IB Educator Network (IBEN) Newsletter November 2010
In this newsletter you will find information on
What are Regional Professional Development IBEN Activities?
They include:- Regional workshops (for AEM-run workshops and PD provider workshops)
- In-School workshops (actively deployed for PYP and MYP, under construction for DP)
- (on-line workshops are managed by on-line workshop team in Cardiff)
What are Regional School Services IBEN Activities?
They include:- School Visits (pre-authorization, authorization, evaluation)
- Consultation (in the current and new process to be launched, also includes visits)
- Part A readers not for the moment
- DP exam visits
- DP evaluation readers
- CAS monitoring readers
- Progress report reviewers
News in AEM for 2010-11
PD - IBEN activities
- REGIS - On-line registration system for all PD regional workshops now stores your data. This means that you will no longer need to modify your personal details for each event – these will be displayed by default, with the option to change them for all events via the ‘Profile section’ of the system or per event, as needed.
Also, you will view with one ‘log-on’, all regional workshops you have been scheduled for - In-School workshops soon to be managed via REGIS. Schools will register their requests in REGIS and assigned workshop leaders will receive all communication related to their In-school workshops via REGIS.
- Starting 2011, In-School DP workshops will soon be available for schools. An In-school workshop is for 1-school staff only and for DP will only be available in category 3, e.g. Cat 3 TOK workshops, EE workshops etc. You will receive more information on these in the early part of 2011, but please do not hesitate to contact your AEM-IBEN team if you are interested to lead such activities.
- DP – Group 1&2 on-line training facility for all workshop leaders (for more please see: PD – On-line training for group 1&2 leaders) in preparation to upcoming curriculum changes.
School Services - IBEN activities
- ‘IB DOCS’ – on-line document storage system for all School Services IBEN activities. Documents will be uploaded here by regional office, visited school and IB Educators prior and after the event. Communication with IBEN and schools will take place through this on-line application. Please contact ibaem@ibo.org should you experience any difficulty with the use of this system.
- As of 1 January 2011, the IB will launch a new authorization and evaluation process for schools. The authorization process will apply to schools submitting application for candidacy as of 1 January 2011. Schools already in the authorization process follow existing guidelines. New evaluation documents will apply for evaluation visits and processes taking place as of 1 January 2012. An online training to up-date existing IBEN is planned to take place by December 2010. This will be communicated to all IBEN accordingly.
Important to consider at this stage:
- Publication of new documents on the OCC:
- 29 October: Authorization documents and Standards and Practices ( latter will apply for authorization in the new process as well)
- 30 November: publication of evaluation documents
- No more expense claims! For PD related IBEN activities, full payment (honorarium + flat rate) will be made as soon as the event has passed. For School Services related IBEN activities, full payment will be made as soon as you have submitted your report. (For more please read New! Flat Rates in AEM for IBEN)
- IBEN team to assist you in IBEN activities. (For more: NEW! IBEN Team in your AEM region)
All IBEN activities
Please do not hesitate to contact: ibaem.iben@ibo.org with any questions.)
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PD - Results & Comments on new workshop architecture & worldwide quality assurance framework
In the past, workshop leaders often felt it difficult to tend to the very diverse expectations which participants had regarding the level and content of the workshop they were attending.
Overwhelmingly, survey results and comments show us that participants and workshop leaders alike have felt that groups were well suited for the level of workshop they were attending.
We believe that much of this clarity has been achieved by the new global architecture and descriptions given to participants, but also through the clear session guidelines for workshop leaders which have been posted for all programmes to the WRC.
Initial results from the newly implemented World-wide Quality Assurance Framework
Survey Numbers
- Approximately 14,700 participant responses
- Over 1,400 leader responses
- Over 600 field representative responses
- Approximately 75 session observer responses
Demographics
- Participants working in approximately 120 countries
- Participants born in approximately 140 countries
- Approximately 7,900 (74%) working in country of birth
- 69% Female
- Average age of 41 (s.d. = 10.4)
- Highest degree: 24% Bachelors, 34% Masters, 31% other
- Frequent flyers: 54% have attended a previous IB workshop
(including 1600 attending Cat 1)
PD experience ratings
- 93% participants mildly satisfied to very satisfied with workshop experience
- 88% participants had their expectations generally met to greatly surpassed
- 91% rated the overall quality good to excellent
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NEW! IBEN Team in your AEM region
| IBEN Manager | John Nicholls |
| IBEN Coordinators | Julie Jean |
| Lucia Brandulas | |
| Natalia Dumont |
Please direct any questions you may have on IBEN related activities to: ibaem.iben@ibo.org
To ensure that IB Educators do not need to liaise with different department of the regional office depending on the IBEN task which has been assigned to them; all IBEN communication will be handled by the above team from now on.
