Step 1: Get Inspired and Generate Ideas!
During this step it is essential that you do NOT yet limit your mind to a single idea or topic. The goal of this step is the very opposite: open your mind to as many of your interests and passions as possible -- let your mind generate as many ideas and paths of inquiry as possible!
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* Begin with this presentation: Introduction to the IA and Idea Generation
Task 1: Mind Mapping
Begin a mind map of your ideas by following these steps:
1. Generate a list of stimuli -- this is a list of words that capture your interests, hobbies, intellectual pursuits, or ideas that spark your curiosity!
A sample list of stimuli is given but, everyone will have a unique list.
2. Begin your mind map with your stimuli, with each stimulus being a hub from which many thoughts and ideas radiate. Let your mind wander freely, let the ideas flow naturally. Make connections as you see them.
3. Paste your growing mind map AND the curriculum mind map for this course to a large poster paper.
--> Analysis & Approaches Curriculum Mind Map
--> Application & Interpretation Curriculum Mind Map
4. Using the curriculum mind maps, begin to note mathematical ideas and approaches that can possibly be connected to or used to investigate or analyze your ideas. Again, be open and free in your thinking -- no idea, no connection is wrong or unjustified!
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Step 2: Get to Know the IA Rubric
* find 4 sample Mind Maps
in the presentation above !
Assessment Criteria Rubric with Additional Notes
* use this document every time you are working on your IA !
First, study this presentation, which introduces the Internal Assessment and
breaks down each Criterion and its requirements/expectations in detail.
--> The Internal Assessment: Criteria Described and Tips for Success <--
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Task 2: Read and Grade some Past IAs
Use the IA Assessment Criteria Rubric to grade past IAs.
* As you finish each, enter your Criterion Scores into THIS SHEET.
* Find the folder with the 4 IAs to be graded HERE
* Find more IA Samples in THIS FOLDER.
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* When done with the four IAs in the folder above, take a look at the IB Samples...
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Number Functions Geometry Probability
& Algebra & Modeling & Trigonometry & Statistics Calculus
Syllabus Topic
Step 3: Final Brainstorming and the IA Proposal
Did your mind mapping leave you wondering what more could be done?
Task 3:
Find more inspiration in the following sources below. As you browse and explore each source, document your thoughts in THIS SHEET (Analysis) or THIS SHEET (Applications). As you fill that in, read and consider the thoughts entered by your classmates, too!
--> Source 1: Exploration Ideas
--> Source 2: Are you wondering how an idea can lead to
an exploration? In the folder below, find some
modelling tasks which begin with some data or
a pattern which lead to exploration and modelling.
* find the folder of Sample Modelling tasks here
--> Source 3: Great Places to find Data Online
Consider how the many interesting data sets can
be connected to many personal interests!
--> Source 4: Inspiring Mathematics Online
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--> Source 5: Famous and Interesting Math Problems
--> Source 6: Sample IAs by Syllabus Topic
The best way to get a feeling for how SL math
topics can be used to explore is to see great
examples of IAs! Check out these sample IAs.
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Task 4: Immersing and Exploring
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Task 5:
You are now ready to Propose your selected IA Topic.
--> Download the Proposal Form. Complete it carefully.
--> Be very thorough in the section about what mathematics will be applied
and how you will apply it by referring to the course topic Mind Maps and
course syllabi (both are linked in the Proposal Form)
--> Be aware that once you have chosen a topic in this Proposal,
you are committed to this topic and cannot change it.
--> Submit your signed and dated Proposal.
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* Link to the Course Syllabi here:
Course Syllabus - Analysis and Appr.
Course Syllabus - Approaches and Int.
Step 4: IA Outline and Data Gathering
You've brainstormed. You've considered options. You've done some preliminary research. And, you've submitted your Proposal.
Now, it's time to begin your IA.
Task 6:
Before starting your Outline/Draft, consider how to write mathematically:
Article Sample 1 Sample 2 Language Usage
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As you review the four articles above, compile a list of
"mathematical writing tips" for yourself.
Submit your Google document list to Managebac.
Task 7:
Download this IA Outline Template.
Using the template, begin writing your IA.
For this task, the first two sections in the Outline/Draft will be checked:
- the Introduction
- the Research, Observations, Data Collection
Share your Outline/Draft Google document via Managebac.
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Step 5: Data Analysis
You have an outline and, if you have a data-based IA, you have a large collection of raw data. What now?
1. To start, each data variable can be described using basic descriptive statistics: mean, median, mode, quartiles, standard deviation, variance, and so on.
2. Then, each data variable can be represented using some type of visual representation: bar graph, histogram, pie chart, box and whisker plot.
3. Finally, relationships can be found between pairs of data variables using linear correlation. This can be bivariate (for one independent to one dependent variable) OR multivariate (several independent variables to one dependent variable).
4. Following that, other statistical tests (Chi Square, Goodness of Fit, and the T-Test) can be run depending what your analysis goals are.
* Pearson Correlation Coefficient -- Google Sheets template
* Chi-Square Test - Google Sheets template
Steps 3 and 4 are explained in more detail with video links in this document: IA Tips - Data Analysis
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