Our Calendar

Aims and Academic Content

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. 

 

We hope that by the end of a workshop with us, 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

All IBICUS workshops are evaluated by the IB using their strict quality assurance systems.

We work in close cooperation with the IB and all of our workshops follow the category guidelines issued by them - IB Professional Development Workshop categories IB Professional Development Workshop Categories and Types

Following attendance at an IBICUS workshop, you will receive an official IB Certificate of Attendance, which qualifies for IB authorisation and evaluation purposes.

Workshop Categories

  • Category 1, which focus on IB philosophy and implementation

    Category 1 workshops focus on IB philosophy and implementation. They provide professional development and assistance for schools that have decided to apply for IB authorisation. They are also relevant for educators who are new to a school with an existing IB programme and those interested in joining an IB school. Participants will gain an understanding of: the basic philosophy and curricular model of the programme, including the IB mission statement, learner profile, and curriculum documents programme standards and practices appropriate to the participants’ role (e.g., teacher, administrator, head of school, and so on) the appropriate programme framework (PYP, MYP, DP)

    Teachers who are new to an IB programme will:

    • Receive a general introduction to IB philosophy and programme
    • Understand the structure of the programme (including assessment procedures)
    • Create drafts or refine and improve course outlines/designs and application
    • Be able to begin teaching the programme upon completion of the workshop

    Please note: Category 1 workshops will only spend 1–2 sessions on the course designs/outlines. If new teachers already have a course outline, they will be able to review it and discuss it with the workshop leader.

    To learn more about IB Basics, download this useful guide

  • Category 2, which focus on delivery of the four IB programmes of education

    Category 2 workshops focus on programme delivery. They emphasise assessment, teaching and learning methodologies, and exploring best practice in the classroom. The goals of these workshops are to enhance the understanding of the IB philosophy and programme model and improve the quality of programme delivery. Participants will:

    • make connections between the programme framework and practice
    • enhance their understanding of assessment in IB programmes
    • discuss and analyse standards and practices
    • engage in discussion and activities aimed at sharing pedagogical techniques such as best practice in the classroom;
    • teaching and learning methodologies; and finding, sharing, developing and using resources.

    Teachers who have attended category 1 training and currently teach in an IB programme will:

    • Share best practices, teaching and learning methodologies and resources
    • Explore IB assessment in more depth
    • Enhance the quality of pedagogy and international-mindedness

    Please note: Category 2 workshops assume participants have experience of teaching their particular IB programme. Participants will be expected to have a good understanding and practical experience in the assessment so they can share good practices.

  • Category 3, for educators to build on and enhance their professional development portfolios

    Category 3 workshops vary in terms of audience. Some are for more experienced educators who want to enhance their professional development portfolios. Others are for all educators – those with and those without a great deal of experience. 

    Participants will engage in detailed discussions on topics such as learning theory, pedagogy, assessment, and other scholarly interests.  Category 3 workshops go more deeply into specific areas.

    These workshops also cover subject-specific content, administrative and pedagogical leadership, and subject-specific seminars on changes to the IB curriculum.

     

    Note: Teachers and other school leaders who do not teach in an IB World School but wish to sample IB learning may choose to participate in a Category 3 workshop.

What to Expect

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS – LIVE, INTERACTIVE AND INTENSIVE

  • IBICUS official IB virtual workshops feature the use of ZOOM* as a platform and unless stated otherwise, take place over 3 consecutive days for 4.5 hours per day. This means that they are intensive and very focussed while allowing the opportunity for interaction and discussion both with the workshop leader and other participants. Participants will work independently both on and offline and there is also the chance to hold discussions and work collaboratively with other participants both individually and in groups through the use of breakout rooms.
  • All official IB workshops are led by IB-trained expert workshop leaders**.
  • Once we have received and processed your booking, you will receive an email acknowledging along with the information pack which gives you information about your workshop and links to download and advice in using ZOOM. Once we have received sufficient enrolment to confirm that the workshop will go ahead, you will receive an email stating that your workshop is confirmed.
  • Around 10 days before your workshop, you will be contacted by your workshop leader with an introduction to the workshop, the agenda and you will have the chance to interact and raise any burning issues which might be able to be addressed in the workshop. You may also be asked to complete a pre-workshop questionnaire and/or some form of preparatory work/reading.
  • Two days before the workshop, you will receive a link to the workshop along with any joining instructions and confirmation of the timings (see below).

