Graduates’ Reflections on the Impact of International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in Tertiary Education: A Case from Turkey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17501/26307413.2020.3102Keywords:
alumni reflections, impact study, learner profile, post-secondary education, international education,, International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgramAbstract
The purpose of this study is to explore International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
(IBDP) alumni’s perceptions of IBDP education as well as to investigate IBDP graduates’ reflections
about the extent to which the IBDP education has impacted their university study at the higher
education in the Turkish context. The study utilized a survey design analyzed quantitatively
(descriptive statistics) and qualitatively (content analysis) to collect data from IBDP alumni (N=170
out of 347) who graduated from 2012 to 2019 from a national private school implementing
international education in eastern Turkey. The results of the research revealed that participants
gained the IB learner profile attributes and learned how to become an internationally-minded
individual through the IB education. Specifically, research participants indicated that they gained
communicative skills in a foreign language, academic abilities such as researching as well as critical
and analytical thinking skills, which were transferred to their post-secondary education. However,
participants do not think that they are better prepared for the Turkish university entrance examination
through the IBDP education they received in their secondary education. This finding is significant to
show the dilemma between international education outcomes and university entrance examination
preparation. Students’ well-being is another possible area of investigation in the educational contexts
where students are expected to comply with the requirements of both national and international
education. These implications are significant for practitioners for IBDP implementation
improvements at secondary schools as well as for educators for promoting recognition of
international education at post-secondary institutions.
Keywords: alumni reflections, international education, International Baccalaureate Diploma
Program, impact study, learner profile, post-secondary education
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