IB Core

  • An introduction to the IB Diploma programme.
  • The learner profile and what it means in our physics classes.
  • What is TOK, an introduction by Richard van der Lagermaat.
  • How to encourage students to use what they do in their physics class in TOK.
  • Physics and the TOK essay.
  • A student guide to writing an extended essay.
  • The role of the extended essay supervisor and how to be a good one.
  • An explanation of the extended essay assessment criteria.
  • An example of an excellent extended essay (well I  would think it was excellent since I wrote it)
  • What it's like to write an extended essay, my personal experience.

The IB Diploma

The IB course can be represented by a circle. The circle is divided into six sections, each representing one of the six diploma subjects. These six sections enclose the core of extended essay, theory of knowledge and CAS.

The 6 subjects are like petals of flower held together by the extended essay and TOK. You could argue that the extended essay should be in one of the petals since it is written in only one subject however the skills of essay writing used are relevant to all subjects so skills wise it should be in the middle. TOK fits well in the centre since it connects the subjects but I see CAS as all encompassing rather than at the centre. In this representation the petals are all separate however they should be interlinked, maths and science, language A and language B etc. in practice this is however not always the case and anyway it would spoil the picture.

Selected Pages

  • IB Core

    Theory of Knowledge Free

    Although I was involved in team teaching the whole of the TOK course for a couple of years I am certainly no TOK expert...

  • IB Core

    Writing an Extended Essay

    Some sections of this website are strictly teacher only however this part is for students. I have tried to use both my experience...

  • IB Core

    Extended Essay

    The Extended Essay guide is the ultimate place to go for all official IB information on this aspect of the Diploma. This...

  • IB Core

    EE Exemplars

    Some grade A examples

  • IB Core

    Creativity, Activity, Service

    From the Subject Guide:While CAS is not an area that you need to explicitly consider in your day-to-day teaching, it's helpful...

  • IB Core

    Learner Profile

    The International Baccalaureate have suggested 10 attributes that will enable Diploma students to fulfill its mission statement.Inquirers...

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