I think, therefore IB

To everyone involved in creating and maintaining IBExchange: thank you! Truly.

For those of us who’ve been teaching the IB long enough to remember the OCC (Online Curriculum Centre), yes, I know, I’m showing my age, IBExchange feels like a breath of fresh air. The OCC served its purpose in its day, but IBExchange is something altogether different: modern, well-organised, collaborative, official, and teacher-friendly in every way.

What strikes me most is how thoughtfully it has been designed. There’s a dedicated section for every subject, and within each, a community chat space led by a subject expert, often a workshop leader or curriculum insider. This is the perfect space to ask for official advice or to get authoritative answers about Subject Guides, assessment expectations, and exam procedures. No more posting questions in unofficial social media groups and sorting through a pile of conflicting or speculative replies. IBExchange provides clarity, professionalism, and accuracy, all in one place.

Then there’s the treasure trove of teacher resources. Some are professional development materials such as pptx presentations, videos, and documents that help us grow as educators. Others are classroom-ready teaching materials created by subject experts and peer-reviewed by other experts. Everything comes with the IB’s seal of approval, which means we can finally stop worrying about quality or compliance. And did I mention? It’s all free. That alone makes IBExchange infinitely more valuable than many of the overpriced, inconsistent subscription sites that have popped up over the years.

It’s hard not to feel a little giddy about it, honestly. This is exactly the kind of platform IB teachers have needed for years: a space that combines community, credibility, and collaboration. My only surprise is that more teachers aren’t using it yet. If you haven’t already, you can access it easily through your MyIB page and once you’re there, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.

So, to the IB team, the subject managers, the workshop leaders, the reviewers, the developers, and everyone else behind the scenes: thank you. You’ve created something extraordinary for educators around the world. IBExchange isn’t just an upgrade from the old OCC; it’s a giant leap forward for the entire IB teaching community.

With genuine appreciation,
A grateful IB teacher

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