Celebrating International Think Pink Day

Oct 13, 2023

International Think Pink Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of raising awareness, educating communities, and supporting those affected by cancer. At Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), this day holds great significance, as it aligns with one of our school's core pillars: Community Service. Through engaging the community and actively participating in the celebration of Think Pink Day, WISS demonstrates its commitment to supporting and empowering the community.

THE AI Revolution: Unleashing Investigative Discovery

Oct 5, 2023

According to a recently released report by UNESCO on “Impact of AI on skill development,” AI has broad implications for the whole of humanity, including education systems that equip lifelong learners with the skills to navigate both work and society. The International Baccalaureate (IB) also emphasizes the need to adapt and transform educational programs and assessment practices to enable students to use new AI tools ethically and effectively. At WISS, we have embarked on a transformative journey to embrace AI as a community, empowering our students to navigate an AI-integrated future in the digital age. In the context of developing ATL (Approaches to Learning) skills in students within the Diploma Programme, these are fundamental in helping students achieve their full potential. By developing these skills, students gain confidence, versatility, and resilience when approaching demanding content. Across the Diploma program, one of the common important assessment expectations is to develop a focused research question or a knowledge question that allows for an in-depth investigation or inquiry. This involves strong research to delve into unbiased, factual information, application of justified knowledge, weighing out diverse perspectives, analyzing and evaluating them objectively and subjectively, and presenting findings in an academically acceptable manner that is devoid of plagiarism. In my Physics classroom, students are building on research questions for their upcoming investigative analysis for their IA. One student who found it challenging to come up with an area of investigation was asked to identify his area of passion. Having identified baseball, the student was guided to use AI to get to his research question. The student gave the prompt “Google prompts to investigate experiments on baseball,” and the AI tool generated a list of areas that could be investigated experimentally. Delving further, the student could find out relevant academic papers and the citation needed with the same. The use of AI demands a paradigm shift in the way students think, conduct research, and communicate. Furthermore, as a cohort, DP students will be learning how to create argumentative, analytical, or evaluative pieces of writing for TOK and other subject areas using AI and, at the same time, generate academically honest work by citing work generated by AI as per IB guidelines. It’s important to note that while AI platforms offer unique benefits, they should not replace human interaction in research or skill development. Embracing our humanity and learning to connect human-to-human remains crucial for personal and professional advancement. As a community at WISS, we would continue embracing innovative methods of teaching and learning that empower our students to be creators and not imitators in ways that would ignite their passion and sense of inquiry.

At WISS, we have embarked on a transformative journey to embrace AI as a community, empowering our students to navigate an AI-integrated future in the digital age. In the context of developing ATL (Approaches to Learning) skills in students within the Diploma Programme, these are fundamental in helping students achieve their full potential. By developing these skills, students gain confidence, versatility, and resilience when approaching demanding content.

WISS Joins Global Alliance For Innovative Learning Conference

Sep 29, 2023

At Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), we prioritize staying connected with the ever-evolving business landscape to provide our students with a holistic and future-focused education. To achieve this, members of our esteemed Senior Leadership Team actively participate in key events organized by prestigious business chambers and organizations. These engagements offer a unique opportunity for WISS to foster connections, stay updated on business developments, and contribute to the growth of the WISS Business ecosystem.

The Global Alliance for Innovative Learning (GAIL) is a prestigious international organization comprising eight exceptional schools from around the world. As one of the founding member schools, WISS is proud to participate in the upcoming GAIL Students and Heads of School conferences in Auckland, New Zealand, where students and educators will collaborate on advancing global innovation and reinforcing student leadership.

Greatness Starts With Attitude - Leadership Skills

Sep 27, 2023

Leadership is a crucial trait for achieving greatness in various aspects of life. It involves the ability to guide, inspire, and influence others towards a common goal or vision. A strong leader possesses several key qualities that set them apart and enable them to make a lasting impact.

Celebrating The Best of Eastern And Western Cultures

Sep 24, 2023

At the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), the importance of embracing diverse cultures is deeply ingrained in our educational philosophy. We firmly believe that by celebrating and integrating elements from both Eastern and Western cultures, we create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment for our students. One prime example of this is the various celebrations across campus for the Mid-Autumn Festival, where the school community comes together to honor traditions, engage in cultural activities, and foster cross-cultural connections.

Building Connections For A Future Focussed Education

Sep 24, 2023

At Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), we prioritize staying connected with the ever-evolving business landscape to provide our students with a holistic and future-focused education. To achieve this, members of our esteemed Senior Leadership Team actively participate in key events organized by prestigious business chambers and organizations. These engagements offer a unique opportunity for WISS to foster connections, stay updated on business developments, and contribute to the growth of the WISS Business ecosystem.

WISS Launches Academic Advisory Programme

Sep 22, 2023

In today's fast-paced and competitive world, academic success plays a crucial role in shaping students' future endeavors. Recognizing the importance of holistic education, the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) proudly presents its groundbreaking Academic Advisory Programme. Designed to cater to students from Grade 6 through Grade 12, this innovative initiative aims to provide comprehensive guidance and support that will empower students throughout their secondary school journey. Let's delve into the numerous benefits and opportunities offered by this program.

WISS Embraces Artificial Intelligence

Sep 14, 2023

The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) is proud to announce its commitment to embracing the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As an initiative to involve parents in this transformative journey, WISS recently hosted a parent engagement workshop titled "THE AI REVOLUTION - Transforming Our Daily Lives and Inspiring Child Engagement".