Why Ibicus Workshops?

In 2003, while working as an IB Diploma coordinator, Jill Rutherford noted that teachers who attended workshops gained inspiration and came back revitalised, yet there were limited opportunities to attend.

Ibicus started small with a few teachers getting together to share their ideas and Kevin Brown made it all possible with his business and communication skills.

Lesley Beckingham, who has many years' experience as an IB Administrator, is our Administration Manager, handling all your requirements.

We have now run workshops for over 900 teachers from 300 schools in over 100 countries in 30 subjects, enhancing the provision that the regional IBAEM office gives for Diploma teacher training.

We don't want to seem too missionary about the IB but we firmly believe in its philosophy and have seen that putting it into practice in schools changes the experience of the student and teacher for the better.

The workshops are intensive but productive, as experience and feedback tell us that this is the way most of you like them. Group sizes are limited, so you have time to discuss your questions and most participants find that they leave the workshops with a network of new colleagues with whom they can continue sharing ideas.

We know that teachers work hard and hope that you leave our workshops with concrete ideas to put into practice, some hints and tips on teaching the courses, having met some new colleagues and having had an experience that is inspirational or uplifting as well as a good time.

We look forward to meeting you.

Jill, Kevin and Lesley

Workshop aims and Academic content

Outcomes

We hope that by the end of the workshop participants will:

• Feel well-prepared to teach the course
• Have a range of teaching strategies and resources to use
• Have an international perspective on their teaching
• Be confident about inserting elements of ToK into their teaching
• Have made new contacts and intend to keep in touch with some
• Have been given some short-cuts and tips for their teaching
• Have had a good time
• Feel that they have got value for money and have been treated as professionals

Each workshop covers:

• The philosophy and pedagogy of the IB and the Diploma
• An overview of the core (ToK, extended essays and CAS) and the learner profile
• Subject-specific understanding of
• The content of the subject and how to structure a scheme of work
• Resources available
• Internal assessment (IA) - how it works and how to mark it
• External assessment (exams) - structure, sample scripts and marking
• Links with ToK
• Extended essays

Subject workshops provide you with the tools you need to develop the subject within your institution by engaging you in discussion, activities and reflection. You will share best practice and thoughts on teaching and learning strategies and resources. Leaders are responsive to your needs and aim to create a supportive, inclusive and collegiate atmosphere.