International Schools Blog

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is an important part of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme, providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. In this article, IB expert Ric Sims shares his first five top tips for teaching TOK in your classroom.

The summer months of 2020 so far haven’t brought with them the deep respite from the COVID-19 pandemic many researchers had thought was likely. To help alleviate the strain, Pearson has partnered with Goodwall to launch a mid-year programme for young people.

2020 is the year in which the world will measure itself in terms of “life before COVID-19 and life after”. It’s the lens through which people in this year’s Global Learner Survey are viewing their lives and their experience with education. And the consensus from learners? The world of education and work has forever changed in profound ways.

It is no exaggeration to say that teachers had an extremely tough time during the school closures this year, however, many found that teaching online created professional development opportunities they hadn’t expected. In fact, over half of teachers surveyed by the Centre for Education and Youth said that they feel that the new skills they developed while teaching online will be a useful addition to their skillset in the new school year.

Earlier this year, the education system was turned upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic leading to lockdowns across the world. Schools were forced to adapt in a matter of days, making a wholesale shift to distance learning.

The emergence of COVID-19 and its rapid spread around the globe ensured that the academic year of 2019-2020 is one that we will never forget. Lockdowns across the world meant that schools had to adapt their entire curriculums to distance learning in a matter of days. Schools rose to the challenge and teachers did admirably. However, there are still many lessons to be learned and things which could be improved.

Pearson is a learning company. As well as providing qualifications and teaching and learning resources to schools all around the world, we work closely with experts in education to understand the best approach to teaching. To help you in this difficult time, here are some suggestions to help you with homeschooling.

Did you know that after every Pearson Edexcel exams series, we offer a paid-for provisional results sending service for universities outside the UK? We first piloted a DHL-fulfilled scheme in July 2018 and have now launched it to all students. This means students can ask Pearson to send paper copies of their Candidate Statement Provisional Results (CSPRs) to their desired university anywhere in the world in order to formalise their admission.

The transition between the key stages – from Key Stage 3 to GCSE then A level in the British curriculum – has always been crucial for students, including those studying the IB Diploma programme. Successfully switching between these exam systems requires students to work ever more independently and grapple with much harder work.

We’re in an exciting age of digital revolution. Like the industrial age before it, the information age is characterised by innovations disrupting ‘business as usual’. Technology, to date has impacted the lives of people more than any single leader or politician. Smart watches that record health parameters; cars that drive themselves; sensors that measure efficiency of irrigation systems, technology has just been making life better everywhere.