Nurturing Independent Learners

Nov 11, 2022

Developing a growth mindset and resilience is an intricate and sensitive process that requires a delicate balance of stability, nurture, and challenge. Throughout our students’ learning experiences, whether face-to-face or online, they are encouraged to develop their approaches to learning (ATLs). The acquisition of these skills, such as communication, thinking, research, and self-management, are fundamental to becoming independent learners.

Issues with Global Citizenship

Nov 11, 2022

There are two schools of thought regarding Global Citizenship Education (GCE), the soft and the critical, and both schools seek to expand the education of the student at an International School to consider their place in a globalized world (Pais & Costa 2017). The ideological basis of GCE has the noble attempt to counter the effects of Neo-liberalism on education, namely as an antidote to the commodification, marketization, and individualism that characterizes the Neo-liberalist tendency (Pais & Costa 2017).

From that point of view, it would seem that International Schools would see value in promoting GCE in their curriculum. Indeed, that is perhaps why the IBO found it necessary to include the promotion of international mindedness as a core requirement of their programs. Andreotti (2007: 41) posits that the central issue is 'whether and how to address the economic and cultural roots of the inequalities in power and wealth/labour distribution in a global complex and uncertain system'.

WISS Students Awarded at Shanghai Speech Competition

Nov 4, 2022

Secondary students at the Western International School of Shanghai shared their positions on creating a more sustainable future to a panel of esteemed judges.Students who participated in the Shanghai Family Speech Competition 2022 expressed their opinions, findings, and ambitions for a greener, more sustainable future with speeches guided by thorough research and understanding of environmental protection and ecology

We are pleased to announce that several students from the Western International School of Shanghai have received top awards at the speech competition.We extend our congratulations to Ocean, Sean and Gavin for their participation and recognition at the Shanghai Family Speech Competition 2022. Ocean won First Place, Sean’ a Second Place and Gavin an award of excellence for their remarkable speeches on the topic of “Green your power, power your future”.

The Importance of Social-Emotional Education

Nov 3, 2022

Leading the Future of WISS Open House | Exceptional International Education

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has destabilized health systems, the world of work, connections between countries, educational systems, and, of course, social and affective relationships.

With the implementation of alternative instructional systems through online teaching, students have been able to continue with the learning process. Still, this situation has caused students to face isolation, boredom, anxiety, and stress.

Leading the Future of Learning

Oct 21, 2022

It is an incredibly exciting time to be involved in the world of education. At no other point in the modern history of teaching and learning, have so many factors come together to provide such a large-scale opportunity to adjust, develop and significantly strengthen what occurs in schools.  

There can be no understatement on the impact of the pandemic on personal well-being, as well as the larger socio-economic implications caused from the past three years. Yet within this, and remaining eternally optimistic, we are at a point in time when not only have questions arisen about education, but more importantly, action has been taken. 

Over these past years, the manner in which we measure and represent student progress and achievement has shifted. In our specific education world, the International Baccalaureate swiftly adjusted the measure for IB Diploma students, changing the entire examination process. National governments and other certifying bodies equally followed suit. As some normality returns in the world, the question now arises loudly “Do we return to the past or should we push ahead for the future?” 

University Level Courses at WISS | SCAD University visits WISS

Oct 21, 2022

The Western International School of Shanghai offers a robust academic programme as part of the school curriculum. The WISS exclusive university partnerships are among the range of distinguishing programs offered to students. One such partnership is with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in the United States. SCAD forms part of the WISS IB Career-Related Programme (IBCP) and offers students a plethora of university-level courses based on foundation-level Art and Design.

The selection of courses on offer affords WISS students a flexible pathway to explore their passions in the field and possible career pathways, which include:

Architect, Interior Designer, Game & Software Designer, Photographer, Performing Artist, Advertising & Branding Executive, Artist, Author/Playwright, Digital Design Consultant, Sketch Artist, Sound Designer, Visual Effects Specialist, Industrial Design, Animation, and Sustainability Design.

A Voyage Through Fils and Media Studies

Oct 19, 2022

The area of audio-visual production has gone through tremendous transformations over the past decade. During that time, streaming services became content producers, financing independent productions as well as conceiving and making their own. Movie theaters have seen an explosion of CGI-heavy spectacles, which the public has become saturated with, resulting in a revival of smaller, story-focused films.

The number of streaming services has increased, with more people worldwide consuming media through computers, smartphones, and smart TVs. YouTube has become the training ground for new talent in all areas of media, where independent content creators are free to follow their vision and present it to audiences of millions. Moreover, companies that generally utilize still images as a basis for their advertising are turning toward short-form video. Simply put, there has never been a better time to get involved in video production

Theory of Knowledge – WISS TOK Exhibition

19/10/2022

Can "new knowledge" change established values or beliefs? Attendees of the recent Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Exhibition at the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) echoed how the concept of knowledge diverges from what is established, giving rise to new knowledge connections to be explored.

For those who may be unfamiliar with IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the course is at the core of the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). The TOK course is centered around the core theme of “Knowledge and the knower,” encouraging students to reflect on themselves as knowers and thinkers and to consider different communities of knowers to which they belong.