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1 – 10 of over 1000The purpose of this paper is to explore how elite International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) schools in China function as a channel for international student mobility to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how elite International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) schools in China function as a channel for international student mobility to leading universities around the world.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve this, the authors conducted a mixed-methods study combining quantitative analysis of 1,622 students’ university destinations and qualitative analysis of interview data from five high performing and high tuition fee IBDP schools in China.
Findings
Results indicate that the IBDP in China can be conducive to a form of “elite international student mobility” for some students with 30 percent of participants attending one of the top 50 ranked universities globally. As an explanation, interview data points to the strong reputation of the program, the provision of structured opportunities for students to demonstrate “additional skills,” and the abundant resources of elite schools.
Originality/value
The authors provide a critical discussion about the implications of the IBDP’s function for “elite international student mobility” in connection with social contexts surrounding these international International Baccalaureate schools in China. In so doing, the discussion tackles two issues from a critical perspective: the role elite international schools in accelerating educational inequalities and challenges to authentic learning experience when elite schools play the “university admissions game.”
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International mindedness (IM) is a core element of International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Implementation of IM varies with the type of international school and where the IB…
Abstract
Purpose
International mindedness (IM) is a core element of International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Implementation of IM varies with the type of international school and where the IB school is situated. This article seeks to understand the tensions that three teachers experienced while teaching the IB Diploma Program history curriculum.
Design/methodology/approach
For this study, three IB teachers examined their experiences teaching the history curriculum. This article offers relevant research on the difficulties in implementing IM and the following tensions: (1) situating the IB curriculum; (2) with hegemonic privilege and (3) in high-stakes testing.
Findings
IM can be integrated into the history curriculum to make the history curriculum relevant for the global community. While each interviewee enjoys teaching in the IB program and believes the IB history curriculum offers opportunity for IM, they also feel the history curriculum would benefit from modification. Each interviewee's points of view bring a relevancy and an authenticity for why tensions exist when teaching IB diploma history.
Originality/value
There is a gap of research in how and to what extent teachers implement IM into the IB high school history curriculum. Further, teachers' views regarding the IB history curriculum and whether the history curriculum facilitates one's teaching IM is largely anecdotal. Thus, this study is unique in its offering three interviews by IB high school history teachers on IM and the tensions they feel when teaching about and attempting to implement IM.
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P.M.C. Leggate and J.J. Thompson
Due to increasing interest in school development planning, improvement and effectiveness, more schools are gaining greater control over their own school management. Argues that…
Abstract
Due to increasing interest in school development planning, improvement and effectiveness, more schools are gaining greater control over their own school management. Argues that school development plans should provide an operational structure with a clearly identified direction and priorities. Focuses on the problem of planning within the international school context and investigates specific objectives via a survey. Results confirmed that long‐term planning is valued by heads of international schools and that staff development is integral to planning and implementing strategies.
Ecosophy focuses on the broad and deep connections we all share; the relationships within, among, and between social processes, economies, ideologies, materialities, and living…
Abstract
Purpose
Ecosophy focuses on the broad and deep connections we all share; the relationships within, among, and between social processes, economies, ideologies, materialities, and living systems.
Methodology/approach
In order to bring ecosophical issues to the fore, I draw on a pedagogy of the glocal: a pedagogy informed by an awareness of, and aiming to create an awareness of, the ways that global trajectories intersect with local practices.
Findings
I analyze my own experiences using glocality as a pedagogy in several online courses for graduate students. As part of these courses, we worked toward an awareness and activism informed by both glocal understandings and ecosophic commitments.
Research implications
This research offers new ways to think about the commitments that are necessary for online learning in teacher education to move forward. Specifically that ecosophy can be applied to a variety of new problems in teacher education.
Originality/value
This chapter’s unique approach models thinking with theory in online education. It also offers a valuable underused way to integrate technology and pedagogy through shared commitments.
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International schools are a growing class of educational institution. It has been suggested that few schools of this type have a marketing plan whilst research into development…
Abstract
Purpose
International schools are a growing class of educational institution. It has been suggested that few schools of this type have a marketing plan whilst research into development planning showed that few had a long‐range plan. This paper aims to investigate these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper deals with a survey of 32 international schools in 22 different countries. The public relations practitioner in each was questioned as to the nature of the marketing planning process.
Findings
Half of the schools had a marketing plan. Few had a one‐year one, and few had a cyclical one with stages. Several had dispensed with such a plan. The major aim of marketing planning was to attract more students. There was little evidence of it being a strategic process. Few schools involved the whole school body.
Research limitations/implications
This involved a small‐scale survey of international schools at a time when student numbers were high. This survey failed to take into account the growth of this type of school in mainland China.
Practical implications
It is suggested that perhaps some international schools might focus more on non‐rational planning and scenario‐building techniques. Making more contact with the local community might also be beneficial as a strategic marketing aim.
Originality/value
This paper furthers the understanding of the nature and organizational culture of international schools. It builds upon earlier research into development planning in this type of school.
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