Browsing by Subject "Diploma Programme"

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Open Access
CAS reflection implementation at six international baccalaureate diploma programme schools in Turkey
(2015) Perry, Stirling
The Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) program is a required experiential learning element of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum. As a means of connecting their experiences with learning, students are required to reflect on their CAS activities. If reflection is not implemented effectively, then students are less likely to internalize the lessons they learn from their experiences. This study examined the ways in which CAS program reflection was implemented at six IBDP schools in Turkey. With a research colleague, I visited the six schools, gathering data from interviews with students, teachers, and administrators, as well as collecting a number of documents related to their CAS programs. According to other research, effective reflection should be implemented using a variety of methods, should occur before, during, and after an experience, and should involve regular feedback from advisors/teachers. The results of my research show that most schools rely primarily on simplistic forms, which do not encourage much authentic reflection, such as periodic essays or verbal interactions between advisors/teachers and students, which can be effective if done correctly. Some aspects of reflection implementation at many schools do not align with the recommendations of prior research. As such, I have made certain prescriptions as to how reflection should be implemented, based on my own and others’ research. Key words: creativity, action, service, CAS, International Baccalaureate, IB, Diploma Programme, DP, reflection, implementation, Turkey, school, experiential learning.
Open Access
An exploratory study into student and teacher perspectives of how the theory of knowledge course supports language development
(2017-06) Örge, Denizcan
The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is one of the most challenging courses offered by the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). By design, TOK is a course that requires students to exhibit a high level of English language proficiency. However, since students whose first language is not English also take this course, it is not known if and how TOK teachers support students' language development. To that end, the purpose of this exploratory study is to gain insights into language teaching practices implemented by teachers of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course. Language supports and teaching techniques of teachers were investigated in eight IBDP schools: six from Turkey, one from Lebanon and one from Sweden. Data collection from 305 students and 18 teachers took place via student and teacher surveys that were developed to look into classroom practices considerate of multilingualism and international-mindedness. The surveys yielded a response rate of 85%. Students' level of English, number of languages spoken and the school type they attended were used as factors to analyze language teaching practices. The results of the study reveal that the most popular language teaching practices are whole class discussion, small group discussion groupwork and use of visual aids, as reported by students. The results of the study also indicate that pairwork and Q&A are used more commonly in national schools than international schools. Language supports used for students’ language development are implemented more effectively in national schools, in comparison with international schools.