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IB philosophy

IB philosophy and the librarian: knowing something of the IB's philosophy (or 'big ideas') can be helpful strategies for the school librarian as well as exercising a natural mindset - finding out or inquiring - of librarians and, of course, being interested in a/the focus of our professional life. In this section, we look at aspects of IB philosophy. 

IB philosophy and the librarian 

"As integral members of a school’s IB learning community, librarians needs to be fully aware of the philosophy that underpins IB teaching and learning so they can support inquiry, action and reflection in the library and beyond." 

(Learning stories - An IB educator's story about the role of librarians in multilingual learning communities. International Baccalaureate Organization, n.d.) 

IB philosophy or big ideas 

These big ideas include:

  • Mission statement
  • International-mindedness
  • Learner Profile
  • Language(s)
  • Academic Integrity
  • Inquiry
  • Approaches to Teaching and Learning
  • Concluding Projects (including DP Extended Essay)
  • Programme Standards and Practices

Some of these fit more naturally into other sections of the website (see links below), but others provide the focus of this section. 

IB terminology

Cross-Programme

On the Programme Resource Centre (PRC) of MyIB, you can search either for programme-specific documentation or information, or cross-programme, where documentation is relevant to all IB programmes. Cross-programme documentation reflects larger aspects of IB education - arguably, IB philosophy or big ideas. 

IB Continuum of International Education

This term refers to the four programmes of the IB and indicates that a student may experience three of these programmes, i.e. PYP<MYP<DP or CP. 

Photo by Vale Zmeykov on Unsplash

Aspects of IB philosophy not in this section

Some aspects of IB philosophy or big ideas are the focus of other sections of this website, such as:

Inquiry and the IBDP school library/ian 

Academic integrity 

Approaches to Teaching & Learning (ATL) 

Extended Essay (Concluding projects) 

IB Programme Standards and Practices 

What can we do?

  • Be aware of the philosophical ideas of the IB, such as the Learner Profile and the IB mission statement. Even if they assume more importance in the run-up to evaluation of the IB programme(s) in your school, it is still more likely that these aspects will be mentioned as part of the normal operation of the DP in your school. 

Reference

Learning stories - An IB educator's story about the role of librarians in multilingual learning communities. (n.d.). International Baccalaureate Organization. Available through the Programme Resource Centre on MyIB. 

Photo by Vale Zmeykov on Unsplash

Bold type in quote at top of page made by authors of this website 

Selected Pages

Tags: IB philosophy, cross-programme, IB continuum of international education

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