International Baccalaureate (IB)
Pittsburgh Obama International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Experience
What is the IB DP?
A student-centered program designed as an academically challenging and balanced program of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16 to 19 or Grades 11-12, for success at university and life beyond. The program is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities. Click here for IBO website
What is the educational philosophy of the IB DP?
The educational philosophy of the organization is found in its mission statement: "The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right."
What is the IB learner profile?
The learner profile provides a long-term vision of education. It is a set of ideals that can inspire, motivate and focus the work of students, parents, schools and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose. The learner profile is a set of qualities that enhance student learning. The IB learner profile is now applicable to all students and adults involved in IB program implementation, or the IBO community of learners. The IB learner profile states that “IB learners strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective”.
IB DP Curriculum Model
The IB DP curriculum, which is visualized through the IB DP hexagonal curriculum model, places the student and the learner profile at the center. Around the student are the three core requirements:
1) The extended essay which is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying,
2) Theory of knowledge which is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical)
3) Creativity, action, service which requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately. The three core requirements are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.
Each subject occupies a point around the edge of the hexagonal model. IB DP students study six courses at higher level or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5 (Group 1 - studies in language and literature, Group 2 - second language acquisition, Group 3 - individuals and societies, Group 4 - experimental sciences, Group 5 - mathematics and computer science, Group 6 - the arts), thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 1 to 5.
Click to see a picture of the IB DP Curriculum Model
Who manages the IB MYP implementation?
The principal is responsible for all programs in any school; however, the IBO requires a coordinator to ensure effective implementation of the program. There is a great deal of coordination that must take place within the school, between the school and community and between the school and the IBO. This individual is responsible for the majority of the communication, documentation and facilitation of the program. Pittsburgh Obama's IB DP coordinator is Mr. Joseph Ehman. He can be reached at (412) 622-5980 or via e-mail at jehman1@pghschools.org. While the IB DP coordinator oversees the management of the program, the teachers play the true grit and vital pedagogical roles. It is the delivery of instruction through the IB DP philosophy that awakens and stimulates academic inquisitiveness within our students.