PD - However, if you have questions related to workshop architecture, subject guides etc. in preparation to PD activities (in-School workshop, regional workshop etc) please contact the global PD Head responsible for each programme
School Services - If you have questions related to the implementation of the programme in the school and in preparation of School Services activities (authorization/evaluations etc.), please contact the regional office: ibaem@ibo.org
PD – On-line training for DP group 1&2 workshop leaders
1. Online workshop leader training to support curriculum reviewThe new guides (first teaching September 2011) for group 1&2 courses which were developed during the recent curriculum review will be published in December 2010. To support the launch of these guides and provide valuable professional development for experienced teachers, each region will be holding subject specific seminars in early in 2011. Subject specific seminars are unique category 3 workshops which are designed to address the curriculum changes to Diploma Programme courses as part of the review cycle.
The goals are:
- to provide clear guidance on changes to subject specific content and assessment models
- to illustrate changes to assessment models using specimen examination papers
- to offer examples of student work that illustrate these changes
- to explore teaching and learning strategies to support changes
- to provide clear changes to procedures associated with submission of student work
Subject specific seminars will be facilitated by workshop leaders (WSLs) and academic staff from the IB Cardiff office.
All category 1 and 2 workshops scheduled after the subject specific seminar in 2011 will only focus on the new guides. To ensure the provision of high quality professional development it is vital that all workshop leaders planning to lead these workshops are familiar with the curriculum changes. To address this need you are invited to sign up for the short two week online training modules which are now available for workshop leaders. These will provide you with an overview of the subject specific seminars and material that can be used during future workshops that you lead. Please use the following link to register for the appropriate course.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/IB_WSL_Training_12
From 2011 onwards it is important to note that workshops will only be allocated to those workshop leaders who have taken the online training modules therefore please ensure that you register for the training at your earliest convenience.
2. Scheduled Subject Specific Seminars
Special Subject Specific Seminars in AEM for Group 1&2 changes, will be held in Zurich on Feb 4-6, 2011. We are pleased to report that there are already many participants registered for this new event. If you are interested to lead a workshop at this event, please contact: ibaem.iben@ibo.org
Or contact: ibaem.iben@ibo.org for more information.
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PD - Professional development for IB Educators
Please visit the regional IBEN page which details IBEN training opportunities you might be interested in : http://www.ibo.org/ibaem/educatornetwork/
Become an IBEN or enhance your IBEN activities!
Applications for IBEN training (workshop leader training, school visit training etc) are now taken year-round. Even if you do not find a training event which you are interested in, please do not hesitate to enter your details and indicate which training activity you would like to attend. The system will automatically send you an e-mail when a corresponding event has been posted.
Please contact: ibaem.iben@ibo.org for more information.
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New! Flat Rates in AEM for IBEN
For many years, the IB has received poor feedback on expense claims from IB Educators.
Some comments included:
"It takes too much time to complete your expense claims, find a better system"
’‘You take too long to pay us our expenses"
"Why don’t you pay a flat fee like some other organisations?"
- International organisations and government agencies around the world were often giving staff, ‘volunteers’ or similar a ‘per diem’ (flat rate which includes ALL expenses incurred on the activity).
- Some organisations give a flat rate according to city in which the expense is incurred some according to country in which the expense is incurred; others give a flat rate across the world.
- Granting a per diem/flat rate would have the advantage of compensating educators as soon as an event is closed.
- Regional workshop expenses were higher than In-School workshop expenses or School visits
- Activities vary in duration therefore total per diem/flat rate must reflect this.
- Expenses tended to extend either prior the event or after the event, so needed to be included into our per diem calculation.
- In contacting several of you on this matter, we found that a per diem/flat rate approach to expenses was the most popular solution.
