Introduction
In the IB classroom, great learning begins with great questions. Concept-based teaching encourages students to explore why ideas matter, not just what they mean. By framing learning around concept-based questions, teachers invite curiosity, reflection, and connection — helping students see patterns and relationships that stretch across subjects and contexts.
These powerful questions transform learning into inquiry, inspiring students to think critically and reflect on their own understanding.
Quick Start Checklist
To craft effective concept-based questions:
- Identify the key concept or enduring idea in the unit.
- Phrase questions broadly enough to encourage multiple perspectives.
- Connect questions to real-world or global contexts.
- Use follow-up reflection to explore evolving answers.
- Revisit questions throughout the unit for deeper understanding.
Why Concept-Based Questions Work
Concept-based questions encourage higher-order thinking. They help students:
- Engage with meaning, not just content.
- Connect ideas across subjects and experiences.
- Reflect on change, perspective, and relationships.
- Build intellectual curiosity and intrinsic motivation.
This approach aligns directly with the IB mission to develop inquiring, reflective learners.
Crafting Strong Concept-Based Questions
An effective conceptual question should be:
- Open-ended: Prompts discussion rather than a single answer.
- Transferable: Applies across contexts and subjects.
- Reflective: Invites personal and ethical consideration.
Examples include:
- How does perspective shape truth?
- What makes innovation ethical?
- Why do systems change over time?
These questions guide students toward conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization.
Embedding Questions in the Learning Process
Teachers can embed concept-based questions at key stages:
- At the start: Introduce big ideas to activate curiosity.
- During inquiry: Revisit questions as students gather evidence.
- At the end: Reflect on how answers have evolved.
This structure transforms the classroom into an ongoing dialogue between ideas and experiences.
Reflection: The Partner of Curiosity
Reflection brings depth to conceptual inquiry. Encourage students to consider:
- How has my understanding of this concept changed?
- What connections did I find between this unit and others?
- How does this concept apply beyond school?
When curiosity meets reflection, understanding becomes enduring.
Linking Conceptual Questions to the IB Learner Profile
Concept-based teaching naturally builds IB Learner Profile attributes:
- Inquirers: Driven by curiosity and questioning.
- Thinkers: Analyzing patterns and perspectives.
- Communicators: Articulating complex ideas clearly.
- Reflective: Considering how understanding evolves.
Through this process, students become engaged, reflective learners who see knowledge as interconnected.
The Role of Teachers and Coordinators
To sustain concept-based inquiry, schools can:
- Encourage departments to build concept question banks.
- Align conceptual questions vertically across year levels.
- Provide time for teachers to reflect on student responses.
- Include conceptual dialogue in assessment and reporting.
Consistent use of concept-based questioning strengthens continuity and critical thinking across the IB continuum.
Call to Action
Concept-based questions spark curiosity, deepen reflection, and connect learners to big ideas that transcend subjects. They are at the heart of inquiry-based IB teaching.
Learn how RevisionDojo supports IB schools in developing reflective, concept-driven units that inspire lifelong learning. Visit revisiondojo.com/schools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What makes a question “concept-based”?
It explores universal ideas and relationships, inviting reflection and discussion rather than factual recall.
2. How often should teachers use concept-based questions?
Throughout the unit — to launch inquiry, guide exploration, and reflect at the end.
3. Can they be used in all subjects?
Yes — from mathematics to art, concept-based questions link thinking across disciplines.
4. How do these questions support IB goals?
They develop inquiry, reflection, and global-mindedness — essential IB attributes.
5. What’s the best way to assess responses?
Through reflection journals, discussions, or portfolio evidence that show evolving understanding.
