IB Math IA Complete Guide Part 1: An Introduction | Mr. Flynn IB

Mr. Flynn IB
18 Aug 202010:23

TLDRThis video introduces the IB Math IA, a 12-20 page individual written report worth 20% of the final grade. It covers the importance of choosing a good topic, the requirement of word processing, and the significance of effort and dedication. The IA is marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB, focusing on five criteria: presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection, and mathematics. The video also provides a glimpse of a well-executed IA, showcasing the potential for personal engagement and creativity in the project.

Takeaways

  • 📘 The IB Math IA is a written report of 12 to 20 pages, with a focus on individual research and analysis.
  • 🔍 The IA is the same for both Standard and Higher Level students, with the only difference being in Criterion E.
  • 📝 The IA is an individual piece of work, with students choosing their own topic and conducting their research independently.
  • 💻 The IA should be word-processed, with Microsoft Word being the recommended tool for its equation editor and formatting capabilities.
  • 🏅 The IA is worth 20% of the overall grade, making it a significant component of the final assessment.
  • ⏰ It is suggested that completing an IA will take a minimum of 20 hours of dedicated work outside of class.
  • 📑 Students will receive one draft with written feedback from their teacher, which is crucial for improving the final submission.
  • 👨‍🏫 The IA is initially marked by the student's teacher and then moderated by the IB to ensure consistency in grading.
  • 🎯 The IA is assessed based on five criteria: presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection, and mathematics.
  • 🤔 Personal engagement is key, as demonstrated by a student who conducted an investigation at Ski Dubai, adding a personal touch to the IA.
  • 📈 The IA offers an opportunity for students who may struggle with traditional exams to excel through effort and dedication.

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the IB Math IA?

    -The IB Math IA (Individual Assessment) is a written report of 12 to 20 pages that students complete individually to demonstrate their understanding and application of mathematical concepts.

  • What is the difference between the Standard Level and Higher Level IB Math IA?

    -The only difference between the Standard Level and Higher Level IB Math IA is the difference in Criterion E. Criteria A, B, C, and D are the same for both levels.

  • Why is it recommended to use a word processor for the IA?

    -Using a word processor, especially Microsoft Word, is recommended because it enhances the presentation of the report and makes it look more professional. It also allows for better editing and formatting.

  • How much weight does the IA carry in the overall grade for IB Math?

    -The IA is worth 20% of the overall grade in IB Math, making it a significant component of the final assessment.

  • What is the minimum number of hours recommended to spend on the IA?

    -It is recommended to spend a minimum of 20 hours working on the IA, which is in addition to the time spent in class and with the teacher.

  • What does the IB moderation process entail for the IA?

    -The IB moderation process ensures that the teacher marking the IA is doing so accurately and fairly. It is not the IB directly grading the work, but rather ensuring the teacher's grading is consistent and valid.

  • How many criteria are used to mark the IA and what are they?

    -There are five criteria used to mark the IA: A - Presentation, B - Mathematical Communication, C - Personal Engagement, D - Reflection, and E - Mathematics.

  • What is the significance of the first draft of the IA?

    -The first draft of the IA is significant because it is the only draft that will receive written feedback from the teacher. A good first draft will lead to better feedback and guidance for improvement.

  • Can students discuss their IA with the teacher before submitting the first draft?

    -Yes, students are encouraged to discuss their ideas and progress with the teacher before submitting the first draft. This can provide valuable insights and guidance, although formal written feedback will only be given once.

  • What is an example of personal engagement in an IA?

    -An example of personal engagement in an IA could be a student conducting a personal investigation, such as going to Ski Dubai and analyzing a snowboard jump, to model mathematically and reflect on the findings.

  • How can students ensure they choose a good topic for their IA?

    -Students can ensure they choose a good topic for their IA by considering their interests, conducting thorough research, and seeking guidance from their teacher. The topic should be something the student is passionate about and can explore mathematically.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to the IA: Expectations and Structure

This paragraph introduces the concept of the Internal Assessment (IA) for the IB Mathematics course. The speaker outlines that the IA is a 12 to 20-page written report, emphasizing that the length is a guide and not a strict rule. The IA is an individual piece of work, with the student choosing their own topic. It must be word-processed, with a preference for Microsoft Word due to its formatting capabilities. The speaker also mentions the importance of the IA in the overall grade, highlighting that it accounts for 20% of the final score and can significantly impact a student's final grade. The paragraph concludes with a mention of the time commitment required for the IA, suggesting a minimum of 20 hours of dedicated work outside of class.

