Introduction
In today’s globalised world, cultivating compassionate and empathetic global citizens has become increasingly important. The PYP framework developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization recognizes this need and focuses on developing international-mindedness and global awareness among young learners. The PYP is a learner-centred transdisciplinary framework that acknowledges the unique needs of early learners aged 3 to 12 years.
The PYP curriculum Whitefield incorporates concepts and skills from eight subject groups into five essential elements – knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action. At the heart of the PYP is the development of the IB learner profile, which outlines ten attributes of internationally-minded students including inquirers, knowledgeable thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective.
This article explores the crucial role played by the learner profile in shaping global citizens and its integration across the PYP syllabus Sarjapur. It examines how the learner profile attributes are cultivated and assessed to encourage dispositions of compassion and responsibility in young learners.
Importance of Cultivating Global Citizens
There is a dire need to foster understanding and empathy between people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. A globally conscious education prepares students to engage ethically and productively in an interconnected world. It enables them to see issues from different perspectives, appreciate cultural diversity, make informed decisions on global challenges and take responsible action.
Cultivating global competence and international-mindedness in the early years lays the foundation for developing citizens who can build a more just, peaceful and sustainable future. The IB learner profile embedded in the PYP framework precisely aims to achieve this by facilitating the development of attributes recognized as vital for young citizens of the world.
Understanding the Learner Profile
The ten attributes outlined in the IB learner profile embody the ideals of international-mindedness. Inquirers develop their natural curiosity through active learning, thinkers use critical and creative thinking skills to explore ideas, and communicators express themselves effectively and work cooperatively. Principled individuals act ethically, open-minded learners understand and appreciate diverse viewpoints. The caring profile shows empathy, compassion and respect for others. Balanced learners lead fulfilled, healthy lives and reflective individuals assess their learning to improve continuously. Risk-takers champion novelty and resilience.
The profile serves as a common language and common expectations amongst learners and teachers to promote these attributes. It moves beyond academic success to focus on the whole child’s development as an international citizens and establishes standards across the affective, cognitive and physical domains.
Cultivating Global Citizenship through the Learner Profile
The PYP leverages the learner profile extensively to nurture global citizenship at a young age. Teachers integrate real-world issues, incorporate perspectives from diverse cultures and encourage collaboration across borders through projects and investigations. For example, an inquiry into environmental sustainability could explore causes, effects and solutions globally by corresponding with international partners. Learners profile attributes like open-mindedness helps them consider various viewpoints sensitively on such issues.
Community engagement and service-learning projects allow learners to identify community needs, reflect on their own privileges, and take positive action locally and internationally. Caring attributes are reinforced as learners partner with organisations supporting disadvantaged groups across the world. International exchanges and cultural celebrations cultivate curiosity, respect and understanding of global diversity.
Through transdisciplinary units, learners use their communication skills to raise awareness of global topics and develop an understanding of how their daily choices link to the global context. Commitment to social justice issues and advocacy for human rights exemplify principled attributes. Digital citizenship and safe participation in online communities are emphasised to harness technology for global empowerment. The focus on action and reflection in the PYP nurtures learners’ agency and commitment as active global citizens.
Integration of the Learner Profile in the Curriculum
The IB learner profile underpins all planning and pedagogical practices within the PYP framework. It is incorporated systematically across the five essential elements of PYP.
Inquirer attribute is supported through concept-driven, transdisciplinary units of inquiry that kindle curiosity. Learners take the driver’s seat in planning inquiries and determining their knowledge needs. An open-minded disposition is developed through multi-perspective inquiries that honour cultural, social and intellectual diversity globally.
Effective planning encourages collaboration between learners, engages them in authentic real-world tasks and provides opportunities for original thought – cultivating thinkers and communicators. Integrating social-emotional learning and well-being alongside academics facilitates balanced growth.
Subject group frameworks and conceptual understandings promote global awareness and international-mindedness. Language development emphasises compassion, comprehension and nuanced self-expression of ideas -strengthening caring attributes. Mathematical concepts are studied in meaningful, real contexts that require principled decision-making and risk-taking.
Assessment for learning embraces diverse ways of knowing, emphasises formative feedback, and encourages learners’ agency and self-reflection to improve continuously – epitomising reflective attributes. Approaches to learning skills like organisation, affective skills and research support learners to become lifelong self-directed learners and responsible global digital citizens.
Assessment and Reflection
The learner profile is assessed both formally and informally using varied student-centred strategies throughout the PYP. Formative assessments such as student-led conferences, exhibitions, portfolios and student self-assessments aid reflection on profile attributes development. Peer and self-assessments deepen understanding of success criteria and global perspectives.
PYP exhibitions provide opportunities for learners to authentically showcase their understanding and take action on real-world issues. Through exhibition inquiries, caring attributes are demonstrated via social action. Collaborative digital portfolios allow learners to document, curate and share their journeys to strengthen communication and principled attributes.
Reflection is an integral part of the learning process in PYP. Teachers and learners collaboratively determine profile attribute focus each term and monitor growth through reflection and student agency. Parent conferences facilitate three-way reflection to support learners’ holistic growth. The PYP culminates in the Diploma Programme that builds on this foundation to nurture compassionate young adults and global leaders of tomorrow.
Conclusion
The PYP framework effectively leverages the learner profile approach to instill global citizenship dispositions at a young age. Through its interconnected transdisciplinary inquiries, emphasis on international mindedness and focus on reflection and action, PYP nurtures attributes recognized worldwide as essential for engaged world citizens. OWIS Bangalore is an IB continuum school that seamlessly implements this vision of the PYP to cultivate learners with principled character, who are caring, balanced and committed to creating a more just, sustainable and peaceful future.
