Professional Development Highlights
Introducing our new global workshop architecture
In January 2010, the new global architecture for workshops was launched. With distinctive goals and objectives in each of its three tiers, this architecture will help us align best practices in professional development across the three regions.
Explore the new architecture at www.ibo.org/events/news/index.cfm. If you have questions, please contact the global professional development team at: global.pd@ibo.org
Global quality assurance framework
Based on the goals and objectives of the new global architecture, the updated quality assurance framework was developed by the IB global professional development and research teams, with input from the regional professional development and programme staff, as well as external consultants.
The new framework will ensure that IB workshop attendees have the same high quality experience worldwide, whether the workshop is run by IB or IB workshop providers.
With evaluation instruments piloted in 2009, the new framework has been implemented as of January 2010. It will provide various methods for gathering data and checking processes to increase the validity and reliability of evaluation, including:
- surveys
- interviews
- focus groups
- evaluators
By analyzing this data, we’ll continue to enhance our professional development offerings and deliver timely feedback to workshop leaders.
IB Diploma Programme subject specific seminars
Subject specific seminars introduce curriculum changes to experienced teachers. The faculty will include master teachers and those involved in the curriculum review. Staff from IB’s curriculum and assessment centre will be on hand to answer questions.
For 2011, groups 1 and 2 and economics are the revised subjects, with teaching beginning in September 2011. Workshops will continue in 2010 with the current course since new subject guides will not be available before late 2010 and first exams do not occur until 2013.
Subject specific seminars for groups 1 and 2 will take place in early 2011. The latest summary of changes to the curriculum is detailed in the document Guidance for language provision in groups 1 and 2 which is posted on the occ.
PYP category 1 introductory workshops
In keeping with the latest PYP workshop handbook, IB Americas is now offering two different category 1 workshops for the PYP. Workshop 1A, an introduction to the IB standards for administrators new to the PYP, is intended for administrators and IB coordinators. Workshop 1B, an introduction to the PYP curriculum model, is geared for classroom teachers. As pedagogical leaders of their schools, however, administrators and coordinators are also encouraged to attend 1B in addition to 1A.
Category 3 workshops for all programmes
The Americas region has experienced increased interest over the past year in our category 3 workshops. Category 3 sessions provide a unique opportunity for in-depth, content-based professional development. For a complete listing of our category 3 workshops for January through June 2010, please visit our events page at: www.ibo.org/events/workshops.cfm
We encourage workshop leaders in each of the programmes to submit proposals for additional category 3 workshops. The proposal form can be found on our website at www.ibo.org/iba/workshops/categorythreeworkshops.cfm
Please submit your proposals directly to emily.ross@ibo.org.
Continued Collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City
Begun in 2007, the IB continues to offer its teachers the museum’s award-winning Seminars on Science program, which currently features ten online courses ranging from evolution to ocean dynamics to quantum physics. Each course is six weeks long and is designed specifically for educators. The courses, taught by a museum scientist and a veteran classroom instructor, tap into AMNH’s immense resources and the expertise of leading scientists. Teachers earn up to four graduate credits and/or IB professional development credit. The final assessment activity required of each course focuses on an IB classroom application.
For more details, please visit the workshops and conferences page at http://www.ibo.org/events or contact Irene Pingol, Professional Development manager at the IB New York office via email at irene.pingol@ibo.org.
Space is still available for workshops in the Americas for the remainder of 2010. For more information, please visit the event web pages at: www.ibo.org/events/workshops.cfm
