The Western International School of Shanghai recently hosted a collaborative exhibition featuring students' impressive work in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) courses. These courses are integral components of the IB Diploma and IB Career-Related Programmes offered as part of the WISS Education.

Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) is a comprehensive two-year course encompassing five core themes: applied ethics, intercultural understanding, personal development, effective communication, and thinking processes.

Applied Ethics challenges students to grapple with real-world ethical dilemmas, progressing from general life situations to those specifically relevant to the workplace and their chosen career paths.

In the Intercultural Understanding unit, students explore the diverse influences that shape and define culture, delving into both their own backgrounds and those of others. The highlight of this section is an in-depth study of Erin Meyer's "The Culture Map," culminating in a reflective book report.

The Personal Development theme guides students through self-reflection, efficiency and motivation, emotional and intellectual intelligence, financial literacy, and change management. Students create personalized development plans that include self-assessment, goal setting, action planning, and evaluation methods.

The Effective Communication unit equips students with the skills to effectively engage in various types of communication, culminating in a mock interview where they demonstrate their understanding of successful communication strategies.

Throughout the PPS course, students hone their critical and creative thinking skills, applying them to diverse personal and professional scenarios. They learn to analyze and evaluate information, making connections between their learning and its practical application in their career-related studies.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a unique course offered as part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. TOK is designed to encourage students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, how we acquire it, and the extent of our understanding.

In TOK, students explore a wide range of knowledge that delves into various disciplines, such as the natural sciences, human sciences, mathematics, history, the arts, and ethics. They examine how knowledge is produced, shared, and evaluated within these disciplines.

One of the central focuses of TOK is on developing critical thinking skills. Students learn to question assumptions, evaluate arguments, consider multiple perspectives, and assess the validity and reliability of different sources of knowledge. Students are challenged to think critically about complex issues and develop their reasoning skills by engaging in discussions and debates.

TOK also encourages students to reflect on the role of language, perception, and emotion in shaping our understanding of the world. Students explore how language can enable and limit our ability to communicate ideas effectively, how our perceptions can influence how we interpret information, and how emotions can impact our decision-making processes.

Furthermore, TOK prompts students to consider the implications of knowledge within a global context. They investigate how cultural, historical, and ethical factors influence the production and dissemination of knowledge around the world. By examining different cultural perspectives and worldviews, students develop a deeper appreciation for the diversity of human knowledge and beliefs.

Overall, Theory of Knowledge challenges students to think critically, appreciate the complexities of knowledge, and recognize the interconnectedness of different areas of study. It fosters an open-minded and reflective approach to learning, preparing students to become knowledgeable, empathetic, and informed global citizens.

The collaborative TOK and PPS exhibitions provided students a platform to showcase their knowledge and skills, highlighting their hard work, dedication, and achievements. It was a testament to their growth and success in applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.

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拥抱多样性：全球创新学习联盟会议在新西兰奥克兰举行

全球创新学习联盟（GAIL）是一个著名的学校网络，致力于促进教育领域的创新、合作和文化交流。上海西华外籍人员子女学校（WISS）很荣幸成为全球创新学习联盟（GAIL）的成员，并兴奋地宣布将参加即将在新西兰奥克兰举行的全球创新学习联盟会议。此次会议为上海西方国际学校的学生提供了一次难得的机会，他们将在校长 David Edwards 先生、学术与创新部主任 Timothy Pyeon 先生和设计教师 Nwanneka Okwuosa 女士的陪同下，与其他 GAIL 成员学校共同促进多元化发展。

在中断四年之后，GAIL 会议将在新西兰奥克兰汇聚来自全球各地的教育工作者、管理人员和学生。今年的会议将特别关注多样性，承认多样性为教育机构带来的巨大价值。接受多元化观点、文化和思想的重要性无论怎样强调都不为过，GAIL 的目标是增强教育工作者创造包容性学习环境的能力。

WISS 始终站在倡导多元化和培养学生全球思维的最前沿。学校曾在 2019 年主办过 GAIL 会议，因此对这一活动的意义并不陌生。在 David Edwards、Timothy Pyeon 和 Nwanneka Okwuosa 等主要代表的陪同下，WISS 的学生将有宝贵的机会与来自其他 GAIL 成员学校的同学合作、学习和分享自己的独特经历。

本次会议的主要关注点是多样性，与会者可以期待一个深入探讨文化、种族、语言和社会多样性各个层面的丰富活动。研讨会、小组讨论和互动环节将为与会者提供在自己的学校创建包容性环境所需的工具和知识。会议旨在培养跨文化能力，弘扬学生和教育工作者的不同文化背景。

GAIL 会议之所以如此具有影响力，其中一个关键因素是它强调合作。与会者有机会参与合作项目，交流促进多样性和包容性的想法和最佳做法。通过这些互动，与会者将获得宝贵的见解和创新策略，并将其应用于各自的学校社区。

对于 WISS 的学生和更广泛的 GAIL 社区来说，在新西兰奥克兰举行的 GAIL 会议将是一次难忘的活动。当他们沉浸在一个多元、包容的环境中时，与会者将学到关于同理心、尊重和文化交流之美的宝贵经验。这次会议无疑将成为通过教育创造一个更加和谐和宽容的社会的垫脚石。

在即将于新西兰奥克兰举行的会议期间，WISS 与其他 GAIL 成员学校一道，热切希望为有关多样性的讨论做出贡献。通过参与此次全球对话，学校重申了其促进文化理解、拥抱多样性和推动教育创新的承诺。毫无疑问，GAIL 会议将成为积极变革的催化剂，教育工作者和学生将通力合作，共同建设一个重视和赞美我们丰富差异的未来。

WISS 主办 GAIL 会议（视频链接）

Bridging Theory and Practice: Insights from the TOK and PPS Exhibition at the Western International School of Shanghai

Jun 11, 2024