Agency and concept-based learning

Agency and concept-based learning

Explore the foundations of IB, the student profile, student agency, and concept-based learning to transform your teaching practice.

Mónica Naranjo's profile photo
Instructor: Mónica Naranjo

About the course

How can we transform our teaching practice to empower students and promote deeper, more meaningful learning? This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the foundations of the International Baccalaureate (IB), with special emphasis on developing student agency and concept-based learning. Over four sessions, participants will explore the IB philosophy, the student profile, strategies to promote agency, and the design of concept-based learning experiences.

How it works

You will join a group of 2 to 5 colleagues, and as a group, you will meet 4 times, either in person or online, at a time you all agree on.

1

Join a circle

Organize your study group with colleagues during the match period.

2

Agree on a schedule

Decide the most convenient time for your sessions, online or in person.

3

Join and collaborate

When the session arrives, connect with your colleagues and complete the activities together.

What's included

2 live tutoring sessions with expert
Personalized feedback per session
Access to Circles platform
WhatsApp support
Verifiable digital certificate
Weekly reports for leadership

Requirements

  • Be an active educator
  • Interest in international education and IB
  • Willingness to transform pedagogical practices
  • Availability to participate in sessions

Course syllabus

Session 1: IB Foundations

  • Understand the mission, vision, and theoretical foundations of the IB
  • Identify how IB principles translate into effective pedagogical practices
  • Develop strategies to implement IB foundations in daily practice

Session 2: The IB Student Profile

  • Explore the 10 attributes of the IB student profile
  • Design strategies to promote these attributes in the classroom
  • Develop teaching proposals for the integral development of the student

Session 3: Student Agency

  • Understand the concept of agency (voice, choice, and ownership) in learning
  • Identify strategies to empower students
  • Develop a set of tools to promote student agency

Session 4: Concept-Based Learning

  • Differentiate between content-based and concept-based learning
  • Design learning experiences that promote conceptual understanding
  • Create lesson proposals that foster inquiry and transfer

Meet the instructor

Mónica Naranjo's profile photo

Mónica Naranjo

Specialist in international education, with extensive experience in implementing International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs and leading teacher training. With over 20 years of experience in international school settings, she has supported school communities as a teacher, coordinator, consultant, workshop leader, and evaluator. Her approach focuses on developing student agency, fostering cultures of inquiry and critical thinking, and promoting concept-based, student-centered learning.

Sólo hay

buenas preguntas ;)

¿Aún tienes preguntas? ¡Escríbenos!

Related articles

Visit the blog
Planning with AI is not cheating: it's exercising professional judgment
Analysis

Planning with AI is not cheating: it's exercising professional judgment

Using AI to prepare lessons frees up cognitive time without delegating the teacher's judgment — as long as you define objectives and context before asking for the draft.

How Circles Makes the Best Teacher Training Accessible
Product

How Circles Makes the Best Teacher Training Accessible

Circles Learning announces the launch of their new educational platform connecting world-class experts with K-12 teachers through specialized courses. The platform enables educators to form "circles" of 2-5 colleagues to access elite training through flexible weekly meetings, breaking down traditional barriers of cost, geography, and time that limited access to high-quality professional development workshops.

TeachView: AI-Powered Classroom Observation for the Modern Teacher
Product

TeachView: AI-Powered Classroom Observation for the Modern Teacher

TeachView is an AI-powered classroom observation tool that allows teachers to easily record their lessons using just a smartphone. The system provides interactive transcripts, visual timelines of speaking patterns, and AI analysis of teaching moments. Teachers can search for specific instructional practices, while school leaders can use customizable observation protocols aligned with their priorities. TeachView aims to transform classroom observation from a rare, stressful event into a regular, empowering practice, especially when combined with Circles Learning's collaborative professional development communities, ultimately freeing up time for meaningful conversations about teaching and learning.