For these reasons, starting September 2010, we will implement a flat rate which will cover all expenses incurred by activities you carry out for us, throughout the region. We have differentiated flat rates on the activity carried out, as we found this is where most variations occur.
The flat rate, therefore replaces expense claims, with the exception of those cases where expenses include road and/or train travel. Once an event is closed, you will receive honorarium + flat rate automatically. For tax purposes, the 2 items will be listed separately.
The table below lists the activity and the total flat rate per activity (NB activities vary in duration where from the differences).
Activity |
Total flat rate per event (USD) |
In School workshop |
175 |
Regional workshop |
375 |
Authorisation visit |
175 |
Evaluation visit |
200 |
Consultation visit A |
125 |
Consultation visit B |
175 |
IBEN Training (participant) |
TBC per event |
IBEN Training (trainer) |
TBC per event |
1. Travel
(i) Air
Travel must be organized by IB travel (travel@ibo.org ), unless otherwise specified & approved by IBEN unit in advance.
(ii) Rail
IB will refund up to the 2nd Class fare.
(iii) Road
At a rate of USD 0.60 per kilometre, including petrol, tolls etc. up to a maximum of USD 200.00.
(vi) Parking/Taxi/Bus and other public transportation
Included in flat rate.
2. Accommodation – regional workshops
As a rule, IB will book 3 nights single occupancy accommodation for all individuals attending workshops.
Extended stay (accommodation) will be reimbursed only if a consequent reduction of the airfare justifies the costs . Hotels have been instructed to request settlement of all personal charges (e.g. telephone calls, mini-bar, laundry, newspapers etc.) from the guest prior to checking out of the hotel. All extensions require prior authorization from PD unit.
For all other activities, accommodation is booked and paid for by the visited school.
3. Meals
Meals, excluding those organised by IB (regional workshops: breakfast, lunch throughout event & WSL briefing dinner), or visited schools, are included in flat rate.
4. Miscellaneous expenses
E.g. phone, WIFI*, workshop material - extra to standard material provided by IB, etc. are included in flat rate.
*Regional workshops only: internet access for leaders, will be made available free of charge in their workshop rooms.
5. Insurance (travel or other)
Included in flat rate.
6. Visa
Included in flat rate.
7. Honorarium & Extras
Activity |
# of days honorarium |
Total Honorarium (USD) |
In School workshop |
2 |
660 |
Regional workshop |
3.5 |
770 |
Authorisation visit (Team Leader) |
N/A |
500 |
Evaluation visit (Team Leader) |
N/A |
500 |
Consultation visit A |
1 |
330 |
Consultation visit B |
2 |
660 |
IBEN training |
TBC per event |
TBC per event |
Exceptions: activities carried out as ‘trainee’ and participants to IBEN training activities (e.g. workshop leader training) are not paid honorarium.
If you are a TRAINEE IBEN (e.g. workshop leader trainee, Team Leader trainee etc.) and carry out an activity for the IB for the first time OR if you are a confirmed/experienced IBEN and YOUR BANK DETAILS HAVE CHANGED since the last activity you carried out, please complete the BANK DETAIL FORM and return it to the regional office.
8. IB GLOBAL BANK ACCOUNT POLICY
The aim of this policy is to set forth certain requirements of the IB in order to process payments of any nature, including but not limited to reimbursement of expenses and payment of honoraria, to bank accounts or by cheque for IB Persons in compliance with international global banking policies.
Policy
It is the policy of the IB that, when making any payments to a bank account for any IB Person, that such bank account be designated in the name of such IB Person. Under no circumstances will the IB send payments to a bank account in the name of an accountholder other than the IB Person to whom such payment is being made (unless such account is a joint account of such IB Person). Further, it is the policy of the IB that, when making any payments to any IB Person by cheque, that such cheque may only be made out in the name of the IB Person to whom such payment is due.
Requirement: IB Persons receiving a payment through a bank account must provide information for a bank account designated in the name of such IB Person (including such IB Person’s full name as on such account, the bank account number, and any required information for direct deposit, wire or international money transfers, such as routing numbers, SWIFT codes or IBAN numbers).
For any questions please contact: ibaem.iben@ibo.org for more information.
back to topInvitations to IBEN activities
One of the objectives of creating an IBEN team in each region is to make it easier for you to carry our IBEN activities: one team, one process.
