Updates
Latest Information from the IB
This pages provides you with updates from the IB. You should be viewing this information in conjunction with the materials that are produced and distributed on the site MyIB. In order to gain access to this site, you will need a login name and password. Your IBDP Coordinator or direct line manager at your school should be able to help you with the set-up details. The site also contains helpful resources and some teaching materials. Here is further information on access.
There were some recent additions made to the IB's Academic Integrity Policy, which include reference to AI software, which by extension includes programmes such as ChatGPT.
The IB is embracing this software, but it comes with a range of warnings and suggestions for safeguarding its use.
Schools should consider this new technology in ways that are going to be helpful to students, to see its benefits and ensure that teachers can acknowledge that the work done by students is authentic.
Here is a snippet from the document:
Point 6.2: The IB and AI Tools
The following paragraphs have been extracted from the Academic Integrity Policy, p.53.
The IB will not ban the use of AI software. The simplest reason is that it is the wrong way to deal with innovation. Over the next few years, the use of this kind of software will become as routine as calculators and translation programs. It is more sensible to adapt and teach students how to use these new tools ethically.
AI tools do not threaten the underlying principles of what the IB values. Students are expected to research a topic, and with today’s technology that likely means starting with an internet search. In assessment, the IB does not (generally) award marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Where communication is assessed, we will need to think carefully what this means, but it is more than just having a well-written paragraph and requires considering the key messages for the audience. AI may provide a starting text, but the student will need to understand how and why to refine the text to improve its impact.
AI tools do not represent a crisis in education or assessment. However, in a world where everyone can use software to write newspaper articles, business reports and/or emails to friends, it is a game changer in terms of the skills students need. Instead of being able to produce complete essays, reports, and so on, students need to know how to get the best out of AI tools. For example, to edit text to personalize it, and most importantly, to recognize the inherent bias in what is produced because of the bias in the programming and the material that the AI tool has been trained on from its creators.
The complete document can be found in MyIB (entitled, "Academic Integrity Policy")
As of June 2023, the IB are in the process of collecting information from stakeholders to produce a clarifying document to the current Music Guide, with particular attention on assessment.
Information has been collected in a number of areas, namely:
- Exploring Music in Context
- Presenting Music
- Experimenting with Music
- The Contemporary Music Maker
- The Music Journal
- Areas of Inquiry
- Contexts - Personal, Local and Global
- Vocabulary Associated with Assessment
The documentation should be a welcome addition to the materials that are currently available.
LATEST UPDATE:
The production of this document has been put on hold until further notice.
I have recently received this (October 22, 2024) from the CP/DP Curriculum Manager:
The DP Music Course is under review and a new “basecamp” forum is being established. Basecamp participants will be engaged in guided, collaborative discussion, exploration of possible innovations, and other processes which will inform the continuing development of the curriculum. Basecamps are at their richest and most nourishing when a wide range of perspectives is represented and as such the invitation to join is open to all current IB DP Music teachers. To comply with best practices, you are invited to express your interest by sending a summary CV/resume and a brief supporting statement to [email protected].
Teachers are encouraged to have recent graduates (ideally) to contribute to this review as well. They will need to follow a similar procedure and submit their CV and statement of interest to [email protected].
Do feel free to submit the necessary particulars so that you can contribute to changes to the current course.
The IB recently released a statement that changes the date for the release of results for the November Assessment period. Here is an excerpt from that statement:
With this earlier release date, the IB aims to assist students in meeting crucial university application deadlines in December, helping them secure spots at the universities of their choice.
This shift reflects the IB’s commitment to adapting its processes for the benefit of students worldwide. The IB has been working with schools to determine the feasibility of this change and is working with universities and admissions centres to communicate the reason for and impact of this change.
By releasing results in December rather than in January, the IB seeks to alleviate stress and uncertainty among students. A shorter waiting period for results can significantly ease the anxiety of anticipation, and the revised release date aims to provide students with a timely and reassuring outcome.
Extracted from the official IB webpage. See HERE for more information.
Note that this change will affect all future November assessment release dates. Here is an additional statement from the IB on this:
The updated release date for the November 2024 session is now set for 9:00 pm GMT on 16 December 2024. This date adjustment also will be reflected in the November 2025 session and subsequent years.