I think, therefore IB

For everyone involved with IB education

recent posts

about

  • The interesting idea of many intelligences

    The interesting idea of many intelligences

    Ah, Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. The idea that we possess a plethora of distinct types of intelligence sounds enticing, doesn’t it? Finally, a framework where everyone gets a gold star and nobody feels left out. It’s an egalitarian’s dream come true—except for one minor detail: there’s absolutely no empirical evidence to support it. Yes, Gardner’s theory remains as scientifically unsubstantiated as any claim spewed from the mouth of Donald Trump when he starts referencing statistics.

    What an interesting idea. Let’s call it a theory. Ah, same thing.

    The theory’s appeal is obvious. It provides an easy way to flatter ourselves and our children, assuring us that even if little Johnny can’t solve a math problem, he’s still a genius at kinesthetic intelligence because he can kick a soccer ball. Or perhaps Sally’s tendency to sing off-key isn’t a lack of musical talent but a manifestation of her naturalistic intelligence, best appreciated when she’s talking to plants.

    However, let’s not kid ourselves. Gardner’s theory, while entertaining and popular in educational circles, stands on shaky ground. It lacks the rigorous testing and validation that real science demands. The multiple intelligences framework has been scrutinized by psychologists and education experts alike, only to reveal a glaring absence of empirical support. The data just doesn’t back it up.

    In reality, clinging to such an untested hypothesis does little more than propagate the myth that everyone can be an expert in their own special way without putting in the hard work and critical thinking required by true intellectual pursuits. Gardner’s theory might make us feel good, but without solid evidence, it’s just another comforting illusion—no more credible than a fantastical claim from a former reality TV star turned politician.

  • Making mistakes in the classroom

    Making mistakes in the classroom

    New research points to the practical importance of a positive error climate in the classroom

    It’s OK to make mistakes.

    My primary school teacher used to say often, ‘it’s OK to make mistakes as long as we learn from them’.

    https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/making-mistakes-easy-aids-teacher-student-relationship

  • Attendance

    Attendance

    Why do some students in the same classes have very high attendance and others have very low attendance?

    Here’s a glimpse into New Zealand’s school attendance issue.

  • A paradigm shift in US education?

    A paradigm shift in US education?

    According to Robert Kelty*, “Shortcomings in traditional education systems were evident before the pandemic, which further revealed the impacts of academic stress and a narrow focus on memorization. Reports worldwide sounded the alarm that depression, chronic absenteeism and disengagement among students soared during and after the pandemic. Academic achievement plummeted on state assessments and NAEP scores, particularly for our most disadvantaged students.”

    Click on the link to read the rest of this opinion piece.

    *Robert Kelty is the IBO’s head of development, outreach and government relations for North America.

  • Poor kids, rich kids

    Poor kids, rich kids

    Studying the IB Diploma can overcome the disadvantage of being poor.

    Most people associated with education research ‘know’ that socio-economic status is a strong predictor of educational/academic achievement. In short, kids from rich families do better at school (and university) than kids from poor families. Rich parents have successful students. So, imagine reading this… ‘School students who opt for the International Baccalaureate over a traditional leaving certificate are almost 100 per cent certain to be offered a place at university and, once there, achieve higher marks and are far less likely to drop out, new research has found.

    ‘Against a backdrop of one in five first-year students dropping out, every single IB graduate went on to second year and then to graduate from their course.

    ‘Significantly, students from poor families did as well at university as those from rich backgrounds, a trend that is not observed in the general population, lead author Kylie Hillman from the Australian Council of Educational Research said.

    ‘“It was the dedication, teachers, and building a really comprehensive understanding of my subjects that informed not only my approach to university but also how I work as a legal practitioner,” Ms Werneburg said.’

    Here’s a link to the full article.

  • PISA – what are they?

    PISA – what are they?

    Not the Leaning Tower of… but the PISA tests, run by the OECD to show improvements in member-states’ education systems. Newspapers like to refer to them if they’re bad and politicians like to refer to them if they’re good. But what are they and what did the 2022 results say about education systems? (Guess what, little and relatively low-income Estonia significantly outperformed the much-heralded Finland in each PISA ranking.)

    According to their website, ‘PISA measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.’ And, ‘Around 690 000 students took the PISA assessment in 2022, representing about 29 million 15-year-olds from schools in 81 participating countries and economies.’

    Here are some highlights from the general comments about the 2022 PISA results…

    You can even see and take the tests for yourself at this link.

  • Do universities value the IB Diploma? Do they ever!

    Do universities value the IB Diploma? Do they ever!

    Because the IB Diploma is not a national curriculum or a national examination system, many rightly ask whether universities recognise it as an admission qualification. The short is ‘yes’. But let me say that another way; ‘YES’. And here’s some evidence…

    wp-1711889956510.pdfDownload

  • Has Estonia solved the education issue?

    Has Estonia solved the education issue?

    Every three years, the OECD conducts the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a global assessment of 15-year-olds’ critical thinking in math, science, and reading across over 65 countries representing 90% of the world’s economies. Approximately 600,000 students undergo a two-hour test to evaluate their skills and knowledge, focusing on science, reading, and mathematics. Unlike traditional tests, PISA questions emphasize real-world problem-solving skills rather than rote memorization of facts.

    Students completed two one-hour tests, each focusing on mathematics, reading or science, with varying combinations such as mathematics followed by reading or science followed by mathematics. Test included multiple-choice questions and constructed responses. Additionally, students completed a background questionnaire about personal information, attitudes, beliefs, home life and school experiences. School principals completed a questionnaire about school management, organization, and the learning environment.

    Estonia’s government is doing a good job supporting its education system. It built `3 new high schools in the last 5 years and all students are provided with free (government/taxpayer funded) lunches in support of an Estonian value that all people matter. This recent article gives more substance to the ‘Estonia is doing exceptionally well at education’ argument, but let’s return to those PISA tests and results…

    But… 22% of girls and 29% of boys in Estonia reported being the victim of bullying at least a few times a month; the OECD average was 20% girls and 21% boys). In Estonia, 73% of students attended schools facing challenges in providing instruction due to a lack of qualified staff. In 2018, it was just 44%. Students in schools with reported staff shortages generally scored lower in mathematics compared to those in schools with adequate staffing.

    Principals reported increasing difficulties recruiting fully qualified teachers.

    From 2012 to 2022, all of Estonia’s PISA scores followed a consistent trend: an initial rise followed by a decline in performance across all three subjects. Although the decline in mathematics and reading is recent, with stable or slightly improved results from 2012 to 2018, science saw a decline starting around 2012. The latest results closely resemble those from 2006 and 2009 in all subjects.

    So, has Estonia solved the Education Issue? Perhaps not as much as The Guardian article would suggest but matters still look good for students. The Government seems motivated, building new schools and giving autonomy to Principals, but teachers are underpaid, and so Principals are facing an increasing struggling to employ qualified teachers.

  • Introductory Economics

    Introductory Economics

    An exciting new teaching resource for teachers of IBDP, A Level or AP Economics, or first year college/university Economics.

    Available from Amazon at this link.

    An exciting new teaching resource
    (more…)