IB Math IA Complete Guide Part 1: An Introduction | Mr. Flynn IB

Mr. Flynn IB
18 Aug 202010:23

TLDRIn this introductory lesson on the IB Math IA, Mr. Flynn explains the nature of the IA, which is a 12-20 page report. He emphasizes the importance of the IA, worth 20% of the overall grade, and its potential to significantly impact a student's final score. The video also covers the criteria for a successful IA, including presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection, and the mathematical aspect. Mr. Flynn encourages students to choose engaging topics and dedicate at least 20 hours to the project. He assures viewers that with effort, anyone can produce a high-quality IA, even those who struggle with traditional math exams.

Takeaways

  • 📘 The IB Math IA (Internal Assessment) is a written report of 12 to 20 pages, with the exact length depending on the depth of the content.
  • 🔍 The IA is the same for both Standard Level and Higher Level students, except for Criterion E, which differs.
  • 👚‍🎓 It is an individual piece of work, meaning students choose their own topic and work independently.
  • ⌚ The IA should be word-processed, with Microsoft Word recommended for its superior equation editor.
  • 📊 It accounts for 20% of the overall grade, making it a significant component of the final IB Math score.
  • 🕒 A minimum of 20 hours of work outside of class is suggested to complete the IA effectively.
  • 🔄 Students receive one draft with written feedback from their teacher, which is crucial for improving the final submission.
  • ✅ The IA is marked by the student's teacher and moderated by the IB to ensure consistent standards.
  • 📋 It is assessed against five criteria: A (Investigation), B (Mathematical Communication), C (Personal Engagement), D (Use of Mathematics), and E (which differs between SL and HL).
  • 🎯 Each criterion in the IA is worth 20% of the total points, emphasizing the importance of each aspect of the report.

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the video by Mr. Flynn?

    -The purpose of the video is to introduce the IB Math IA (Internal Assessment), explain what it is, and provide an overview of what will be covered in subsequent lessons.

  • What is the recommended length for an IB Math IA report?

    -The recommended length for an IB Math IA report is 12 to 20 pages, although it can slightly exceed this range depending on the content.

  • Is the IB Math IA the same for both Standard Level and Higher Level students?

    -The IB Math IA is the same for both Standard Level and Higher Level students in criteria A, B, C, and D. The only difference is in Criterion E.

  • What is the significance of Criterion E in the IB Math IA?

    -Criterion E is significant as it is the only criterion that differs between Standard Level and Higher Level students, affecting the mathematical content and techniques used in the IA.

  • Why is it recommended to use a word processor for the IB Math IA?

    -It is recommended to use a word processor for the IB Math IA because it enhances the presentation and professionalism of the report, and Microsoft Word is particularly recommended for its equation editor.

  • How much of the overall grade does the IB Math IA contribute?

    -The IB Math IA contributes 20% of the overall grade, which is a significant portion and can greatly influence the final result.

  • What is the minimum recommended time to spend on the IB Math IA?

    -The minimum recommended time to spend on the IB Math IA is 20 hours, which is in addition to class time and time spent with teachers.

  • Does the IB Math IA receive feedback from the teacher?

    -Yes, the IB Math IA receives one draft with written feedback from the teacher, which is essential for improving the final submission.

  • Who marks the IB Math IA and what is the role of the IB in this process?

    -The IB Math IA is marked by the student's teacher and moderated by the IB to ensure consistency and accuracy in the marking process.

  • What are the five criteria against which the IB Math IA is marked?

    -The five criteria against which the IB Math IA is marked are A) Presentation, B) Mathematical Communication, C) Personal Engagement, D) Reflection, and E) Mathematics.

  • What is the significance of personal engagement in the IB Math IA?

    -Personal engagement is significant in the IB Math IA as it demonstrates the student's interest and involvement in the topic, which can enhance the overall quality and impact of the report.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to the Internal Assessment (IA)

The speaker begins by introducing the IA for the IB Mathematics course, emphasizing its significance and the structure of the lessons to follow. The IA is a standalone, 12-20 page written report that can vary in length but should not be too short or excessively long. The speaker highlights that the IA is the same for both Standard and Higher Level students, with the only difference being in Criterion E. It is an individual piece of work, and students are responsible for choosing their own topics. The IA is word-processed and can include personal touches like sketches or photos. The speaker recommends Microsoft Word for its equation editor and stresses the importance of effort and dedication, as the IA is worth 20% of the overall grade. The speaker shares examples of how the IA can significantly impact a student's final grade and encourages students to take it seriously.

