IB Unplugged

How can schools teach students to use AI responsibly while navigating the ethics of emerging tools? In this episode, educator and Eblana Learning founder Rita Bateson explores how IB schools can empower learners with AI literacy, critical thinking, and a strong ethical foundation—while staying true to IB values of agency, inquiry, and integrity.

What does the future of IB assessment look like in a world shaped by AI and digital learning? In this special IB Unplugged Live episode recorded at the IB Global Conference in The Hague, Matthew Glanville, Director of Assessment at the IB, joins us to unpack how assessment is evolving to stay relevant, equitable, and meaningful. From digital exams to AI-enhanced feedback and academic integrity, this conversation explores how the IB is rethinking assessment for the next generation of learners.

How can schools better support students as they move from the MYP to the DP? In this episode, Paul La Rondie, IB educator and curriculum leader, explores how educators can better align the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes to support smoother, more successful student transitions. From curriculum misalignments to assessment expectations and teaching mindsets, Paul unpacks the small shifts that make a big difference.

What if economics education wasn’t just about markets—but also about meaning, sustainability, and student agency? Jennifer Brandsberg-Engelmann shares how shifting to systems thinking can transform engagement, deepen understanding, and empower students to tackle real-world challenges. Packed with practical strategies and big ideas, this conversation is a must-listen for IB educators across Economics, Business Management, Global Politics, and beyond.

What does it mean to truly educate for sustainability, not just about it? In this episode, we speak with long-time IB educator and global thinker John Cannings about how sustainability must be more than a concept in the curriculum—it must be reflected in the very practices, decisions, and environments of our schools. John shares his experience supporting schools across the IB continuum to embed sustainability through experiential learning, nature-based education, and systems thinking.

What’s the difference between cognition and metacognition—and why does it matter? In our Season 2 kickoff, educator and school leader Gareth Rogers breaks down how understanding how students think can elevate how we teach. From retrieval practice to busting learning myths, this episode brings practical, research-based strategies to your IB classroom.

In this special season finale, hosts John Patton and Courtney Marline reflect on their journey through Season 1 of IB Unplugged. From conversations on TOK and AI to mental health and curriculum design, they revisit the standout moments and surprising takeaways that shaped their thinking. Tune in for heartfelt insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and a look ahead at what’s to come.

The IB is rethinking assessment—and going digital.

In this episode, we speak with Matthew Glanville, Director of Assessment at the IB, about the organization’s evolving vision for digital assessments. From ensuring equity and accessibility to designing more authentic ways to measure student understanding, Matthew offers a clear-eyed look at what’s changing, why it matters, and how IB educators can prepare.

What if everything you believed about learning was only part of the story?

What if our assessments focused on growth instead of ranking? In this episode, Dr. Conrad Hughes, Director General of the International School of Geneva and Senior Fellow at UNESCO's International Bureau of Education, challenges the traditional purpose of assessment. From the limits of high-stakes exams to designing systems that truly support learning and wellbeing, this conversation offers a bold and timely vision for how we can better serve students in the IB and beyond.