*All participants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with ZOOM well before the workshop starts.

** During your workshop we also provide you with the opportunity to interact with an IB expert, consultant and school visitor where you can ask questions and seek specialist advice.

Our official IB workshops are fully authorised and certified by the IB and following the conclusion of the workshop you will be sent an official Certificate of Attendance which may be used for authorisation or evaluation purposes.

TIMINGS

DAY 1 08:30 – 08:55 (UK time) pre-workshop set up meeting on ZOOM
  08:55 – 09:00 BREAK
  09:00 – 13:30 WORKSHOP inc. 30 mins of breaks
DAY 2 09:00 – 13:30 WORKSHOP inc. 30 mins of breaks
DAY 3 09:00 – 13:30 WORKSHOP inc. 30 mins of breaks

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I attend?

    All IBICUS virtual workshops will be delivered using ZOOM Sign up now for your free ZOOM BASIC account.

    Access to virtual workshops will be by invitation link only. This link must not be shared with others.

    The invitation link to your workshop will be sent to you by your workshop leader 2-3 days before your workshop starts. Please check your spam folder if you have not received the link, before you contact admin@ibicus.org.uk

  • What do I need?

    You will need a laptop or desktop computer sufficiently well connected to WIFI to run Zoom and a good internet connection throughout the workshop. The workshop will not be recorded and cannot be provided at a later stage if you are unable to connect during any or all of the workshop.

    Please ensure that you have everything you need for the duration of each session before you start including your laptop charger, mobile phone (set to silent), pen and paper, water and anything else that you might need.

  • Do I get a certificate?

    These workshops are fully authorised and certified by the IBO and our virtual workshops are delivered by experts who are fully trained by the IB. You must attend all sessions to receive your certificate. Your certificate will be emailed to you after the workshop.

  • What should I expect?

    During the workshop there will be large group activity and discussion, small group activity and discussion (using the ZOOM Breakout Rooms feature where your workshop leader will “send” you to a virtual room with other participants for a short period of time) and individual activity.

  • Are there any breaks?

    Yes, there will be 30 minutes of breaks during the 4.5 hours each day.

  • Will I get a timetable?

    Will I get a timetable? Yes. Your workshop leader will send you an Agenda with the schedule for each day so that you know when the breaks will fall.

  • Your settings

    We ask that you keep your video on throughout the workshop but your audio off unless you wish to speak. This avoids everyone hearing things going on in your background! If you wish, you can change your background, adding a virtual background so that other participants cannot see the room that you are in.  

  • Will it be recorded?

    No element of any virtual workshop may be recorded or captured in any way or shared with anyone outside of the workshop. The workshop leader will not share any recorded videos of the workshop with you.

  • What happens if I can’t attend?

    If you cannot attend the workshop and give us at least 48 hours’ notice before the workshop, you can swap someone else in in your place at a cost of £50. If you (or your replacement) do not attend the workshop for any reason, we cannot offer a refund or deferred place on another workshop.

  • What happens if I lose connectivity?

    IBICUS cannot be held responsible for any loss of connectivity. We strongly advise participants to locate themselves in the most suitable place with the most reliable WIFI connection for the workshops. We also suggest that you should be able to hotspot to a mobile phone and/or have an alternative location e.g. your place of work or a local café or hotel with good WIFI connection.

Authorised to run official IB teacher training programmes since 2003, IBICUS is one of the leading IB Professional Development providers in the world.

We train thousands of teachers each year from hundreds of countries, bringing teachers and experts together to learn, develop skills and ideas and to discuss burning issues.

DOWNLOAD WORKSHOPS CALENDAR
demo certificate

All of our official IB workshops are fully authorised and certified by the IBO as well as attended by IB expert Field Reps who are available to answer any questions

During your workshop we also provide you with the opportunity to interact with an IB expert, consultant and school visitor where you can ask questions and seek specialist advice.