05:01

📝 Drafting and Feedback: The Crucial Role of the First Draft

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the importance of the first draft in the IA process. A good first draft is essential for receiving constructive feedback from the teacher. The speaker shares an anecdote about a student who submitted an inadequate draft, receiving minimal feedback in return. The paragraph also explains that the IA will be marked by the teacher and moderated by the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization to ensure consistency in grading. The speaker advises students to impress their teachers with their work and to heed their advice. The paragraph ends with a brief mention of the five criteria against which the IA will be assessed: presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection, and mathematics.

10:02

🎿 Personalizing the IA: A Real-Life Example

The speaker provides an example of a successful IA to illustrate the personal engagement and creativity that can be incorporated into the project. The example involves a student who used a mathematical program to model a snowboard jump at Ski Dubai, reflecting on different mathematical concepts and attempting to understand why certain tricks were successful or not. The speaker emphasizes that while the example is unique, it demonstrates the potential for students to explore personal interests within the IA. The paragraph aims to inspire students to consider how they can make their IA projects engaging and meaningful.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡IA (Internal Assessment)

IA stands for Internal Assessment, which is a significant component of the IB Math curriculum. It is a written report ranging from 12 to 20 pages, where students individually choose a topic and explore it using mathematical concepts. The IA constitutes 20% of the overall grade, making it an essential part of the assessment.

💡Criterion

The IA is evaluated based on five criteria: presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection, and mathematics. Each criterion contributes to the final score, and understanding each is crucial for achieving a high grade. The only difference between standard and higher levels is in Criterion E.

💡Personal Engagement

Personal engagement is one of the criteria for the IA and refers to the student's ability to connect personally with their topic, demonstrating curiosity and creativity. This can be shown through original data collection or personal reflection on the topic, enhancing the uniqueness and depth of the IA.

💡Draft

Students are allowed to submit one draft of their IA to receive written feedback from their teacher. This draft is crucial as it guides the final submission. Providing a well-prepared draft is important as it leads to more constructive feedback, helping improve the quality of the IA.

💡Moderation

After the IA is marked by the teacher, it is moderated by the IB to ensure consistency and fairness in grading. This means that while the teacher's judgment is critical, the IB reviews a sample of IAs to confirm the grading standards are uniformly applied.

💡Word Processed

The IA should ideally be word processed, as it presents the work more professionally. While handwritten submissions are allowed, they are less recommended. Microsoft Word is preferred for its superior equation editor, which helps in presenting mathematical work clearly.

💡Mathematical Model

A mathematical model is a representation of a real-world situation using mathematical concepts and language. In the context of the IA, students may create models to explore and solve problems related to their chosen topics, as exemplified by a student modeling a snowboard jump.

💡Reflection

Reflection is a criterion in the IA where students must demonstrate their understanding and insight into the mathematical processes they have engaged with. This involves discussing what they have learned, the challenges faced, and how their understanding of mathematics has evolved through the IA.

💡Presentation

Presentation is another criterion for the IA and focuses on how well the information is organized and communicated. A well-structured IA with clear headings, logical flow, and appropriate use of visuals and mathematical notation can significantly impact the overall assessment.

💡Effort and Dedication

Effort and dedication refer to the amount of time and commitment a student invests in completing their IA. Mr. Flynn emphasizes that despite varying levels of mathematical ability, putting in consistent effort and dedication is key to producing a high-quality IA and achieving a good grade.

Highlights

Introduction to the IB Math IA (Individual Assessment) process.

The IA is a 12 to 20 pages written report, with a guide to not go below or exceed this range excessively.

The difference between Standard Level and Higher Level is only in Criterion E.

IA is an individual piece of work, not done in groups.

Students choose their own IA topic and it should be a good one.

The IA should be word-processed, with Microsoft Word being the recommended tool.

Adding personal elements like sketches can add personality to the IA.

The IA is worth 20% of the overall grade and can significantly impact the final result.

A minimum of 20 hours of dedicated work is suggested for the IA.

Students receive one draft with written feedback from the teacher.

The teacher's feedback is crucial for improving the IA.

The IA is marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB to ensure consistency.

The IA is assessed based on five criteria: presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection, and mathematics.

Each criterion contributes equally to the 20% IA grade.

An example IA is presented to give an idea of what a good IA looks like.

The example IA involves a personal investigation at Ski Dubai and mathematical modeling.

The importance of effort and dedication in achieving a good IA grade is emphasized.

Students are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the teacher for guidance.

The video concludes with a teaser for the next lessons on choosing a topic for the IA.