Therefore, and from now on you can expect the following invitations to show interest for all IBEN activities, be they school services activities or professional development activities:
March invitations
These invitations will display all events which have been scheduled by the regional office together with schools and PD providers for the next academic period. Depending on the IBEN activities you carry out for us, you will see all scheduled school visits. E.g. March 2011 invitation will cover all events running from September 2011 to August 2012.
October invitations
These invitations will display all events which have been scheduled by the regional office together with schools and PD providers running from January to September for the current academic year (e.g. October 2011 invitation will cover events running from January to August 2012).
The popularity of IBEN activities among IB practitioners is in part due to the unique opportunity for practitioners to leave their school and get a sense for how activities are run in other schools, other regions and other systems.
We must remember that however attractive it may be to travel long distances, to culturally very diverse locations, this does not come without a cost to schools.
Therefore, when you are selecting visits and/or workshops please first select events which are being held in your ‘sub-region’ (e.g. if you live in the Middle East, first select events in the Middle East).
How does attribution to events take place behind the scenes?
Here are some of the elements which are taken into consideration when you are selected to lead/co-lead an event:
- Level of interest – IB Educator who shows level of interest = ‘v. interested’ will have precedence over IB Educator who shows level of interest = ‘Backup only’.
- Evaluations – All past evaluation of IB Educators are reviewed and considered to ensure quality of event.
- Rotation – Rotation between past events delivered by IB Educator and current calendar for which they are being selected. E.g. where IB Educator led a WS in ME in 2008-2009 calendar, we will try to place another IBEN for 2009-2010 period, OR where IB Educator is selected for WS in Math Cat 1 in 2009-2010 period, unless otherwise not possible, another IB Educator should be selected for same level topic. Exception to this rule is where it is more cost effective to send a IB Educator residing in region where WS is being held.
- Distance – wherever possible, IB Educators are selected within their sub region. If this is not possible, the IB Educator residing in the next most cost effective location will be considered.
- Topic – IB Educators have all been invited to lead in their area of expertise. E.G. Math teacher, as an IB Educator will lead Math WS. However all IB educators have the possibility of selecting topics/subjects they may wish to lead in addition particularly for ‘generic’ type workshops, e.g. Introductory/Coordinators etc.
- Fair spread – IBEN activities are popular, therefore everything is done to spread activities across IB Educators.
- Up to date – For DP curriculum reviews, on-line training will be made available for workshop leaders, only trained leaders can be selected for those workshops having undergone such a review.
Please contact: ibaem.iben@ibo.org for more information.
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Continuum
As more and more schools become IB world schools offering 2 or three of the IB programmes, questions from participants on other programmes become more frequent.
Although the 3 programmes were not historically designed to follow on from one another, in recent years great effort has been put into developing a holistic approach, thereby reducing any gaps between programmes. Equally, much work has also gone into the government recognition of not only the DP but also the MYP which has been a welcomed success.
It is therefore important that questions arising from participants regarding other programmes which you are uncomfortable answering, be passed on to us. Building on your questions, we will in turn be sure to provide you with some answers via channels such as the OCC etc.
Also, it is important that as IBEN you represent the IB and thus should be positive about any other IB programme!!!
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News from global heads of PD
PYP
Global professional development for Primary Years Programme
Thank you all very much for your professionalism and your patience as the workshop architecture for the PYP was introduced worldwide in 2010. I have also appreciated the kind words and support I received from every region as I have settled into my new role in Singapore. I particularly enjoyed my visit to Geneva earlier this year and the constructive insights offered by the wonderful workshop leaders that I met in Prague.
The session guidelines are complete for the Category 1 and 2 workshops. I anticipate that there will be some refining of these over the next year or two as more workshop leaders implement them in their planning. I would welcome any feedback and suggestions. These guidelines are published in a single document on the workshop leader resource page of the OCC.
The Category 3 workshops have been an exciting new challenge this year. They have been published in a separate document on the workshop leader resource page to reflect the changing nature of this level of professional development. As new workshops are developed and approved during the year, the new session guidelines will be added as single page documents to the OCC. This means that the main Category 3 document will only require a significant revision once a year to incorporate the new workshops.
