The International
Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile describes a wide range of human capacities
and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. They imply a commitment
to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others
and the world around them. The profile aims to develop learners who are: inquirers,
knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring,
risk-takers, balanced and reflective.
Having worked with
many international schools for their outbound programmes, teachers sometimes
struggle to ensure that children imbibe these values. Outbound programme is one
such opportunity for students to explore themselves and the values that IB
encourages them to have.
Trailblazers organised an adventure programme in the scenic environs of Lower Himalayas for
a group of students from MYP 4, 5 and DP in February 2017. Students enjoyed
their stay in tents and did wide range of activities including valley crossing,
jummaring, bridge slithering, hiking, kayaking, local village interaction and
rafting. The teachers on this programme ensured that students were away from
technology for four days and that made all the difference. Away from their gadgets, it was nice to see
students communicating with each other, playing and observing. Their evening
reflection sessions turned very interesting where Trailblazers experts gently
nudged the students to reflect and introspect on the day’s activities through
discussions, sketches and writing down their thoughts about their experience.
Trailblazers wishes
that more schools would undertake such focused outdoor programmes instead of
visiting ten places in four days under the garb of ‘Educational tours.’ A focused outdoor programme can be designed to give more meaningful experiences
and specific learning outcomes for our young generation. Do email us on
contact@trailblazersindia.com to design an
outdoor programme for your school.
