The learners were able to articulate that factual information is not the end of learning, but rather a foundational step towards achieving conceptual understanding. Mr. Lundy’s planning book outlined several strategies to support this process:

1. Modeling a ‘Think Aloud’: Demonstrating how conceptual understanding can be transferred through verbalizing the thought process.

2. Check for Conceptual Transfer through Discussion: Engaging students in discussions to assess whether they have grasped the deeper concepts beyond the facts.

3. Check for Conceptual Transfer using Visual Images: Using visual aids to evaluate if students can transfer their conceptual understanding through interpretation of images.

4.     Develop an understanding of a concept in a smaller, familiar context: Begin by introducing the concept in a setting that students are comfortable with, allowing them to relate and build upon prior knowledge.

5.     Make general connections in unusual ways: Encourage students to think creatively and make connections between concepts in unexpected or unconventional ways, fostering deeper understanding.

6.     Make a conceptual connection between objects: Help students explore relationships between different objects or ideas, emphasizing their conceptual links.

7.     Make a conceptual connection between two events: Encourage students to draw connections between events, identifying common themes or principles that underpin both.

8.     Identify the essential characteristics of a concept: Guide students to recognize the core elements of a concept, helping them understand what makes it distinct and relevant in various contexts.

9.     Draw out the conceptual understandings in prior knowledge that students bring to a task or unit of inquiry: Tap into the students’ existing knowledge and experiences to uncover underlying concepts that will aid their learning.

10.  Explore what a concept might ‘look like’ across disciplines, being attentive to variance: Encourage students to explore how a concept manifests in different subjects or fields, noting both similarities and differences.

11.  Engage in a scenario to experience a concept: Create real-life or hypothetical scenarios that allow students to interact with and experience a concept firsthand, making it more tangible.

12.  Generate a list of questions that could include a target concept in the answer: Encourage students to formulate questions where the target concept can be the answer, helping to reinforce their understanding.

These strategies are designed to foster deeper, conceptual thinking and promote an inquiry-based learning approach.

Paper: I learned the importance of modeling conceptual understanding through activities like think-alouds and discussions.

Scissors: I want to move away from monolingual practices and embrace a more multilingual approach in the classroom.

Paper: Something important that you learned and will implement
"I learned the importance of scaffolding language through peer interactions and plan to integrate more collaborative language activities in my lessons."

Scissors: Any practice you would like to change or remove
"I’d like to reduce repetitive language drills and focus more on project-based learning that allows students to use language in meaningful ways."........

Paper - The PD was about transferring factual understand to conceptual understanding to gain a deeper understanding of concepts through facts. The PD also suggested different strategies through which we can promote conceptual understanding in out UOI.

Scissors - I would like to implement the strategies given in the PD

Paper--Multilingualism enhances students' ability to understand things

The library and media Centre also helps in language learning so providing books in different languages ​​to students and motivating them to read .

Scissors --While explaining any topic to the students, it is important that it is explained in English only. The method of understanding can also be explained to them in their mother tongue.

Roli

Transferable, conceptual understanding is encouraged by focusing on big ideas, linking learning to real-world applications, and fostering inquiry and reflection. Interdisciplinary approaches, active engagement, and scaffolded instruction help students make connections and apply concepts across contexts, promoting deeper understanding and adaptability.

Strategies supporting the transfer of conceptual understanding include applying concepts to real-world situations, integrating interdisciplinary learning, and using problem-based approaches. Scaffolding, reflection, metacognition, and varied practice further enable students to internalize and adapt concepts across diverse contexts.

-Shiny.V (3M)

Paper: Something important that you learned and will implement
"I learned the importance of scaffolding language through peer interactions and plan to integrate more collaborative language activities in my lessons."

Scissors: Any practice you would like to change or remove
"I’d like to reduce repetitive language drills and focus more on project-based learning that allows students to use language in meaningful ways."

This structure allows for a comprehensive reflection that not only summarizes the session but also ties the learning to your teaching practices, highlighting both strengths and areas for growth.

Strategy: Model a ‘think aloud’ of the transfer of conceptual understanding.

