Experts believe that every child has a particular talent and gift entrenched deeply within him/her. Institutions should create an environment, where children can grow physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Children cannot only become creative and responsible citizens by learning about their own country.They also need to gain an understanding of other cultures and countries. This is,fundamentally, the IB system. The best IB school in Beirut helps students become good citizens of the country and responsible, global citizens.
What to Look for in an IB School
IB system permits schools to create an environment of learning which fits in with the local culture and exposes students to international thinking. Respect for the rich heritage of the country willallow students to contribute their bit to the culture. Parents wish to emphasize on spiritual, mental, and physical development such that kids can be responsible, compassionate, committed to change, and innovative, not only in Lebanon, but also globally.
Distinct Qualities of IB
Every IB school has a specific mission statement, which draws from its values- the values of the community and the values of the system. An IB curriculum may be used to design particular learning vehicles through which such values can be instilled in students.
In the IB curriculum, there is a focus on attitude-to-learning, and this is through knowing how students learn. Also, the curriculum includes how students can communicate or articulate the understanding they gain from learning. There are also other key values, like collaboration, organizational skills, the capacity to use Information Technology (IT), problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Another crucial aspect is that students learn to reflect on their activities. After such things are settled, the curriculum is created and content is imported into the curriculum, such that these competencies can be instilled in students.
The next step is to hire teachers and train them in order to deliver and to assess the curriculum. Assessment may be done to know whether students have learned what teachers have aimed at through their teaching. This is a unique feature of the IB curriculum. The advantage of such an assessment is that students can be aware of what they need to do for success and how they can do it. It has a high success rate, and it boosts self-esteem. The students become able to live up to the vision of the school.
Some values instilled by IB curriculum for students to strive forarethe following: knowledgeable, inquirer, communicator, thinker, open-minded, principled, balanced, caring, and reflective.
Pros of IB School
IB prepares students for further and advanced education. Students are abreast of modern ways of learning and the manner in which universities are run. Modern universities focus heavily on students whoare held accountable for their own learning. In the last 2 years of the IB program, students have to take up a subject choice aligned to what they will study in university.
There are also three specific areas in the curriculum:
- Community Action Service (CAS): Students must spend nearly 150 hours in community service.
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK): This is compulsory in the final 2 years of IB DP.
- Extended Essay: Students have to present a research paper of 4000 words on any topic.
Thus, IB has a balanced curriculum. Students are exposed to varied experiences,including field trips, community service, and interaction with students and teachers from other cultures.
