IB vs GCSE exam

warrrren

In fact, only the IBD can be useful. There is no need to apply accreditation for PYP and MYP.  It is just wasting of money and resources. Those schools which strike for PYP and MYP accreditation justbecause they want to use it as a marketing tool to attract more applicants.

By the way, an accredited IB school doesn't mean that it can offer ahigh quality of education. It only means it follows the curriculum andrules set by IBO.  Like all the local schools are accredited by EB butit doesn't mean all of them can offer a high quality of education.

I agree to the 2nd part of the statement above.  Absolutely.  The 1st part is however nothing but a generalisation of a completely biased view.  There are many ways to get things done.  Doing PYP, MYP and DP is one.

Even the IBD system has a lot of deficiencies. It only suitables for those all-round students and cannot cater for those students who have special talent in either science or humanity.  The limiation in studying at most two sciences or two humanity subjects at high level may limit the choice of applying some curriculums in some univerisities.

There is a ton of flexibility built into IB diploma grouping of subjects.  For examples, an "elective" under group 6 can be replaced by another class from group 2, 3, or 4, or computer science from Group 5.  Group 4 - experimental sciences - has quite a number of subjects in the group (such as physics, chemistry, biology, environmental systems, ecosystems & societies, design technology, etc.) and it is up to the students to choose one or two from the group.  Likewise, group 3 is a very large group.  There are subjects like philosophy, economics, business management, psychology, social anthropology, information technology in a global society, geography and history in it.  The traditional arts vs science way of differentiation is too limited for IB DP.

warrrren

By the way, like almon, I don't want to enter into a A level v IBDP debate.  Speaking for myself, I tend to think that it is too early to talk about specialised "high level" teaching at middle school level.

warrrren

My dearest Christf,

Is what I said that difficult to understand?  I said,

The 1st part is however nothing but a generalisation of a completely biased view. There are many ways to get things done. Doing PYP, MY P and DP is one."

I said that in response to your statement that

In fact, only the IBD can be useful. There is no need to apply accreditation for PYP and MYP.  It is just wasting of money and resources. Those schools which strike for PYP and MYP accreditation just because they want to use it as a marketing tool to attract more applicants.

Care to prove any of the highlighted parts to show that your statement is not a biased one?

You can study the IBD without going through the PYP & MYP, right?

Of course.  No point asking.  But, how does this begins to help prove that all those schools which strike for PYP and MYP accreditation just because they want to use it as a marketing tool?  Does it follows that PYP and MYP are not useful?Does your statement apply to those prestigious MYP schools as well?

[ 本文章最後由 warrrren 於 08-5-12 08:44 編輯 ]

warrrren

Besides, some curriculums in some universities accept at least 3 but not only 2 science subjects studying at "high level".

Sounds like you really knows it. Perfect. I always stand to be educated and love to learn something new. Care to enlighten us further and give us some examples? Which universities and which particular areas of studies do not accept what particular combination of group 3, group 4 and group 5 under IBDP? Say does Imperial requires Physics Chemistry and Biology from applicants to its Medical School?

[ 本文章最後由 warrrren 於 08-5-12 08:12 編輯 ]

warrrren

Fair enough, matthewdad.

warrrren

The Tariff published by UCAS not long ago may be of interest to the readers here.  See http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables/ for details.

warrrren

原文章由 matthewdad 於 08-5-13 15:13 發表
It is difficult to understand the report.
Can you give us some example ...
How much points will get if get AAB or BBC  (says)in GCE A Level Exam?

I am no expert but here are some pointers.

First, see also this page: http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/

In your examples, the student who gets AAB scores 360, and the other student who gets BBC scores 280.  In reality, both students may score more because chances are that they (a) will take more than 3 subjects in A level, and (b) they may score some more marks for Advanced Supplementaries.

If you are seriously interested, you may have a look of this: http://www.ucas.com/website/documents/tariff/tariff_reports/ib.doc.  There are some interesting details in it.

