How to Instruct IB Classes

Locate a nearby IB educator certificate program. While any qualified educators can technically teach IB classes, teachers with an IB background will have an advantage when applying to teach at IB schools. Search for a university or educational institution nearby offering an IB educator certificate program. Alternatively, you can enroll in online courses to earn a certificate remotely.

• Visit the International Baccalaureate website at https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/new-structure/university-admission/pdfs/ib-university-directory-2019-en.pdf to find a list of universities offering IB educator certificates, along with detailed descriptions of each program.
• On average, IB certification takes approximately 22 weeks to complete.

Ensure you meet the program's entry qualifications. Every educational institution offering an IB educator program sets its own entry criteria. You can find these requirements on the IB directory or the program's website.

• To check the requirements in the IB educator certificates directory, visit: https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/new-structure/university-admission/pdfs/ib-university-directory-2019-en.pdf.
• If you don't meet the requirements, explore the prerequisites for other certificate programs available online or in your area.

Inquire about the institution's fee structure. The expenses associated with obtaining an IB educator certificate vary depending on the institution's fee arrangement. This can differ significantly based on the institution's location. Before applying, contact your chosen institution to obtain this information.

Select your program's focus before applying. The IB offers 4 primary programs tailored to different age groups and educational objectives. Determine the focus of your certificate training based on your teaching specialization. For example:

• If you aim to teach IB classes in elementary school, select the Primary Years program, designed for children aged 3-12.
• If your objective is to teach IB classes to middle school students, choose the Middle Years program, catering to children aged 11-16.
• If you aspire to teach IB classes to older high school students, opt for the Diploma program, targeting academically-oriented students aged 16-19.
• You may also opt for the Career-related program, which emphasizes career-specific education for ages 16-19.

Successfully complete the required courses to obtain your certificate. Whether you attend courses in person or online, you must pass all of them to earn your certificate. Some institutions may mandate a minimum grade for each course, and others may impose a time limit for completing all the credits. Familiarize yourself with your institution's specific requirements to ensure you receive your certificate.

Enroll to access the IB's central hub for teaching materials. As an IB educator, you're entitled to access a platform providing resources, educational apps, and communities for each IB program. Once your online enrollment is confirmed, you can access resources for various subjects within your specific IB program. For example, if you teach multiple subjects within the middle years program, you can access resources for each subject.

• If you teach IB classes across multiple programs, you'll need to enroll more than once.
• Visit https://internationalbaccalaureate.force.com/ibportal/IBPortalRegistration to complete your enrollment.

Participate in an IB workshop either online or in person for inspiration on lesson planning. Workshops focusing on each of the 4 IB programs can provide guidance on teaching methods and structuring lesson plans. These events allow you to network and engage with other IB educators. Find workshops through the IB website and register online.

• Visit the IB website at http://www.ibo.org/professional-development/find-events-and-workshops/ to locate workshops in your area or online.
• Filter by country, date, program, and language of delivery.

Stay updated on IB news and trends through social media channels. The IB has Twitter and Facebook accounts where teachers can interact and exchange ideas. These platforms also serve as a means to stay informed about changes in the IB curriculum and upcoming events. Utilize these social media channels to connect with other IB educators worldwide.

• Find the IB Twitter page at https://twitter.com/iborganization.
• Locate its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/IBO.org.

Procure IB-specific teaching resources. The IB program offers a range of approved educational materials, accessible through the Follett Titlewave educational store. You can find IB resources such as printed textbooks, eText documents, and videos. Visit https://www.titlewave.com/go/ib to create an account and begin browsing.

Consult with your school's IB coordinator for guidance on lesson planning. An IB coordinator is a teacher or administrator responsible for overseeing the school's implementation of the IB program. Their responsibilities include meeting with teachers to discuss lesson plans, keeping parents and the school principal informed about the program, and managing program administration.

• You may need to schedule meetings with your school's IB coordinator outside of regular class time to receive assistance with developing your teaching plans.

Encourage students to explore interdisciplinary issues. The IB program emphasizes integration across academic disciplines. Prompt your students to analyze significant issues through the lenses of various subjects such as history, science, and literature. Challenge them to identify connections between seemingly unrelated concepts to illustrate the interconnectedness of knowledge.

• For instance, students can delve into the topic of electric cars, examining their historical background, scientific principles, and societal impact.

Promote inquiry across all subject areas. Foster critical thinking skills, a cornerstone of the IB educational approach, by encouraging students to question assumptions and ideas in every subject area. Engage them in discussions about pressing global issues, emphasizing the validity of diverse perspectives.

• For example, initiate debates about the enduring relevance of classic literature in contemporary English curriculum.

Empower students to design and execute their own projects. The IB program advocates for flexible learning experiences. Encourage students to pursue their interests and strengths by planning and executing self-directed projects, including a significant personal project in the Diploma programme. Assign open-ended tasks that allow students to select topics of personal significance and approach them in their preferred manner.

• For instance, a student might opt to produce a documentary exploring local recycling initiatives and their broader environmental implications.

Foster collaboration among educators within your school. Collaborating with fellow IB educators can enhance creativity, reduce workload, and facilitate lesson planning. Share lesson plans through in-person meetings or virtual platforms like Google Drive. Collaborate with teachers teaching similar grades or subjects to develop collaborative projects, assignments, and activities that enrich student learning experiences.

Develop lessons for SL and HL courses in the IB Diploma program. In the IB Diploma Program, students are required to undertake a minimum of 3 courses at a higher level (HL) instead of the standard level (SL). SL courses typically involve around 150 hours of instructional time, whereas HL courses should encompass at least 240 hours. Prepare additional lesson plans and projects tailored to the more rigorous demands of HL courses compared to SL content.