One of the humbling and personally enriching aspects of my role has been to collaborate on a Global professional development basecamp with experienced workshop leaders and outside experts.I wanted to continue the tradition of a community of learners that has served the PYP so well since its inception. Two workshops – ‘Inquiry learning’ and ‘Concept-based Learning in the PYP’ – have traditionally been delivered only in schools. These have not been accredited for regional workshops with session guidelines now in place.
One of the strengths of having collaborative global teams involved in the workshop development is that new offerings can be made quickly available in all regions. There are eight new workshops that will be ‘coming to a venue near you’.
- The Role of ICT in the PYP has been developed under the direction of Paul Schkade and trialed in Colorado. It looks at the implications of Web 2.0 on teaching and learning.
- The Role of the PYP coordinator has been developed under the direction of Tania Lattanzio in response to a growing need to support PYP coordinators in their journeys to verification and evaluation.
- Transdisciplinary learning in the PYP, under the direction of Maike Silvers and Julian Edwards is responding to the imperative faced by many schools to be able to map local and national curriculum demands over the transdisciplinary themes.
- Science in the PYP, under the direction of Michaela Stephenson, was developed in response to a growing number of schools maintaining that they needed stand-alone science classes. This workshop aims to improve primary teachers’ understanding of big ideas in science, the processes of working scientifically and the connections between science and literature. It includes optional sessions that may be held in science laboratories or science centers.
- Play based learning looks deeper at inquiry for young children. Developed by Anne Van Damme, an experienced ELC educator, it reflects a Reggio Emilia approach to inquiry and teacher research.
- Sustainability as International mindedness, developed by Kerry Bolger and Seetha Murthy examines the inter relationship between natural, personal, social, urban and technological sustainability. These dimensions are mapped across not only the PoI, but the whole learned curriculum.
- The learning environment and inquiry workshop looks at how physical, emotional and natural environments impact on learning. It will also look at how different community environments such as museums and art galleries can provoke inquiry.
- Beyond Symbolism is a unique workshop developed by Kim Anderson and Stephanie Armstrong (Gamilaraay Woman – First Australian) and Kelli McIntosh (Muruwari Woman). It looks at the indigenous ways of knowing which is applicable to all IB programmes. This workshop is designed to be delivered by an IB workshop leader in conjunction with an indigenous person. I am currently trying to source interested people in all parts of the world as I believe all of our teachers should have this experience.
These new products are all the result of proposals from workshop leaders. If you have an idea that you think has potential, please submit it to the PD team using the application form available on the www.ibo.org page. Please let me know if you have expertise in any of these areas and would be interested in developing your skills to deliver these new workshops. I can be contacted at either marcia.behrenbruch@ibo.org or pyp.pd@ibo.org.
Thank you all again for your valuable contributions and I’m looking forward to another stimulating year with you.
Dr. Marcia Behrenbruch, Head of Professional Development (PYP)
MYP
Towards a Global model of professional development for Middle Years Programme
As we move towards a global model of professional development for all three programmes, it comes as no surprise that the MYP has faced some of the greatest challenges. Both Diploma and Primary Years programmes followed some existing guidelines for consistent workshop architecture, but after a year of review, it is clear that the MYP has been delivered along fairly different guidelines. In order to move toward a global model, it has been important to seek first to understand these different regional practices before setting guidelines for all to follow. Thanks to the academic and school service global heads, regional managers, IBEN managers and representatives, and scores of MYP practitioners from around the world, we now have published session guidelines in English, Spanish, and French for category 1 and category 2 workshops for use in the Middle Years Programme workshops. These guidelines are posted on the Workshop leader resource centre (WRC) and apply to both subject specific workshops as well as those planned for heads of schools and coordinators. All workshop leaders should follow these guidelines so that by the end of 2010, we may measure the quality of our workshops based on consistent expectations for delivery. Because workshops are delivered over differing regional time frames, the guidelines are developed with a considerable amount of flexibility and allow for individual presenters to contribute their unique flair with regard to activities. However, significant concepts and session questions should be followed in the order that they are presented so that we may ensure consistent delivery around the globe. We are very interested in hearing from leaders regarding the use of these guidelines and how they may be improved. Please direct constructive commentary to myp.pd@ibo.org
David Clancy in the IB Cardiff office is working hard to provide some much needed housekeeping of the WRC. Leaders will notice some visual changes that should make it easier to navigate through the wealth of information. Now that category 1 or 2 guidelines are posted, our focus will move toward developing more resources to support leaders in the delivery of these workshops. We will post both suggested activities as well as copyrighted materials to allow leaders to focus on current research and practice to support their workshops. The next sets of guidelines to be published before the end of the year include category 3 offerings for moderation and monitoring of assessment, the Personal Project, and AoI: Contexts for Teaching and Learning. Several new category 3 workshops are currently under development. Some of these new category 3 workshops are being planned to serve regionally-specific audiences whereas others are being developed for global presentation. We are always looking for different ways to serve our schools, so leaders are encouraged to submit proposals for new category 3 workshops.