2. Check for conceptual transfer using visual images

3. Engage in a scenario to experience a concept.

Durga Bhavani

The Nano PD session has reinforced the importance of focusing on conceptual understanding in education. Moving forward, I aim to adopt strategies that will encourage my students to connect, apply, and reflect on what they learn. By doing so, I hope to create a learning environment where students can develop a deeper, more transferable understanding of key concepts, preparing them for success both in and out of the classroom.

Conceptual Understanding as a Foundation

Role of Dialogue in Learning Transfer

Encouraging a Growth Mindset

Transferable, conceptual understanding is encouraged by focusing on core concepts, making connections between ideas, and emphasizing application over memorization. Strategies to implement this include:

1. Inquiry-based learning

2. Concept mapping

3. Real-world applications

4. Collaborative learning

5. Scaffolded instruction

These strategies help students transfer their understanding across subjects and situations.

Paper: I learned that every learner has a unique language profile that helps the school understand how to meet their individual needs. This supports the child in acquiring knowledge, developing skills, and building conceptual understanding

Scissors: I do not want to follow the monolingual in practice.

Ankita Shukla

Implementing concept-based learning in the classroom requires thoughtful planning, active student engagement, and a shift from traditional rote memorization to more dynamic, inquiry-based teaching.

Key Features:

1. Central Ideas: Lessons are structured around "big ideas" or overarching concepts, such as change, systems, or identity, rather than isolated topics.

2. Inquiry-based: Students explore concepts through questions, investigations, and discussions, fostering curiosity and independent thinking.

3. Transdisciplinary Learning: Concepts are applicable across different subjects, helping students see connections between science, literature, history, and more.

4. Global Contexts: Encourages understanding of issues from multiple perspectives, promoting international-mindedness.

Example:

In a science unit on ecosystems, the concept of interdependence might guide learning. Students examine relationships between organisms and their environment, connecting this idea to economic or social systems in other disciplines.

Benefits:

• Develops deeper understanding and transferable skills.

• Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.

• Prepares students for lifelong learning and real-world challenges.

Concept-based learning ensures students engage meaningfully with content and develop a holistic understanding of complex ideas.

The dialogue between Raffi and her dad likely plays a pivotal role in her ability to articulate and refine her thinking. Conversations like these encourage learners to verbalize their thought processes, which helps consolidate their understanding and facilitates transfer.

We can use provocations or open-ended tasks to promote inquiry-based learning to spark curiosity and critical thinking. To make real-life connections, we can Connect concepts to authentic scenarios to demonstrate their relevance. We can also integrate project-based learning, where students solve real-life problems.

Paper: An important thing I learned is the value of asking open-ended questions to explore connections between ideas. I will start implementing this by framing my learning and teaching around questions that encourage deeper understanding and reflection.

Scissors: I would like to change the habit of rushing through content just to cover the syllabus. Instead, I want to prioritize depth over breadth, ensuring there’s enough time to explore the underlying concepts thoroughly.

Concept-based learning engages with concept-based learning. It deepened understanding of how this approach beyond rote memorization and fosters a more profound, transferable understanding for students. It focuses on concepts and encourages students to think critically, make connections, and apply their learning across disciplines and real-life contexts. Implementing concept-based learning allows students to delve into meaningful inquiries and see the relevance of their studies in real-world contexts. It also enables me as an educator to design engaging and purposeful learning engagements.

Paper--Multilingualism enhances students' ability to understand things

The library and media Centre also helps in language learning so providing books in different languages ​​to students and motivating them to read .

Scissors --While explaining any topic to the students, it is important that it is explained in English only. The method of understanding can also be explained to them in their mother tongue.

Rock:Challenging: Balancing a deep exploration of concepts with the need to cover a wide range of content within the curriculum. Prioritizing on big ideas and enduring understandings overfacts.

Some students may struggle with higher-order thinking and abstract ideas,for them we need needi more scaffolding and should give more concrete examples.

Paper: : Real-world connections help students to understand that concepts can be applied across subjects, cultures, and contexts. Further encouraging students to explore real-world issues fosters higher-order thinking and inquiry. Would like to start each unit with a provocation that presents a real-world scenario or problem related to the key concepts where students can relate to real life context.

