Have you heard about the IB’s Diploma Programme (DP) Online? If not, I’m not surprised—it’s only in a pilot phase in certain schools worldwide. Dwight Schools was excited to join the pilot in 2022.
While Dwight Schools can’t speak to every student’s experience, we have seen how online education is feeding a need for today’s young learners.
The DP Online is an IB-authorized pilot program designed to reach students worldwide. This initiative caters to students facing barriers in traditional brick-and-mortar settings. Our educators agree with the IB that quality education isn’t something that should be confined to urban or wealthy areas.
Dwight Global Online School, part of The Dwight Schools network with a rich history in IB education since the 1970s, has been a pioneer in delivering the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) online. Today, Dwight Global ranks #2 among online high schools in the U.S.
What we have learned from the DP Online so far can hopefully inspire other schools who may one day adopt the curriculum.
1. Flexibility empowers talents
The online format offers unparalleled flexibility, accommodating students with varied passions and commitments. For example, we maximize the full calendar year to provide breaks to complement their intense training schedules of two nationally ranked skiers.
Another student cofounded LeapCharger, a company devoted to establishing more than 100 EV charger stations in the United Arab Emirates. He traveled globally to promote his company while earning his IB Diploma, demonstrating how online education can help students flourish in their own unique ways.
2. Personalized support is crucial
Effective online education demands a robust support system. Dwight Global emphasizes personalized learning through academic deans, learning support services, and advisory sessions focused on Approaches to Teaching and Learning.
This tailored approach aids students in developing essential skills like time management and critical thinking, ensuring they thrive in a self-driven environment.
3. Innovative teaching enhances engagement
The DP Online means changes to the way we teach, and Dwight Global educators attend workshops on online teaching and pedagogical methods when they begin. Through mentorships and continual professional development, teachers benefit from the DP Online by learning new ways of teaching and thinking.
Leveraging technology transforms learning experiences. Our educators employ both synchronous and asynchronous lessons, using tools like Mote, Gizmos, Miro, and Padlet to foster interactive and immersive learning. Integrated Virtual Reality (VR) offers students experiential learning opportunities that deepen understanding.
4. Building a global community is vital
Despite the physical distances, fostering a sense of community remains central to our program. Through collaborative projects, extracurricular activities, and in-person events, students forge meaningful connections.
Students also take the course Creativity, action, service that requires them to engage with their local community through a project of their own design, ensuring they aren’t isolated.
When students meet for the first time in person after years of online friendship, we observe the profound relationships cultivated in this digital environment.
5. Continuous reflection drives improvement
Our journey underscores the importance of ongoing reflection and adaptation. Regular feedback from students, parents, and teachers informs program enhancements, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our community. Commitment to professional development and flexibility allows us to refine our approach.
Dwight Global's experience with the DP Online illustrates that with flexibility, personalized support, innovative teaching, community building, and a commitment to reflection, online education can match—and even surpass—the offerings of traditional settings.
As education evolves, these insights serve as a roadmap for institutions aiming to deliver impactful and accessible online learning experiences.
Author: Megan Koepsell
"Attending Dwight Global has allowed me to live in three continents, and we have students from countries all across the world. Our truly global community has inspired us to be leaders in both our in-person and online spaces, preparing us to be the global learners and leaders that the world needs. We can be the leaders who resolve conflicts through dialogue, the innovators who spark change across borders, and the visionaries who inspire a brighter tomorrow.”
- IBDP student Allie
