Newsletter title- Month 2006

Mathematics SL

Mathematics within the Diploma Programme curriculum is unique in two ways. Firstly it is the only subject that all Diploma Programme students must take, choosing from three available programmes (?) . Secondly it is the only subject that has two standard level programmes(?), mathematics SL and mathematical studies SL.  (In fact there is a third, further mathematics SL, but it is a very small entry subject—64 candidates in May 2004, and can only be taken with HL mathematics.) Mathematical studies SL is designed for students with varied backgrounds and abilities and it develops skills required to cope with a technological society, with an emphasis on applying mathematics to real life situations.  Mathematics SL, until recently called mathematical methods SL, is intended to equip students with a mathematical basis that is sound enough to pursue  further studies in subjects such as economics, geography, chemistry and business. A recent survey revealed that some university engineering departments would see a good grade, 5 or higher, in mathematics SL as an entry qualification though others would not, insisting on mathematics HL from their applicants.  

Assessment
	Paper 1	1 hr 30 minutes	15 short questions	40% of total marks
	Paper 2	1 hr 30 minutes	5 extended questions	40% of total marks
	Portfolio	10 hours Two pieces of work	*An investigation *Mathematical modelling	20% hours of total marks

Syllabus	Topic		Time Allowance
	1	Algebra	8  hours
	2	Functions and equations	24 hours
	3	Circular functions and Trigonometry	16 hours
	4	Matrices	10 hours
	5	Vectors	16 hours
	6	Statistics and Probability	30 hours
	7	Calculus	36 hours

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International Baccalaureate research unit

About the research unit and research within the International Baccalaureate

In recognition of the important role research plays in our understanding of the nature and practice of international education, the International

Baccalaureate research unit (IBRU) was established in May 2000 to develop and support research into the IB programmes and international education. This is implemented through research projects, collaboration with universities and international agencies, and the dissemination of research findings in international publications. IB Research Unit develops links with researchers in international education worldwide and supports research through a number of specific functions such as the International Education Research Database, the production of IB Research Notes and an extensive section of pages on the IB website.

IB Research Notes

IB Research Notes is a quarterly publication of IB Research Unit and provides information related to international education research, which will be of interest to the International Baccalaureate and international education research communities. Each publication can be found on the IB Research Unit web pages. For example, Research Notes Volume 4, Issue 1 (2004) presents a symposium of commentators from UK universities and authorised IB Diploma Programme schools that responded to a report by Colin Jenkins who enquired into the perceptions of UK higher education institutions of the IB Diploma Programme.

This and other issues of IB Research Notes is freely available from the IB Research Unit web pages.

International Education Research Database

The database is a free open access service to researchers and is a collaborative effort by a range of different parties interested in promoting the field of international education. A wide range of resources and methods has been utilised for gathering the bibliography. However, as it is a referencing resource and not an online library, it does not hold the actual publications. This exciting and challenging project aims to define the field of international education and provide a valuable resource to a range of researchers.

Practitioner Research Project

The aims of this project are to look at ways in which practitioners can best be supported in research and how they can be enabled to participate in research in a more effective way. Primarily the main focus is a study of the research needs of those working in schools, be they teachers, administrators or support staff.

Contact details

IB research unit
Department of Education
University of Bath
Claverton Down
Bath, BA2 7AY

Tel: +44 1225 383279
Fax: +44 1225 383277

Email: IBRU@ibo.org

Website: http://www.ibo.org/programmes/research

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How the IB helped to prepare me for university

By a student in the second year of their English degree

Even after as little as two years away, school already seems a very long time ago. What has continued to resonate at university however, are some of the skills the IB undoubtedly provided me with. During the first two years of my degree I have been expected to produce regular essays, be able to justify points of view within tutorials, take effective notes from lectures, and spend a lot of time working on my own. It is not the case that disciplined time management would not have been engrained from following the A-level system, but the IB especially, if subconsciously at the time, prepares its students for university by teaching them to take more responsibility for their own learning, and the ability to implement this effectively in tertiary education. Every week, for example, can be seen as writing an extended essay: for this the experience of spending time in the school library towards the end of the sixth form exploring a topic of personal interest proves invaluable on arrival at university. Just as the operation of the IB is grounded in interacting with and critically absorbing the points of view of others, the university tutorial and seminar system also relies on the ability to talk and reason effectively. This can be seen to stem principally from the practice of discussion in theory of knowledge. Certainly within the context of an English degree, being taught how to talk about literature for oral assessments can easily be seen to convert into at least attempting to hold one’s own in a tutorial. Not least, the IB foreshadows  university study by engendering the healthy expectation of working hard (although this is not always kept to!).

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Useful Links

IB university information at

http://www.ibo.org/universities/

This page (once you register) gives you access to:

• Course syllabuses and guides to subjects
• Recent examinations
• Markschemes
• Diploma Programme students' results (if requested by the student)

IB publications can be purchased at

http://store.ibo.org

IB information from HE institutions around the world

http://www.ibo.org/ibo/index.cfm?page=/ibo/services/universities&language=EN&uniname=University%20of%20Bath&unicountry=U%2EK%2E&method=display

And a plea

Please keep updated your institution’s information regarding the IB in the IB website

http://www.ibo.org/ibo/index.cfm?page=/ibo/services/universities&language=EN&uniname=University%20of%20Bath&unicountry=U%2EK%2E&method=display

 

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