[ 本文章最後由 warrrren 於 08-5-13 16:06 編輯 ]

warrrren

Come on, chrisf.  You surely do know what "1st part" and "2nd part" mean, don't you?  Do I have to use more colour and different fonts to make my message more readable to you?

You are entitled to your view that A is better than B.  I have no problem with that.  In fact, I will stand up to defend your right to your view if necessary.  What annoyed me is your statement that some schools do MYP and PYP only because they want to attract more applicants. No only is it a serious allegation, it is contemptuous of many hard working men and women, and many good schools worldwide.  A serious statement like this is, without proof and substantiation, worse than worthless.

warrrren

No matter what combinations and levels you choose, you cannot take 3 science subjects or 3 humanity subjects no matter what levels of those subjects !!!  Do you understand my point now?

Although it is going to be difficult, I will try my very best to understand your point. (I told you I am generous and patient, didn't I?)  Are you saying that IBO is at fault because it somehow fails to make DP more one-dimensional to take care of the special needs of the one-dimensional students?  If I understand you wrongly, it's my fault.  Your logic is beyond me.

In any event, as a matter of fact, IBO can be quite flexible.  For an example, student in Germany (and Belgium as well, if my memory serves me) who want to study aviation science in universities can do 3 science subjects.  There are more exceptions to the general grouping.  See the IBO's materials yourself for further information.

warrrren

Dear chrisf,

Are we that far apart?

I did not say that GCSE is bad; I did not say anything bad about GCSE + IBDP; I did not say MYP + DP is the only way to go; I did not say anything bad about schools that go the GCSE + DP way, did I?

My only issue with your statement is that it is contemptuous of many others.  It shows no respect for others.  And it reflects a somehow biased way that there is only one way to heaven.  It may well be that it is, strictly speaking, not necessary to go for PYP and MYP.  But, does not follow that schools doing PYP/MYP are not doing them for good causes?

B.R.
W
Still cannot understand why my answers to your posts brought out all these ugly yikes.

warrrren

原文章由 mattsmum 於 08-5-21 12:55 發表
on IB again:

for bilingual certificate, you need group 1 - chinese A1( = mother tongue with literature component) and group 2- english B ( = second language, no literature)/ or both as AI level.
...

This is correct.  But things can get a little more complicated.  There are other ways to get a billingual diploma.  For an example, doing language A English and writing an EE (extended essay) in Fench for a group 3 or group 4 subject.  See the the Vade Mecum of 2007, http://www.nonsensed.com/IB/Vade%20Mecum.pdf; see also http://school.vis.ac.at/esl/files/a/4%20Bilingualism%20in%20IB%20programmes%20final.doc.

For IB students in Hong Kong, a good command of English is almost a must.  Not only will they do English as a group 1 language subject, the majority of them will also do EE in English.  And, don't forget music investigation/theatre project/research comission papers for group 6 electives, which are likely to be written in English.

warrrren

原文章由 mattsmum 於 08-5-21 15:59 發表
... actually the IB coordinator said that some university are hesitate to accept chinese student taking lang. B HL in chinese, ( a bit as " not fair to other" attitude) as that is supposed for student learning this lang. for 4-5 years.

That's what I heard too.  Somehow I share the same concern - Achieving high proficiency in English is a piece of cake for a good student.  And, a good HK student should do well in Chinese as well.

warrrren

Well said father_ho.  Cheers.

warrrren

Sorry that I cannot contribute more.  Need to go now.  There are two elite first class ladies (No, it is not what you think. I am talking about my wife and my daughter) and a lovely meal waiting for me at the most elite top class first-tier prestigious and exclusive place.  And, I have to clear the mess of the most stupid dog which I keep as a marketing tool to foster the image of a kind humorous healthy dog loving guy.  Good day.

warrrren

原文章由 almom 於 08-5-21 21:17 發表
There is no single curriculum or no single school that would meet the needs of everyone. It is good that we are living in a place where there are so many choices. Local government subsidised schools,  ...

Thanks almon.  My thought exactly.  Your post saves me a lot of typing work (and I can't put it better).