The Learner Profile

In the previous edition of PrepTalk I mentioned the learner profile being at the centre of the framework. These are the ten attributes that are the focus of the PYP as a holistic programme that aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

In the subsequent issues of PrepTalk the framework will be unpacked and explained fully. In this edition will focus on that element that is the centre of the framework – the learner profile.

What is the Learner Profile?

The IB describes these ten attributes as “a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. They imply commitment to help all members of the school community to learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.”

Each programme is committed to the development of students according to the learner profile. The learner profile provides a common language for all in the school community to use. It provides a clear and explicit statement of what is expected of students and teachers and what is expected of parents in terms of support for that learning. It can be considered a map of a lifelong journey in pursuit of international mindedness.

Throughout our involvement with the PYP we hope that all learners will be:

• Inquirers – We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
• Knowledgeable – We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
• Thinkers – We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
• Communicators – We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
• Principled – We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
• Open-minded – We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
• Caring – We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
• Risk-takers – We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
• Balanced – We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives – intellectual, physical, and emotional – to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
• Reflective – We thoughtfully consider the world and our own idea and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.

Over the past several weeks Year 5 have been working towards developing their own understanding of the learner profile and how each is relevant to their lives in and away from school. Working in small groups, the students used the dramatic strategy of frozen pictures to show their interpretation of one of the leaner profiles.

On Thursdays in class we have been exploring the PYP elements with Mrs Gough. We have been learning about the Learner Profile which is made up of ten different attributes including Inquirers, Caring, Communicators, Knowledgable, Reflective and many more. The latest lesson we have had on this subject was based on the Learner Profile ‘Reflective’ we did an activity where one person jumped once and the rest of us gave them feedback then they jumped again. At the end we were then told we had just been reflective and we realised that we had.  Being reflective means that you look back and see what you have done then act on that. Charlie Cooper – Year 5W Student.

In PYP on Thursday we are learning about the 10 learner profiles inquirers, caring, open-minded, balanced, communicators, thinkers, knowledgeable, reflective, risk taker and principled.  In the past few lessons we have tried to relate books Ms Gough gave us, the next lesson we drew pictures about the Canberra trip and gave it a learner profile, a few lessons later we jumped so we could see how far we got and the learner profile for that activity was reflective because after the jump the other people in the group gave us feedback. – Kiran A – Year 5B Student.