The main purpose of the conference was to exchange experience, to present the research carried out by the school, to translate the best practices of the school in learning and teaching.

 

Sabyrzhan Saduakasov, the Principal of Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Nur-Sultan, said that in the formation of the student as a personality it is necessary to conduct a full study of the characteristics, psychological, physiological needs and interests of the student. According to the head of the school, establishing a positive relationship between the teacher and the student and on this basis guiding the student is the main requirement of today.

 

Pedagogical leadership is the leadership of the teacher, students and participants in the educational process. Francesco Banchini, experienced leader, the Principal of European Azerbaijan School, spoke about this.

– The International Baccalaureate and the Council of International Schools (CIS) are external organisations which help us to understand our strengths and weaknesses, where we stand and what we need to do. The welfare and all-round development of students is very important to the IB and CIS. Both students and teachers need to develop research, planning, thinking and action (ATL) skills. Some students cannot explain the meaning of creativity. To be creative is to let students’ talent and unbridled imagination run wild. It is also the skill of not being afraid of risk. The skill of dealing with the vast flow of information around us, – said teacher-researcher Francesco Banchini.

 

During the meeting the moderator teachers, experts from the International Baccalaureate School in the capital gave masterclasses on «Development of Learning Skills», «Learning in the context of the International Baccalaureate», «Approaches to Learning» and «Interdisciplinary Learning».

 

Teachers made presentations on «Development of Learning Skills»: Kazakh language and literature teachers Gulnapis Kusherbaeva, Ayagoz Barlubaeva – «Middle Year Programme: How to Teach ATL Skills in the Classroom?», teachers of Russian language and literature Dinara Kozhakhmetova, Samal Shayakhmetova – «How does the use of text critical analysis strategies contribute to the development of essay writing skills?», teacher of Kazakh language and literature Tolkyn Shomshekova – “International Baccalaureate. Diploma programme. External assessment for the course Literature (standard level): effective ways to teach a comparative essay (Paper 2)». In the direction of «Teaching in the context of International Baccalaureate» teachers shared their professional skills: English teacher Gauhar Halyk – «A significance of students’ reflection in the classroom led by effective use of questions and assessing higher-order cognition», teachers of Russian language and literature Maya Asanbayeva, Klara Omarova – «How to develop international thinking in MYP students?». Gulmira Kurmangalieva, Meruert Ziyatbek and Gulden Syzdykova, teachers of Kazakh language and literature – «The role of creative work in the development of writing skills». In the direction of «Approaches to Learning» teachers presented master classes on the following topics: history teacher Raushangul Zholdybaeva – «TRIZ Pedagogy – as a Tool for Forming Students’ Creative Thinking Skills», chemistry teachers Almagul Serikkalieva, Bakytbek Dulatov, Nesibeli Nuridin – «What strategies and techniques are most successful in helping students develop data processing and evaluation skills?» and biology teacher Lyazzat Akshalova – «Strategies and Ideas for Differentiating the Teaching and Learning Process in Biology Lessons». In the direction of «Interdisciplinary Learning» teachers demonstrated interdisciplinary contact in learning on topics: ATL coordinator Firuza Ilyasova, teacher of Kazakh language and literature Meruert Ziyatbek, teacher of informatics Alua Alieva – «Approbation and organization of interdisciplinary learning in the Basic High School program through the use of a global context in order to realize the values of the school and the MB student profile», teacher of Kazakh language and literature Aliya Baizhanova and teacher of arts Aliya Mazhyn – «How does interdisciplinary learning affect the effective development of students’ research skills?», history teachers Medet Bayzhakanov and Vladimir Rybkin – «From Paper 1 to Internal Assessment: Developing research skills of students of the Diploma Program on the subject of «History»», social sciences teachers Akbota Sultanbekova and Meruert Alieva – «Teacher’s kit: differentiation-oriented Activities».

 

More than 170 teachers from schools of Nur-Sultan and Azerbaijan participated in the conference, which was held on the platforms of Zoom and Google Meet. The informative and highly organised meeting generated excitement and positive feedback from all participants.