The Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a course of study designed to meet the educational requirements of students aged between 11 and 16 years. The curriculum may be taught as an entity in itself, but it is flexible enough to allow the demands of national, regional or local legislation to be met.
The MYP has been devised to guide students in their search for a sense of belonging in the world around them. It also aims to help students to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to participate actively and responsibly in a changing and increasingly interrelated world. This means teaching them to become independent learners who can recognize relationships between school subjects and the world outside, and learn to combine relevant knowledge, experience and critical thinking to solve authentic problems.
The eight subject groups provide a broad, traditional foundation of knowledge, while the pedagogical devices used to transmit this knowledge aim to increase the students’ awareness of the relationships between subjects. Students are encouraged to question and evaluate information critically, to seek out and explore the links between subjects, and to develop an awareness of their own place in the world.
The emphasis is on the fluidity of the curricular framework and the interrelatedness of the subjects. Aspects of the areas of interaction are addressed naturally through the distinct disciplines. In particular, the framework is flexible enough to allow a school to include other subjects not determined by the IBO but which may be required by state or national authorities.
The overall philosophy of the programme is expressed through three fundamental concepts that support and strengthen all areas of the curriculum. These concepts are: Intercultural Awareness, Holistic Learning, & Communication.
Holistic Learning
Holistic learning emphasizes the links between the disciplines, providing a global view of situations and issues. Students should become more aware of the relevance of their learning, and come to see knowledge as an interrelated whole. Students should see the cohesion and the complimentary nature of various fields of study, but this must not be done to the detriment of learning within each of the disciplines, which retain their own objectives and methodology.
Intercultural Awareness
Intercultural awareness is concerned with developing students’ attitudes, knowledge and skills as they learn about their own and others’ social and national cultures. By encouraging students to consider multiple perspectives, intercultural awareness not only fosters tolerance and respect, but may also lead to empathy.
Communication
Communication is fundamental to learning, as it supports inquiry and understanding, and allows student reflection and expression. The MYP places particular emphasis on language acquisition and allows students to explore multiple forms of expression.
International Education
The International Baccalaureate Organization chooses to define "international education" according to the following criteria.
Developing citizens of the world in relation to culture, language and learning to live together.
Building and reinforcing students’ sense of identity and cultural awareness.
Fostering students’ recognition and development of universal human values.
Stimulating curiosity and inquiry in order to foster a spirit of discovery and enjoyment of learning.
Equipping students with the skills to learn and acquire knowledge, individually or collaboratively, and to apply these skills and knowledge accordingly across a broad range of areas
Providing international content while responding to local requirements and interests.
Encouraging diversity and flexibility in teaching methods.
Providing appropriate forms of assessment and international benchmarking.
What are the five areas of interaction?
The five areas of interaction are:
Approaches To Learning enables students to take responsibility for his/her own learning, thereby developing an awareness of how they learn best.
Community and Service allows students to take an active part in the communities in which they live.
Human Ingenuity allows students to explore the processes and products of creativity.
Environments develops students’ awareness of their interdependence with the environment and their role and responsibility in caring for it.
Health and Social Education encourages students to develop and lead complete and healthy lives--physically, socially, emotionally and intelligently.
IBO Website: www.ibo.org
MYP Resources
The School’s Guide to MYP – IBO (Schools Guide MYP)
The MYP Basis for Practice Guide – IBO (MYP Basis for Practice)
AIS Resources
MYP Handbook for Parents and Students – AIS (2008-2009) ( MYP )