says MYP coordinator Lauren Hildebrand.
Student-centred: access for all
The Lamar Academy in Texas is a prime example of what can be achieved by looking at the needs of students, says Jeanette LaFevers, IB coordinator.
Profile: Simone Emmison - a brand new look
To achieve global recognition Simone Emmison, head of communications, decided it was time IB got a unified look. She tells Kath Stathers why it was important that you had your say.
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Also in this edition
Editor’s letter
This issue of IB World is rather a special one as it allows the students to have their say about our theme: being student-centred. On the central pages you will find comments from the young minds who are at the very centre of IB teaching and it certainly makes for some illuminating reading. To understand better what student-centred teaching means we spoke to the three IB programme heads as well as the head of programme development and gathered opinions and case studies from colleagues around the globe. What you will note in all the features is that the students are firmly at the centre of the different classroom activities: they are active participants and each is being led on his or her own voyage of discovery to become lifelong learners and inquirers. That is what sets IB teachers apart and it is why the students are all so motivated to learn.
Enjoy the debate!
Emma Mercer, editor
In our next issue
Tell us what you think about...
An ethical education
This hot topic is being widely debated within the IB because it is such a complex, yet important, subject. What exactly is the role of ethics in education? How do you encourage students to live by moral and ethical values? Is it possible to teach ethics in the international arena?
If you have a suggestion on how ethics should be addressed in education please write in and tell us.
Copy deadline: 12 February 2007
Send contributions to the editor at editor@ibo.org