The IB Areas of Interaction

The Areas of Interaction (AOI's) are common interactive themes embedded in the subject groups, but they are not subject disciplines in their own right. They are common to all disciplines and require all teachers to teach their subject content in a way that encourages students to become increasingly aware of the connections between their learning and the real world around them. Furthermore, the AOI's help students to appreciate the interrelated connections between the eight different subject groups. The AOI's act as a "lens" for students to view the content through, helping them to transfer their learning from one subject group to the next - promoting a deeper understand of knowledge.

The 5 Areas of Interaction are:

Approaches to Learning (ATL)
Through ATL teachers provide students with the tools to enable them to take responsibility for their own learning. Students develop an awareness of how they learn best, utilizing multiple thought processes and learning strategies. Students are consistently taught and encouraged to develop the skills necessary to be a more effective learner across the various content areas, and be successful in meeting the requirements of our more rigorous, higher-level classes.

Community and Service
This component requires students to take an active part in the communities in which they live, thereby encouraging responsible citizenship.

Human Ingenuity
Students explore, in multiple ways, the processes and products of human creativity. This leads to students developing an understanding of the human capacity to influence, transform, enjoy and improve the quality of life.

Environments
This area aims to develop students' awareness of their interdependence with the environment so that they may fully understand and accept their responsibilities to the world in which we live, and the people we share this world with.

Health and Social Education
This area deals with physical, social and emotional health and intelligence - key aspects of development leading to complete and healthy lives.