2015 and 2016 – Important changes on the horizon

Major changes are being introduced to the Project in 2015 and to HL Paper 1 and SL Paper 1 in 2016.

The changes to the Project have already been published in the Handbook of Procedures for 2015. The changes in both Paper 1’s will be forthcoming in IB Coordinator notes.

It is important to note that the changes in the assessment of the Project are not included in the current ITGS Guide nor the Teacher Support Material. Sample projects that were distributed in workshops prior to 2015 will also not include the changes in Criterion E and Criterion G.

 

May 2015 Session and Onwards: Changes for the ITGS Project Crterion E and Criterion G

The assessment criteria in the ITGS for the Project no longer apply for criterion E and Criterion G.

The new criteria can be viewed in the Handbook of Procedures for 2015

https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/server3/apps/handbook/index.html?doc=d_0_dpyyy_vmx_1409_1_e&part=16&chapter=5

 

If students follow the previous assessment criteria and requirements. they will not be disadvantaged. The new criteria attempt to place less restrictions on Criterion E and provide an extra mark for the required screencast in Criterion G.

 

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The changes in HL Paper 1 and SL Paper 1 attempt to provide students with more time to organize and write their responses. The structure of the questions will not change. However, students will be required to respond to fewer questions and be provided with additional time.

May 2016 onwards: Changes in SL Paper 1

(watch for announcement in the IB coordinator notes posted on the OCC)

The current SL Paper 1 requires students to select 3 questions out of 5 questions in 1 hour and 45 minutes or 105 minutes (35 minutes per question).

The new structure for SL Paper 1 will require students to select 2 questions out of 4 questions in 1 hour and 30 minutes. 2 questions in 90 minutes (45 minutes per question).

The scope of the examination will remain the same.

 

While it is recognized that the new structure would allow students to study only one topic 3.10 IT Systems in Organizations or 3.11 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems, this is not advised. This would mean that instead of choosing one question out of four questions, they would only be able to select one question out of two questions.

May 2016 Onwards: Changes in HL Paper 1

(watch for announcement in the IB coordinator notes posted on the OCC)

The current HL Paper 1 requires students to respond to:

• Section A – select 2 questions out of 3 questions
• Section B – select 1 question out of 2 questions on the topic 3.10 IT Systems in Organizatons
• Section C – select 1 question out of 2 questions on topic 3.11 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems.

The length of the paper is 2 hours and 15 minutes (33.75 minutes per question).

The new structure for HL Paper 1 will require students to respond to:

• Section A – remains unchanged. Select 2 questions out of 3 questions
• Section B – will merge the 4 questions from the current section B and section C and students will select 1 question out of 4 questions on topics 3.10 and 3.11.

The scope of the examination remains the same.

The length of the paper remains unchanged 2 hours and 15 minutes (i.e. 3 questions in 135 minutes. (45 minutes per question).