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 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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.