What MYP concepts could be

Recently I have been thinking about worldviews that influence the way that we think. Whilst this approach would sit well within the DP it is too sophisticated for the MYP. That said, the sophistication level of PYP key concepts (certainly in terms of usage) sits higher in PYP than MYP. I want to justify this claim in defining what I think a key concept should aim to do.

But before we start on this journey, let’s get one thing clear: key concepts don’t really facilitate transfer and making that their aim, since they don’t manage it very well, weakens their value .

Instead (as I have written more fully in another article) I want to position the role of key concepts differently. Key concepts offer a framework for making meaning of things. They are not constrained to a single generalisation. Instead they have space for a diversity of views. They create space for the evolution of emergent new ideas. They are dynamic, vibrant and full of potential meaning (both from the past but also of the future). This is because the actual meanings of each concept is very contextual (for both the situation and for the person using the concept); they are hugely value laden and perspectives on each will differ. But that is a good thing. We want learners to build personal meaning based on their personal (yet informed) connection to a concept. In addition they allow a chance for evaluation and reflection (even at times adaptation) of a set of views that may be present but prior unnoticed.

This is why I argue that PYP does key concepts well. Form, Function, Causation, Change, Connection, Perspective, and Responsibility. They all offer a way of looking at an issue and trying to make some sense of it. What is it like? What does it do? What caused it? What effect will it have? What is it connected to? What do we think about it? What should we do about it?? I think we can use this model for the MYP.

"Old keys do not open new doors"

The current MYP concepts don’t really do that very well. They connect the disciplines (poorly in my opinion) but they don’t really offer a good framework to make meaning with them. So here is the list that I would use that builds on from the thinking of the PYP and stretches towards the idea of worldview understanding that I have shared wrt to the DP:

Values - What priorities do we (and our institutions) hold that influence the decisions and opinions that we hold? Are they cultural, social, religious, economic, ethical or political (or a mix of these)? Are we too quick to judge another's values as deficit?

Reasoning - What type of thinking is being adopted here? Is it linear, circular or interrelational? It is based on rational argument (logic in old language) or an appeal to greater emotional and relational connection?

Progress - We all want things to improve but what are our priorities here? Do we want better results, higher income, or a type of development that is more sustainable? How important is the bottom line in comparison to less quantifiable things like wellbeing and happiness? Do we all agree what are the best goals to be aiming at?

Power - Should we submit to authority, in compliance, without questioning the narrative or is personal autonomy vital? What are the downsides of total freedom? Is freedom possible for the powerless? What responsibility do we have to do use our freedoms in the right way?

Diversity - How come so many people come to different conclusions? Is this a bad thing? Do we need to hybridise opinions or adopt the best one or simply be comfortable with the differences? Are critics and sceptics welcome in the debate? Are all groups represented at the discussion table?

Uncertainty - Can we ever really know that we have the correct answer or opinion? Especially in complex systems, are answers actually unknown until they emerge? What about all those unintended consequences, can we always predict all the impacts of change?

Hope - Can we trust those making decisions are best placed to make the call? Could better things emerge when we come together and take our own actions??What role does human creativity have in seeing beyond our immediate concerns to something better?

I have chosen 7 (there could be more) but this number seemed to work well in the PYP and to be honest if an MYP student emerged after 5 years of immersion in these ideas and discussions, I think that they would be competent to make meaning in these 7 areas and for that I would be delighted! I am convinced that it would lead to far deeper levels of understanding and sophistication than what we already have.

Postscript: I recognise that there is currently a huge push to increase the effectiveness of the concepts within the disciplines. I support this work wholeheartedly. But equally, we cannot ever consider dropping concepts that act in an interdisciplinary way (the so called key concepts - though really the name is not what matters here). Sure they haven’t really worked thus far, but there are reasons for that. What we must do now, as we consider enhancing the MYP, is get these crucial concepts right!