ISD MYP Handbook

Learning Principles

Learners at the Centre

Learners and learning are at the heart of ISD. Learners explore and inquire about the world around them, they take ownership of their learning and apply it to real-life situations. At ISD, we learn in a variety of ways to promote deep understanding, self-awareness, and transferable skills.

Learning Through Collaboration

Learning is a social process. Collaborative learning approaches have clear benefits for achievement as well as a positive impact on behavioral and affective learning outcomes. Teaching at ISD is focused on effective teamwork and collaboration in order to facilitate the development of social skills. 

International Mindedness

As an international community, we at ISD recognise the importance of learning to value ‘other’ and to celebrate difference. To be able to recognize differences in others, one has to be self-aware. International mindedness is developed when students are able to recognize that the perspective of others is an equally complex synthesis of culture, interests, and abilities. 

Appropriate Challenge 

All learners must be continually challenged at an appropriate level in order to grow beyond their existing capacity. Learners at ISD challenge themselves and take risks in a safe and supportive environment. Learning activities are learner centered and support is differentiated according to need.

Assessment for Learning

To best facilitate learning, learning outcomes should be clear. Formative assessment should be substantial, frequent, and in an authentic context. The knowledge gained should be promptly fed back to the learner and utilised to inform direction and practice in the learning environment.

Making Connections

Making connections is an ability that helps learners to build on their prior experiences to further construct knowledge and make meaning of the world around them. It provides opportunities for deepening the understanding of concepts and skills. It helps build an understanding of the relationships between various disciplines and theories.