Note: Please remember that only samples from the WRC should be used in workshops; it is not advised that you use your own students’ work or samples from your own practice as these have not been moderated and could lead to miscommunication.
Finally, when you are preparing for a workshop if you need guidance related to workshop content please do contact Stan Burgoyne at myp.pd@ibo.org and if your query is of a subject specific nature you will be put in touch with the relevant Subject Area Manager (SAM).
Stan Burgoyne, Head of global professional development (MYP)
DP
Global professional development for Diploma Programme
Since the establishment of the global PD team nearly 12 months ago there has been a lot of time devoted to the review of regional practices to ensure that the organization really does have a global approach to professional development. Some of the regional practices have changed others have evolved to provide consistency with the other two regions, the major change was the introduction of session guidelines for category 1 and category 2 workshops for use in the Diploma Programme workshops. (add an electronic link?) These are posted on the Workshop leader resource centre (WRC). By the end of 2010 it is hoped that these will be used by all workshop leaders in the development of workshops as they provide vital information regarding the major themes to address during the workshop as well as guidance on assessment material to be used and IB publications to refer to during the workshop. They will be reviewed on an annual basis as subjects move along in the curriculum review cycle. We are still very interested to hear from each of you regarding the use of these and how they could further support you as workshop leaders, please direct this to diploma.pd@ibo.org
David Clancy in the IB Cardiff office is working hard to provide some much needed housekeeping of the WRC. There is now a visual change in the structure of the most subject pages making it easier to navigate through the wealth of information. In groups 4 and 5, student samples are being filed as suitable for category 1 or 2, this will be rolled out to the other subjects as each page is changed and more materials become available. In some cases we have been able to provide commentaries from senior examiner to justify the assessment to provide much needed support during workshop sessions which deal with assessment. With the advent of e-marking we will have the ability to be more creative with these samples to provide whole scripts and individual questions illustrating a range of mark allocations. Future changes are planned for the WRC in 2011 to ensure that workshop leaders are provided with really valuable materials. Please remember that only student samples from the WRC should be used in workshops, it is not advised that you use your own students’ work as these have not been moderated and could lead to miscommunication.
Some workshops leaders have asked to be put in touch with all WSLs in their subject to work collaboratively with each other within a supportive environment. This is an excellent idea, it has been used to great effect with ITGS and is to be encouraged. The global professional development team are very willing to set up such collaborative virtual environments to support WSLs share materials and discuss activities related to workshop delivery. If this interests you please contact Liza Tercero on diploma.pd@ibo.org
Finally, when you are preparing for a workshop if you need guidance related to workshop content please do contact Liza Tercero on diploma.pd@ibo.org and if your query is of a subject specific nature you will be put in touch with the relevant Subject Area Manager (SAM).
Liza Tercero, Head of global professional development (DP)
Facts and figures for 2009-2010 period in AEM
Total number of regional workshops (incl. external PD providers) from Sept. 09 – Aug. 10- PYP 44
- MYP 53
- DP 267
Total trained teachers: 5654
Total participants trained at regional workshops from September 09-August 10- PYP 123
- MYP 829
- DP 3595
Printing of regional workshops & workbooks - For 364 workshops, 75 page workbooks, 5654 participants: 424’050 pages
Number of teachers trained for the IB Educator Network in 2010: 90
- Authorization visits 93
- Evaluation visits 36
- Consultation 65
- DP examinations 34
- CAS monitoring 91
- DP evaluations 102
- PYP/MYP progress reports 70
Total number of IB Educators in 2010 for School Services IBEN activities: 230
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