School launches "Blended Learning Option" and announces comprehensive scholarship support for the IB Diploma

Dubai, UAE- 27th May, 2014

Starting this September, GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis ("WSO") will be offering Dubai students an exciting new way to study for the IB Diploma.   The school's new "blended learning option" will allow students to learn and collaborate online, within a close-knit global community of highly motivated students and experienced IB teachers, while remaining fully integrated in student life at WSO.

WSO, which has gained a reputation for high standards of teaching and learning, has made the integration of technology into its curriculum a top priority.  Now, IB Diploma students aged between 16-18 will have the chance to select the WSO blended learning option where they will learn and interact with classmates online, but will work from new high tech facilities at WSO.  Onsite staff and teachers will provide individual support and guidance to ensure that students receive full benefit from both their online studies and their face-to-face experience at WSO.

Online learning has been a part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for the past five years, and students have been achieving excellent results in online courses, but this is the first time students will be able to earn the full IB Diploma in a blended learning environment.  In launching the new programme, WSO is collaborating with Oxford-based Pamoja Education, the only organisation authorised by the IB to provide online instruction for the Diploma Programme. Online courses are designed to ensure that students fully engage in their subject learning and communicate effectively with their teachers and classmates, using a range of innovative online tools. All online teachers are highly qualified and highly experienced IB subject teachers, who have been specially trained in online teaching techniques.

At WSO, students who select the Academy's blended learning option will learn and collaborate in small cohorts of IBDP classmates from around the world. Their studies will include live online lessons, which allow them to interact with their teacher and classmates in "real time", as well as weekly assignments involving class discussions, blog entries, and other forms of online communication. Projects are designed to leverage the unique opportunities of the online environment, and are completed either individually or in teams with other online classmates, under close teacher guidance and supervision. 

The approach offers both structure and flexibility, enabling students to undertake weekly assignments at times and locations that best suit them, while also helping them develop independent learning skills. In addition to their online studies, students will attend a number of face to face classes to fulfil other requirements of their Diploma Programme and the GEMS WSO Diploma. The final IB examinations will be completed in the traditional manner, at WSO and qualifications will be identical to those earned by students in the traditional IB Diploma Programme at the school.

"By combining top-notch online instruction and a unique global experience with strong face-to-face mentoring and support at our school, we really are offering the best of both worlds" said Jon Halligan, Director of the IB programme at GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis. "Students choosing the Blended Learning Option are fully integrated in our student community, and have access to all of the resources and extra-curricular options available to students in our traditional IB programme."

The introduction of the "Blended Learning Option" at WSO is accompanied by a comprehensive programme of full and partial scholarships, co-sponsored by GEMS and Pamoja Education.  Interested students and parents are encouraged to attend one of the hour-long information sessions being offered by Jon Halligan and Ed Lawless, Principal of Pamoja Education, on Wednesday, May 28th at 6:30pm and Saturday, May 31st at 11am.

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For further information about the WSO IB Diploma Programme online including application details for the programme starting in September 2014, please check www.gemswellingtonacademy-dso.com or contact:

Jon Halligan
Assistant Principal Secondary (Director of IB)
GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis
P.O. Box 49746 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 (0) 4 342 4040
Email: j.halligan_wso@gemsedu.com

About GEMS Education:
GEMS Education is a pioneering education company. Through our schools, consulting practice and our charitable foundation we are advancing education for all. Every day in our schools around the world, we prepare thousands of children of all ages for real world success.

We are a catalyst and delivery partner.  GEMS Education Solutions works with governments, donor agencies and private clients to improve education systems, and provide vital training for young people in an increasingly competitive world.

Through the Varkey GEMS Foundation we campaign for, and support initiatives that change lives through education.

For more information, please contact:
Margaret Flanagan/ Rebecca Sageman 
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: (+971) 4 4507 600
Email: margaret.flanagan@bm.com /rebecca.sageman@bm.com

© Press Release 2014