DP Subject Selection - IB Through school, Discovery Bay

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DP Subject Selection

Thursday 6 November 2014


Overview of Evening 6.30-‐7.10 Overview of programmes – Brian McCann Intro to HEO – Susie Blomfield 7.15-‐8.30 Department displays in Diploma Centre -‐ HoDs and teachers available to answer quesDons HE Counsellors available in their offices (Susie Blomfield and Amanda Yan)


The IB Organisation

•  Founded in 1968, first graduates 1971 •  Pressure from diplomats who wanted internaDonally transferable qualificaDon

•  Recognised leader in the field of internaDonal educaDon

•  Encourages students to be acDve learners, well-‐rounded individuals and engaged world ciDzens


IB Diploma

•  Two year curriculum for students aged 16 - 19 "

•  Recognised by universities worldwide"

•  Asks challenging questions"

•  Students learn how to learn"

•  Develops a strong sense of identity and culture"

•  Develops ability to communicate with and understand people from other cultures"



IB Diploma •  Three subjects at Higher level (240 hours) •  Three subjects at Standard level (150 Hours) •  Theory of Knowledge (ToK) •  Extended Essay (EE) •  CreaDvity, AcDon and Service (CAS) •  Bilingual Diploma if two Languages A taken (seen as presDgious, valued by universiDes)


Theory of Knowledge (ToK)

•  CriDcally evaluates knowledge claims •  SDmulates criDcal reflecDon •  Develops ability to analyse evidence •  Make interdisciplinary connecDons •  Explores strengths and limitaDons of individual and cultural perspecDves

•  Assessment: Essay & PresentaDon


Extended Essay (EE)

•  Essay of 4,000 words •  InvesDgaDon of a topic of special interest in an “in depth” manner

•  Chosen from one of the subjects taught •  Independent research and wriDng skills expected at university

•  February Year 12 -‐ November Year 13


Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) •  Educates the whole person •  Helps students become responsible, compassionate ciDzens

•  Crea/vity: arts, and other experiences that involve creaDve thinking.

•  Ac/on: physical exerDon contribuDng to a healthy lifestyle, complemenDng academic work.

•  Service: an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.


IB Diploma – Grading System

•  Each subject is assessed on the 1-‐7 scale •  ToK/EE in combinaDon are worth 0-‐3 points •  (6 x 7) + 3 = 45 points •  24 points is the minimum passing total •  Various “fail codes” apply, e.g. –  ‘2’ in a HL subject –  less than 12 overall in 3 HL subjects –  ‘E’ in ToK or EE


Assessment in the IB Diploma

•  Internal Assessment conducted throughout the 2 year course -‐ external moderaDon

•  Art -‐ a porlolio of photographs of work and a wrimen personal statement

•  Music -‐ recorded performances •  Oral examinaDons for languages •  Science – lab reports •  Wrimen examinaDons for most subjects at the end of the two year course


Language Choices MYP

Lang A

Phase 5

Phase 4

Phase 3

Phase 2

Phase 1

DP

Lang A HL

Lang A SL

Lang B HL

Lang B SL

Ab IniDo


Self-taught Language •  Must be fluent in language to an academic level (reading and wriDng)

•  Only Literature SL available •  Study with tutor outside school (paid by parents) •  School-‐based supervisor •  Independent study •  Must have iniDaDve and be disciplined


Group 4 Science Options

•  Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design Technology (DT) available at SL and HL

•  Environmental Systems and SocieDes (ESS) and Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) available at SL only

•  DT, ESS and SEHS may not be counted as a tradiDonal lab science by many universiDes


New Science Course •  Offered as an IB pilot subject •  Available at SL only •  General Science – avoids the need to choose •  Excellent as a final experience of science educaDon

•  Will likely be accepted as a “lab science” but would weigh less than Bio, Chem, Phys

•  See Mr. Power for more details


Mathematics MYP

Extended

Standard

DP

Higher

Standard

Studies


The Arts •  Doing one Arts subject a very viable opDon – keeps educaDon broad

•  Possible to do two Arts subjects, but only if Env Sys & Soc is taken – cannot do a tradiDonal Humanity or Science

•  Doing two Arts leads down a parDcular path


The aim of the HEO

•  To find a university or pathway that is the right fit for every student academically, socially and culturally


The role of the HEO

•  To maximise students’ opportuniDes of geqng good offers

•  To give students opDons and keep doors open •  To meet with every student individually from years 11-‐13 to discuss subject selecDon, career pathways and to advise on university opDons and majors


Importance of Subject Selection

•  Can play a crucial role in university admissions •  Can determine an offer or a rejecDon •  Higher Level subjects are parDcularly important


It’s complex….