Scissors-I would like to implement technology integration and collaborative global projects, or using digital tools to analyze data or create presentations.help students to see connections between local and global perspective .

Paper - I want to implement different approaches that have been mentioned to make learning meaningful focusing on key concepts.

Scissor - I would like to add global connections by including more case studies worldwide. While we focused on key explorers and events, it would be interesting to study exploration from less commonly discussed regions or perspectives to develop international-mindedness further.

Paper:--Multilingualism enhances students ability to understand global perspective of any local problem and helps them to think beyond.

Scissors- I would like to give students an opportunity to choose a language to learn rather than the what system is offering them.

Paper: Something important that you learned and will implement
"I learned the importance of scaffolding language through peer interactions and plan to integrate more collaborative language activities in my lessons."

Scissors: Any practice you would like to change or remove
"I’d like to reduce repetitive language drills and focus more on project-based learning that allows students to use language in meaningful ways.".......Pallavi M

Paper: Something important that you learned and will implement
"I learned the importance of scaffolding language through peer interactions and plan to integrate more collaborative language activities in my lessons."

Scissors: Any practice you would like to change or remove
"I’d like to reduce repetitive language drills and focus more on project-based learning that allows students to use language in meaningful ways."

Concept - driven learning we as facilitators can bring a concept driven teaching to student who can inculcate and demonstrate through their key concepts which help students to understand deeper and show their learning in many ways.

Develop a language policy that aligns with the IB's mission and vision of holistic education and implement it effectively in the classroom.

Paper:

Explore how multilingualism can enhance students' capacity for critical thinking and global perspective, enabling them to address local issues within a broader context.

Scissors:

Empower students by providing them with the opportunity to select a language of study that aligns with their individual interests and learning goals, rather than solely relying on a predetermined curriculum.

How can we make connections from facts to concepts.

connecting concepts by using visuals.

Overall, concept-based learning empowers students to think beyond surface-level and promoting the student as a lifelong learner and the ability to solve complex problems creatively.

1.focuses on "why" and "how" rather than just "what."

2.Concepts act as bridges across subjects, allowing students to transfer and apply their learning.

3.Students investigate, question, and construct meaning rather than passively absorbing facts.

example:For instance, in geography, studying urbanization through local city survey by children encourages them to be engaged.

"Connect-Extend-Challenge" help students to deepen their understanding.

Grade-2K

Concept-Based Learning in the PYP focuses on helping students understand big ideas (concepts) that can be used in different situations, rather than just memorizing facts. It encourages students to think carefully, make connections between different subjects, and relate their learning to the real world, making it more meaningful. It ensures that students don’t just learn what to think, but how to think.

Paper I learned the value of using authentic materials to motivate language learning. I will incorporate more real-world texts and resources into my lessons. Peer interactions help language learning. I'll Create group activities for students to learn from each other. Encourage students to help each other with language skills.This will create a supportive and interactive language learning environment.

Rock - trying to hold myself from giving answers easily to students.

Paper:

Few strategies which I found to be useful are

1. " looks like"- what a concept of change looks like in math, language and english.

2. generating questions in a way that has the concept (target) as answers.

Scissors- none

It is clear from the scenarios that bringing interconnectedness among different disciplines and contexts is challenging but could be brought about through the use of different strategies and clear understanding of the concept through planning, discussion, the use of resources, the development of learning engagements in smaller and different contexts in unusual ways, and by making conceptual connections between objects and through processes.

Hence, I would use different strategies to explore the concept and learning engagements to build the conceptual understanding to create a student as a whole in learning and connecting to real-life situations.

I learned and understood about different strategies that support students in making a concept based learning and acquire ideas across subject and fostering critical thinking.

Paper: Today’s learning helped me to connect ideas and apply my understanding in designing the learning engagements in a way that give opportunities to the children to connect their learning to real life.

Scissors: I understood how to cut through misconceptions and challenges that students face. I can use visuals and hands on experiments wherein the students will understand easily without any misconceptions.

Paper : I learnt about how useful to document and support student's collaborative and individual actions.

Scissors: One practice I would like to change is over relying on rigid lesson plans. Having a clear lesson plan is important but flexibility and responsiveness is important for effective teaching.