Do you speak IB?

IB - a Danish dray horse at the Carlsberg brewery in Copenhagen who was born in 1985.

IB also stands for International Baccalaureate

Like most organisations the IB has generated its own jargon. People familiar with the IB probably use the jargon without thinking but just before it was replaced in November 2017 by My IB a teacher on the Online Curriculum Centre (OCC) discussion board asked what IA and EE meant. It made me realise that teachers new to the IB probably do experience problems with understanding because they do not know the IB 'language'. I wonder if even all experienced teachers are familiar with abbreviations such as AID or CALP?

 The following are some of the commonly used abbreviations and phrases used regularly by the IB.

AHLAdditional Higher Level

Material on the syllabus required by HL students but not by SL students
 

AIDAgency, Information & DesignThe three concepts that link technology use to the ideals, approaches to learning (ATL) and approaches to teaching in the IB programmes.
 
ATL

Approaches to Teaching and Learning
 

This is now an integral part of the IB diploma diagram.
CALPCognitive Academic Language Proficiency Even though students may be fluent in 'everyday' English we, as teachers need to develop their ability to understand and use the academic language of our subject.
 
CASCreativity, Activity, ServiceAlong with TOK and the EE, CAS forms the core part of the IB Diploma Programme.
 
CEChief ExaminerAn academic (usually a university lecturer) with the overall responsibility for setting and marking the external examinations. He/she cannot be a practising IB teacher. The tenure is for five years.
 
Chemistry guideA publication to help in the planning, teaching and examination of the subject.
 
Chemistry syllabusA detailed list of what can be examined at the end of the two year Diploma Programme. It is not necessarily a teaching order.
 
CoreHas two different IB meanings. It can mean the material on the chemistry syllabus required to be covered by both SL and HL students or it can mean that part of the IB Diploma Programme that contains the EE, TOK and CAS.
 
CPIB Career-related Programme
(formerly IBCC)
 		A two-year programme to provide a route to employment, apprenticeships or to further/higher education.
DCEDeputy Chief ExaminerThere are several deputy chief examiners for chemistry. They may be practising IB teachers. The tenure is for five years.
 
DPDiploma ProgrammeA two year pre-university course
 
EEExtended EssayA 40 hour /4000 word essay in an IB subject (or World Studies) which together with Theory of Knowledge makes up the maximum of three bonus points as part of the IB core.
 
ESLEnglish as a Second LanguageExaminers and teachers need to be aware that many of the students who learn chemistry in English and who sit the external examinations in English do not have English as their first language
 
Form 4/ICCSIndividual Candidate Cover SheetA form to accompany the individual scientific investigation which ialso contains space for a 50 word description by the student about their Group 4 Project. One completed form is required for each student taught. From May 2019 this is retained by the school in case the IB asks to see it.
 
Form 4PSOWGroup 4 Practical Scheme of WorkA form listing details of all the practicals carried out during the 40 h (SL) or 60h (HL) two year practical programme. One completed form is required for each class taught. This is retained by the school in case the IB asks to see it.
 
G2A feedback form available from My IB to be completed after each examination paper.
 
Grade descriptorA statement detailing the knowledge and level of understanding required to achieve a particular grade on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). The grade descriptors are available from the programme resources section of My IB.
 
Group 4The Sciences (one of the six academic areas making up the IB Diploma Programme).
 
Handbook of procedures for the Diploma Programme
 		(formerly known as the Vade Mecum) A yearly publication principally for IB Coordinators detailing all the rules, regulations and procedures for the relevant examination session.
 
HLHigher LevelInvolves 240 hours of study in one subject. Students take three subjects at HL and three subjects at SL.
 
IAInternal Assessment
 		Refers to the 10 hour Individual Scientific Investigation and is worth 20% of the final marks.
IBENThe IB Educator NetworkA network to ensure that the IB provides a high-quality experience in classrooms and schools. Educators in the network can become workshop leaders, examiners, curriculum developers, authorization visitors and consultant visitors, etc.
 
IBISThe IB Information SystemYour IB coordinator has access to this online system and it is used to register students and input predicted grades etc.
 
ICTInformation and Communication Technology
 		Chemistry students need to address five different areas of ICT during their practical scheme of work.
IMInternational-mindedness
 
LPLearner ProfileA list of ten attributes befitting a life-long learner.
 
May sessionApplies to schools mainly in the Northern Hemisphere whose school year starts in August/September. The final examinations are in May of the second year.
 
My IBYour secure gateway to all your essential IB resources, applications and communities.
 
MYP

Middle Years Programme
 

NOSNature of Science
 
November session

Applies to schools mainly in the Southern Hemisphere whose school year starts in JIB Docs (2) Teamary. The final examinations are in November of the second year.

OCCOnline Curriculum CentreThis is now defunct. It was replaced by My IB in 2017.
 
PRCProgramme Resource Centre

This is located on My IB and contains all the official material required (e.g. programme guide, data booklet etc.)

PYPPrimary Years Programme
 
SENSpecial Educational Needs
 

Student learning diversity in the classroom

SLStandard LevelInvolves 150 hours of study in one subject. Students take three subjects at SL and three subjects at HL.
 
SMSubject managerA paid full-time position. There are two chemistry SMs. The assessment SM is based in Cardiff, U.K. and the curriculum SM is based in The Hague, Netherlands.
 
TOKTheory of KnowledgeInvolves 100 hours of study and along with the EE and CAS forms part of the IB core.
 
TSM Teacher Support Material

Available on the OCC to help teachers deliver the course.
 

TZ1Time Zone 1Refers to mainly North America (USA and Canada). The May examinations are different to TZ2.
 
TZ2Time Zone 2

Refers mainly to the rest of the world apart from North America. The May examinations are different to TZ1.

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