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The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a respected qualification gaining increasing currency around the world, and which has been adopted by a wide variety of schools, both public and private. In the UK, growing dissatisfaction with the A-level system has led to an intense debate about alternative qualifications, and in many schools IB courses have been introduced alongside conventional A-level courses.This practical introduction to the IB takes a balanced look at the pros and cons and features a wealth of advice from those actually involved in teaching and implementing it in schools. Providing comparative material on how IB courses differ from A-levels and a subject-by-subject account of best practice in teaching the IB, this book offers a rich source of practical advice for teachers, school leaders or managers involved in teaching or implementing the IB programmes.
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The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a respected qualification, gaining increasing currency around the world, and has been adopted by a wide variety of schools, both public and private. In the UK, growing dissatisfaction with the A-level system has led to an intense debate about alternative qualifications, and in many schools IBDP courses have been introduced alongside conventional A-level courses. The IBDP offers students: • • • • breadth of study; independent research skills; rigorous academic standards; recognition of achievement in extra-curricular activities. This accessible introduction to the IBDP takes a balanced look at the pros and cons of the qualification, and features a wealth of advice from those actually involved in teaching and implementing it in schools. Providing comparative material on how IBDP courses differ from A-levels, and a subject-by-subject account of best practice in teaching the IBDP, this book offers a rich source of practical advice for teachers, school leaders and managers involved in teaching and implementing the IBDP. Tim Pound is a Research Fellow at the Westminster Institute of Education, Oxford Brookes University. His research interests lie in the field of post-compulsory education, and his publications have focused specifically on qualifications and curriculum reform. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme An introduction for teachers and managers Edited by Tim Pound First published 2006 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 270 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2006. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group © 2006 selection and editorial matter, Tim Pound; individual chapters, the contributors Printed and bound in Great Britain by TJ International Ltd, Padstow, Cornwall All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record has been requested for this book ISBN10: 0-415-39044-3 (hbk) ISBN10: 0-415-33537-X (pbk) ISBN13: 9-78-0-415-39044-6 (hbk) ISBN13: 9-78-0-415-33537-9 (pbk) Contents List of figures and tables Notes on contributors Preface vii ix xi PART I <