Conceptual learning in the MYP
Conceptual understanding
A concept is a “big idea”—a principle or notion that is enduring, the significance of which goes beyond particular origins, subject matter, or place in time. Concepts represent the vehicle for students’ inquiry into the issues and ideas of personal, local and global significance, providing the means by which they can explore the essence of the sciences.
Concepts have an important place in the structure of knowledge that requires students and teachers to think with increasing complexity as they organize and relate facts and topics. Concepts express understanding that students take with them into lifelong adventures of learning. They help students to develop principles, generalizations and theories. Students use conceptual understanding as they solve problems, analyse issues, and evaluate decisions that can have an impact on themselves, their communities and the wider world.
In the MYP, conceptual understanding is framed by prescribed key and related concepts. Teachers must use these concepts to develop the curriculum. Schools may identify and develop additional concepts to meet local circumstances and curriculum requirements.
From: Sciences Guide (International Baccalaureate Organization 2014)
A concept is a “big idea”—a principle or notion that is enduring, the significance of which goes beyond particular origins, subject matter, or place in time. Concepts represent the vehicle for students’ inquiry into the issues and ideas of personal, local and global significance, providing the means by which they can explore the essence of the sciences.
Concepts have an important place in the structure of knowledge that requires students and teachers to think with increasing complexity as they organize and relate facts and topics. Concepts express understanding that students take with them into lifelong adventures of learning. They help students to develop principles, generalizations and theories. Students use conceptual understanding as they solve problems, analyse issues, and evaluate decisions that can have an impact on themselves, their communities and the wider world.
In the MYP, conceptual understanding is framed by prescribed key and related concepts. Teachers must use these concepts to develop the curriculum. Schools may identify and develop additional concepts to meet local circumstances and curriculum requirements.
From: Sciences Guide (International Baccalaureate Organization 2014)
