IB learner's profile (attempt #2)

The IB Learner Profile

Use the right column to rank your current abilities in each category: (H)igh, (M)edium, or (L)ow

Inquirers	They develop their natural curiosity.  They acquire skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning.  They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.	M
Knowledgeable	They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance.  In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.	L
Thinkers	They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.	H
Communicators	They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication.  They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.	H
Principled	They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities.  They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.	H
Open-minded	They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities.  They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow form the experience.	H
Caring	They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others.  They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.	H
Risk-takers	They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies.  They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.	M
Balanced	They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.	H
Reflective	They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience.  They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.	M

            One category I feel that I particularly embody is the “balanced” category. I enjoy challenging myself in the classroom and work hard to learn the material, get good grades, and find things that I enjoy in school. However, I also realize that the grade I get on my next test or even my overall GPA is not as important as my overall happiness. I am involved in at least two sports every season, as well as working and participating in clubs. While sports take up lots of my time, I have found that it is a good way for me to balance my life and relieve any stress I may have. While I do have to budget my time well and still make sure to keep school as a priority, having lots of extracurricular activities enhances my intellectual well-being, keeps me physically fit, and provides an outlet for better emotional well-being.

            Another area that I feel confident in is the “communicators” category. I am defiantly a “people person” and I often do well working in groups with my peers. The reason I love working in groups is because you have the opportunity to learn from your peers, bounce ideas off each other, and constantly be checking each other. In addition, I believe that the ability to work well in a group that is extremely important in everyday life. For example, many jobs will require you to collaborate with coworkers on different projects, and without the proper communication skills you will not do well in the workplace.  In addition, these communications skills also translate into my everyday life while I am at work dealing with my boss, coworker, and customer I have to have good communication skills; and when I play sports on a team I have to be constantly communicating with them in order to be productive.

            One area that I feel like I could improve is the “knowledgeable” category. Often, I find myself so caught up in whatever topics I am currently learning in my classes that I forget to pay attention to what is going on in the world around me. During this coming year I would like to make it my goal to learn about a wide range of topics. I can do this by watching the news or stopping to read a few interesting newspaper articles each week. I believe by adding more enriching reading materials into my life, (like Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything) I can become more aware of the issues around the world.