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5 Things You Should Know About the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP)
5 Things You Should Know About the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP)
1. The International Baccalaureate’s second programme
The IB MYP was adopted by the International Baccalaureate in 1994. It is designed to be a flexible curriculum for middle-level learners aged 11 to 16. This programme is a succession of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). In 2014, the MYP was reviewed and re-launched to meet the demands of a new generation of students and educators. The MYP is now offered by over 1,300 schools in 600 countries across the globe.
2. Develops students’ understanding in different contexts
The MYP aims to develop students’ understanding of what they are learning using three contexts. Firstly, approaches to learning (ATL) helps students learn how to learn and improve skills in research, critical thinking, communication and self-management. Key and related concepts are introduced in each subject to encourage students to explore complex ideas that matter. Next, students understand their common humanity and the importance of taking care of the planet through global contexts.
3. Comprises eight subject groups
There are eight subject groups in the MYP which are Language Acquisition, Language & Literature, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical & Health Education, and Design. Similar to the PYP, students have to make connections between academic subjects through interdisciplinary study. Each year, students engage in at least one collaborative project that includes at least two subject groups. Students may take courses from six subject groups in Years 4 and 5 to meet their individual learning needs.
4. Optional assessment at the end of the programme
The MYP culminates in a compulsory personal long-term project by all Year 5 students. Other than this project, schools have the option to implement the MYP e-Assessment. The e-Assessment acts as additional verification of a student’s achievements. It also can be used as a tool to measure the effectiveness of the MYP programme in a school. The e-Assessment is conducted through ePortfolios, coursework or on-screen examinations depending on which subject is being tested. No papers are used during the e-Assessment, making it an environmentally friendly assessment method.
5. Prepares students for IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) or Career-related Programme (CP)
Students who successfully complete the MYP have the skills and mind-set to take on IB’s pre-university programmes which are the IBDP and CP. The IBDP is well-known for being a challenging pre-university programme. The MYP moulds students into independent and inquisitive learners who know how to make connections between their studies and the real world. Therefore, MYP students have a higher chance of adapting in school cultures where they motivated to learn and ready to take on global challenges.
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