The Jacobs Foundation (JF) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) are joining forces to develop two research projects that cultivate curiosity and creativity. The projects are inspired by the attributes of the IB learner profile.
Image by Liisa Sorsa for Dpict
Over the past year, a robust collaboration has been established between the Jacobs Foundation (JF) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). This collaboration will generate two research projects, based on the IB learner profile attributes. The first project of this partnership aims to create a prototype IB learner profile mastery transcript (LPMT) and the second study seeks to identify and share promising practices that support the development of creativity and curiosity skills in IB classrooms.
The Jacobs Foundation and the IB have come together with two prominent scientific partners to bring this innovative project to life. The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) will be developing the LPMT and the Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment (OUCEA) will conduct research on promising practices in the classrooms of six IB schools internationally.
A basis for this effort is provided by the IB learner profile—a set of 21st-century skills and competences. Creativity and curiosity skills are aligned with the learner profile attributes inquirers, thinkers and communicators. For this reason, creativity and curiosity skills are not only significant for the process of learning but are also key drivers for the holistic development of the student.
The LPMT project will develop and trial instruments to monitor and measure creativity and curiosity skills to construct a prototype LP mastery transcript. As part of this project, the prototype will be implemented in IB classrooms to document and communicate learner skill development and progression in relevant LP attributes. Furthermore, this research could help equip students to follow their progression, to engage and reflect and to become agents of their own learning. It is envisioned that the LPMT will provide higher academic institutions with a holistic view of a student’s abilities. Lastly, an accompanying suite of resources for teachers in implementing the LPMT will be developed.
The Promising Practices project will identify and evaluate existing promising practices in IB classrooms that contribute to curiosity and creativity skill development. These promising practices will then be validated and shared more broadly. Associated school implementation materials will also be produced.
Spent the past 3 days with scholars and educators around the world brainstorming how to define/measure #curiosity & #creativity for IB programs. Feeling energized, inspired, and Zoom’d out! Thanks @iborganization & @Foundation_JF for prioritizing curiosity in schools!
— Emily Grossnickle Peterson (@emgpete) October 1, 2020
To celebrate this collaboration and both research projects, JF held a virtual symposium from 29 September to 1 October. Fifty global curiosity and creativity experts from leading universities around the world, LEGO and IB educators and school heads, including current serving members of the IB Heads Council, attended this event.
A director from Harvard’s Project Zero, served as moderator of the event. Her work with Project Zero was also featured in a workshop-style breakout session. During the event, graphic scribes and a poet helped participants define and explore curiosity and creativity.
Over time, the IB and the JF will continue to grow their partnership and research by expanding the LPMT project to include a wider range of the IB learner profile related skills.
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