David C.
Holds Ph.D. in International Education with 25+ Years of Teaching Experience.
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About
David C.
Hello and welcome to the world of IB History and ToK, my professional passions since 1981. My name is David, and I would like to help you prepare for you IB exams and your essay writing assignments. My teaching experiences took place in Atlantic Canada and at the United World College of the Adriatic in Duino, Italy. My IB experiences were also varied in responsibility. In retirement and for twelve years I was blessed to work with grade 11 and 12 IB students as we created an annual weekend conference that asked and answered the question: Why IB? The event drew 250 IB students per year and was both challenging and fun. I am a published author and am keen to share my IB experience and enthusiasm. Are you ready?
For Historians
Historians want to gather and consider knowledge of the recorded past. The object of historical study is very different in nature from other areas of knowledge. The fact that history is by its very nature no to present anymore, makes this area of knowledge quite unique. Historians cannot observe anything from the past in real time. This makes it much more difficult to claim something with certainty when we talk about the past. In this sense, a learner may wonder whether what it means when we talk about a historical fact. Although historians base their findings on evidence, the interpretation of this evidence is key to the creation of historical knowledge.
For TOK
The Theory of Knowledge is an intriguing study providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. The always thorny issues presented in the ToK provide ample opportunity for debate and consideration. Our discussions in ToK are invariably challenging and worthwhile but the mental gymnastics are always worth the time and effort.
A ToK study aims to make students aware of the interpretative nature of knowledge, including personal ideological biases – whether these biases are retained, revised or rejected. Further, it offers students and their teachers the opportunity to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and on areas of knowledge while considering the role and nature of knowledge in their own culture, in the cultures of others and in the wider world.
Teaching Experience
2002 - 2009 @ Saint Mary’s University
Part-time Professor Department of History
1996 - 2002 @ Mount Saint Vincent University
Part-time Professor Junior / Senior High Social Studies Methods Faculty of Education
1978 - 1998 @ Park View Education Centre, Bridgewater, N.S.
Department Head, Social Studies
1992 - 1993 @ United World College of the Adriatic Duino, Italy
Head of History
1972 - 1978 @ Chester Municipal High School
Principal (Grades 7-12)
1968 - 1972 @ Chester Municipal High School
History Teacher (grades 10-12)
Additional Professional Activities and Achievements:
2011 - 2015 Examinations Inspector International Baccalaureate
2007 - 2015 Student advisor and founder of ACC IB, an annual IB student conference asking the question: “Why IB?”
2005 - 2007 Global Classroom Initiative --“Voices of Youth”
I was lead researcher and writer for the Nova Scotia portion of the CIDA operative to update curricula offerings to high school students. This has involved creative writing and researching in partnership with Red Cross, Crossroads Canada, Coady, ACIC
2002- 2010 Co-Chair of the Park View International Baccalaureate Society
This organization has been created to help with the revitalization and enhancement of the IB program at Park View Education Centre. It is also mandated to encourage academic enrichment for all students throughout the district.
2003 - 2007 Initiator of Park View IB Society’s first annual Knowledge Festival, a student / teacher / parent celebration of knowledge
The Knowledge Festival continued as an annual event until April 2015 with 1,000 student participants and 5,000 attendees each year.
2003- 2006 Workshop leader for International Baccalaureate History teacher-training sessions in Danvers Massachusetts, Ottawa, and Savannah, Georgia
2000 - 2003 Member of the MSVU team working with teachers and curriculum developers who were redefining Social Studies in Trinidad and Tobago
1996 - 1998 Director of the International Student Program of the Southwest Regional School Board
The Nova Scotia Department of Education and the Southwest Regional School Board jointly sponsored this pilot programme. Activity for this appointment included participation at Educational Fairs in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur where pertinent on-going educational relationships were established.
1995 - 1996 Workshop leader for an Asia Pacific Foundation’s conference in Halifax, developing a relationship between the APF and the Nova Scotian public school program
1989 - 1993 Co-author, team leader of the Nova Scotia Grade 12 Global History textbook, Viewpoints, published by Prentice-Hall