The Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) course currently offered was first taught in August 2010 and updated in 2016. ITGS is a part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
This innovative course lies within Group 3 which examines individuals and societies. The ITGS framework is modelled on a ‘triangle’. It uses an integrated approach, encouraging students to make informed judgements and decisions about the role of information and communication technologies in contemporary society.
Teachers are entrusted to use professional judgement in determining the best delivery of the ITGS course.
The ITGS triangle
Composed of three strands, with interrelating topics within each:
Key features of the curriculum and assessment models
- Two courses are offered, Standard Level (SL) that requires 150 hours of teaching time over two years, and Higher Level (HL) that requires 240 hours.
- The ITGS course is based on three interconnected strands; Social and ethical significance, Application to specified scenarios, IT systems.
- The ITGS triangle lies at the heart of the pedagogy. With an understanding of the information technologies, students must be able to evaluate social/ethical issues in specified scenarios.
- ITGS requires students to have strong research and higher order thinking skills.
- Teachers may choose any relevant contemporary article to illustrate scenarios. A vibrant wiki has been developed to help teachers share resources.
- Collaboration between schools, teachers and students is encouraged. Teachers need to keep abreast of emerging online tools, applications and hardware.
- A component (HL only) is linked to the annually issued case study. This requires students to investigate a new topic related to the subject in greater depth.
- ITGS requires students to develop a product that would be suitable for a client. The aim of this assessment is to support and prepare students for the workplace.
Learn more about ITGS in a DP workshop for teachers.