05:01

📝 Drafting and Feedback on the IA

The speaker discusses the process of drafting the IA, emphasizing the importance of submitting a good first draft to receive constructive feedback. They share an anecdote about a student who submitted an inadequate draft, resulting in limited feedback. The speaker encourages students to engage with their teachers for guidance and clarification, even though formal written feedback will only be provided once. The IA is marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB to ensure consistency. The speaker explains the marking criteria, which include presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection, and mathematics, each contributing to the total 20 points of the IA grade. The speaker concludes by showing an example of a well-executed IA, discussing its components such as the introduction, investigation, mathematical modeling, and reflection, without revealing the grade to maintain suspense for a future video where they will grade it together with the audience.

10:02

🎿 Personalizing the IA with Engaging Topics

The speaker wraps up by discussing the importance of choosing a personal and engaging topic for the IA. They use the example of a student who investigated a snowboarding trick at Ski Dubai, showcasing how personal interests can be integrated into the IA. The speaker assures that while such an exciting topic is not mandatory, it serves as an inspiration for students to find topics that resonate with them. The speaker also hints at upcoming videos that will guide students on how to choose a suitable topic for their IA.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡IB Math IA

IB Math IA stands for International Baccalaureate Mathematics Internal Assessment. It is a significant component of the IB Mathematics course, typically requiring students to conduct an independent investigation into a mathematical topic of their choice. In the video, the instructor introduces the concept of the IA, emphasizing its importance in the overall IB Mathematics assessment, where it contributes to 20% of the final grade.

💡Written Report

A written report in the context of the IB Math IA is a formal document where students present their investigation. The video specifies that the report should be between 12 to 20 pages, showcasing the student's work. It is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their mathematical knowledge and skills through a personal project.

💡Criteria

In the video, criteria refer to the standards by which the IB Math IA is assessed. There are five criteria: A (Investigation), B (Mathematical Communication), C (Personal Engagement), D (Use of Mathematics), and E (Overall Standard). Each criterion is crucial for the evaluation of the IA, and the instructor mentions that they will be discussed in detail in subsequent lessons.

💡Word Processed

The term 'word processed' indicates that the IA should be typed using word processing software like Microsoft Word, rather than handwritten. The video suggests that a word-processed document is preferred as it presents a more professional and polished appearance, which is important for the formal assessment of the IA.

💡Personal Engagement

Personal engagement refers to the student's investment and interest in the topic of their IA. The video gives an example of a student who went to Ski Dubai and incorporated this experience into their IA, demonstrating a high level of personal engagement. This concept is important as it shows the student's motivation and connection to the project.

💡Quadratic

A quadratic, as mentioned in the video, is a type of mathematical equation of the second degree, typically appearing as ax^2 + bx + c = 0. In the context of the IA, the student used a quadratic equation to model a snowboard jump, illustrating how mathematical concepts can be applied to real-life situations.

💡Calculus

Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change and accumulation. In the video, the student applies calculus to their IA, likely to analyze the motion or trajectory of the snowboard jump. This shows the depth of mathematical analysis that can be included in an IA.

💡Reflection

Reflection in the IA involves the student's critical analysis and evaluation of their own work. The video mentions 'reflection part one, two, three,' indicating that the student should reflect on different aspects of their investigation, such as methodology, results, and conclusions.

💡Draft

A draft in the context of the IA is a preliminary version of the report that students submit to their teacher for feedback. The video emphasizes the importance of submitting a good first draft, as it will influence the quality of the feedback received and ultimately the final IA.

💡Moderation

Moderation in the IB context refers to the process where the IB ensures a consistent and fair standard of marking across all schools. The video explains that while the teacher marks the IA, the IB moderates these marks to ensure accuracy and fairness in the assessment process.

Highlights

Introduction to the IB Math IA, explaining what it is and its components.

The IA is a short written report of 12 to 20 pages, with flexibility in length.

Both Applications and Analysis students complete the same IA, with differences only in Criterion E.

Criterion A to D are identical for both SL and HL, while Criterion E varies.

The IA is an individual piece of work, with the topic chosen by the student.

It is recommended to be word processed, with Microsoft Word being the preferred tool.

Incorporating personal elements like photos or sketches can add personality to the IA.

The IA is worth 20% of the overall grade, significantly impacting the final result.

Examples given of how the IA can influence overall grades, highlighting its importance.

The IA offers a chance for students who struggle with exams to excel.

A minimum of 20 hours of dedicated work outside of class is recommended.

Students receive one draft with written feedback from their teacher.

The teacher's feedback is crucial for improving the IA.

The IA is marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB to ensure consistency.

The IA is marked against five criteria: A (Presentation), B (Mathematical Communication), C (Personal Engagement), D (Reflection), and E (Mathematics).

Each criterion is worth a significant percentage of the overall grade.

An example IA is shown, discussing its structure and components.

The example IA includes an investigation at Ski Dubai, using a mathematical model to analyze a snowboard jump.

The IA should reflect personal engagement and originality.

The importance of effort and dedication in completing a successful IA is emphasized.