Reflective Activity 1

The main aims of an IB education:                                                                                                         The aim of the IB programme is to develop internationally minded people, who can recognise their common humanity and shared responsibility over the planet in order to help create a better and more peaceful future. This aim is achieved through the IB programme following 10 core values.

The 10 core values:

1. Inquirers: to be curious and enthusiastic in learning and who ask powerful questions.
2. Knowledgable: to be both exploring locally and globally to expand their ideas.
3. Thinkers: to think critically and creatively in order to make informed decisions.
4. Communicators: So that the children can be good listeners also be confident in more than one language.
5. Principled: having honest students who are responsible.
6. Open minded: having an appreciation for their own culture and having this same appreciation when it comes to other people’s cultures.
7. Caring: committed to helping others around them not just people they are closest to but the wider community.
8. Risk takers: willing to try something new and not just follow trends, go out on their own and see if they can make it work. Being more resourceful and resilient in whatever they do.
9. Balanced: being focused on their own wellbeing and the other people and things around them.
10. Reflective: thoughtful, realistic and hopeful for the future going out into the real world.

Aspects of the IB aims I have experienced when in School:                                                            From going out on placement in Scotland that follows under the Curriculum for Excellence I have seen similarities in the aims that both education systems have for the children. In Scotland they have started doing a lot more outdoor learning, this allows children to not only learn but see things in practice as well as being outside gives them these opportunities. This is similar as in the IB programme they only teach content that is worth knowing and the children doing this, not only learn, but can also see and experience first-hand what they have been taught.

Links with my own beliefs about education:                                                                                             I  believe that IB program is a great way for young people to learn in a more diverse environment. The core values which the IB curriculum is based on helps prepare young people not only for the Academical careers but also any future endeavours they may want to have in life. I believe the young people shouldn’t just have to learn through reading  the textbook and copying down information. The IB program supports this and shows that young people do not have to learn and just one particular way that their different effective ways in which learning can take place. It also helps children to be more educated on other cultures and know that having different beliefs is alright, it helps educate children on also how to appropriately share these beliefs. The CfE has the four capacities which shares very similar learning ideas to the 10 values that the IB program follows.