•  Course requirements can vary between country, programme and university

•  Some courses do not require parDcular combinaDons

•  Canada: Maths Studies largely not recognized, Chemistry needed for Engineering plus Maths & Physics

•  Germany – Maths and 1 Science at HL •  US – a lab science is a ‘must’


Sample combinations

•  Medicine – Chemistry & Biology HL, Maths minimum Standard

•  Engineering – Maths & Physics at HL (Chemistry for Canada)

•  Law – History, English, Geography at HL


Possible prerequisites

•  Architecture – Art at HL, mixture of art and sciences preferred

•  Business – no prerequisites, but Maths can be important

•  Economics – Maths at HL for top universiDes, Economics

•  Psychology – Sciences at HL, Psychology useful


Possible prerequisites

•  Interna/onal Rela/ons/Poli/cs: History, English, Economics very useful

•  Computer Science – Maths & Physics at HL •  Sports Science – 1 or 2 Sciences at HL •  Anthropology – History, Economics, Geography, Languages at HL very useful


Importance of Rigour

•  Aiming low to score high – does it work? •  Chinese A or Chinese B? Maths Studies or Maths Standard?

•  Not just a mamer of admission, but one of transiDon (Kings College London)


Facilitating Subjects

“Taking two facilitaDng subjects will keep a wide range of degree courses and career opDons open. These are the subjects most commonly required by our universiDes.” Dr. Wendy Piam, Director General of Russell Group, U.K.

If in doubt, keep subjects broad.


Facilitating Subjects

•  English •  Languages (A or B, not ab iniDo) •  Geography •  History •  Biology •  Chemistry •  Physics •  MathemaDcs (Higher or Standard, not Studies)


If you are unsure….

•  Keep it broad, choose 2 facilitaDng subjects at HL •  Do subjects you enjoy and are good at: play to your strengths

•  Be realisDc •  Speak to your teachers and your HE Counsellor •  Be flexible to keep your opDons open •  Research admission requirements if you have a clear idea of what you want to study at university


The Pathways

•  Full IB Diploma •  IB Diploma Courses •  Applied Learning (BTEC)

We are looking for the best fit for each student with appropriate challenge


IB Diploma Courses

•  6 subjects or less •  No Higher level required •  No ToK, EE or CAS requirement •  CAS is a school requirement •  CompleDon of 5 subjects, one year of ToK and a 2,000 word “Extended Project” qualifies a student for graduaDon from DC

•  Allows students to focus Dme and energy on areas where success is more likely


Applied Learning (BTEC)

•  VocaDonal, career-‐oriented courses, e.g. Business, Art, Engineering, Sport •  Different style of learning •  Equivalent to 3 A-‐levels •  Accepted by UK universiDes and increasingly internaDonally

•  Offered at other ESF schools (not DC)


The Process •  Talk to teachers, Mr. McCann, Ms. Blomfield, Ms. Yan and do research on universiDes

•  Indicate choices on opDons form •  Teachers sign, with indicaDon of “recommended” or “not recommended”

•  Parent/guardian signs •  Submit form to Mr. McCann by Friday 21 November at 2.20pm

•  Meet HE Counsellor and review choices, during January to May


Making Decisions

•  Personal interest and enjoyment •  Ability •  Future study/career plans – be realis/c (Must do research – consult HE Counsellors) •  NOT who you think the teacher will be •  Who makes the decision?

Student Parents The School


More Information

•  Senior School Prospectus 2015-‐17 (online and hard copy)

•  Subject teachers •  Website under Curriculum -‐> DP:hmp://www.discovery.edu.hk/cms/index.php/en/curriculum-‐informaDon/dp

•  DP guides on Ding! under Courses -‐> DP -‐> DP Admin

•  3-‐way Conferences on Thur 13 – Fri 14 November


General Questions?

Documents

DP Subject Selection - IB Through school, Discovery Bay