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Digital Society HL Exam Paper 3 (November 2024) Study Guide

Updated: 5 hours ago

STAGE ONE: Extended Inquiry Focus


5.3C Managing pollution and waste:

  • Pollution and waste monitoring

  • Pollution and waste prevention

  • Pollution and waste reduction




The World Economic Forum (WEF) Report from 2019, a New Circular Vision for Electronics

REPORT DETAILS:

Publication Information:

  • Released: January 2019

  • Venue: World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Davos, Switzerland

  • Platform: Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE)

  • Published in collaboration with: UN E-waste Coalition


KEY ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED:

Lead Organizations:

  • World Economic Forum (WEF)

  • World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

  • Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE)

  • UN Environment Programme


UN E-waste Coalition Members:

  • International Labour Organization (ILO)

  • International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

  • United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

  • United Nations University (UNU)

  • Secretariats of Basel and Stockholm Conventions


KEY PEOPLE & CONTRIBUTORS:

WEF Leadership:

  • Klaus Schwab (Founder and Executive Chairman, WEF)

  • Dominic Waughray (Managing Director, WEF)

  • Antonia Gawel (Head of Circular Economy Initiative, WEF)


Report Authors and Contributors:

  • David B. McGinty (Global Director, PACE)

  • Ruediger Kuehr (Director, UNU-SCYCLE)

  • Guy Ryder (Director-General, ILO)

  • Houlin Zhao (Secretary-General, ITU)


Industry Partners:

Representatives from:

  • Philips

  • Dell Technologies

  • Microsoft

  • Cisco Systems

  • HP Inc.


DEVELOPMENT PROCESS:

Research Phase (2018):

  1. Data collection from UN organizations

  2. Industry consultations

  3. Academic input

  4. Stakeholder workshops


Consultation Period:

  1. Multiple stakeholder meetings

  2. Expert reviews

  3. Industry feedback sessions

  4. Public sector input


Launch Event:

  1. World Economic Forum Annual Meeting

  2. Davos-Klosters, Switzerland

  3. January 2019


Key Concepts & Technologies:

Internet of Things (IoT) in Environmental Monitoring

  • Smart sensors for real-time pollution detection

  • Air quality monitoring networks

  • Water contamination detection systems

  • Connected waste bins with fill-level monitoring


Big Data Analytics in Waste Management

  • Predictive analytics for waste collection routes

  • Pattern recognition for pollution hotspots

  • Machine learning for waste sorting optimization

  • Environmental impact modelling


Blockchain in Waste Tracking

  • Supply chain transparency

  • Digital waste tracking systems

  • Smart contracts for waste management

  • Carbon credit verification


Key Organizations & Examples:

IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite

  • Uses AI to predict air quality and weather patterns

  • Helps businesses make environmentally conscious decisions

  • Real-life example: Deployed in Beijing for smog prediction


Waste Management (Company)

  • Smart waste bins with sensors

  • Automated route optimization

  • Digital recycling tracking


UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

  • World Environment Situation Room

  • Digital environmental monitoring platforms

  • Global real-time data collection


Google Environmental Insights Explorer

  • Maps carbon emissions in cities

  • Tracks air quality using Street View cars

  • Partners with local governments worldwide


Complexities & Challenges:

Technical Challenges

  • Sensor accuracy and reliability

  • Data integration across different systems

  • Infrastructure requirements

  • Cybersecurity concerns


Social Issues

  • Digital divide affecting implementation

  • Privacy concerns with monitoring systems

  • Cost of technology adoption

  • Public acceptance and education


Regulatory Challenges

  • Cross-border data sharing

  • Standardisation of monitoring systems

  • Compliance verification

  • International cooperation


Key Thinkers & Innovators:

Kate Raworth

Core Theory:

  • Economy must operate within two boundaries:

    • Social foundation (basic human needs)

    • Environmental ceiling (planetary boundaries)

  • The "safe operating space" is the doughnut-shaped area between these boundaries


Digital Technology Applications:

  • Smart City Implementation:

    • Amsterdam's City Doughnut

      • Digital monitoring of resource flows

      • IoT sensors tracking waste movements

      • Real-time environmental impact dashboards

      • Citizen apps for circular economy participation

  • Real-life Example: Amsterdam Digital City Portal

    • Uses AI to match unused resources with potential users

    • Digital platform for sharing economy initiatives

    • Real-time tracking of city's resource consumption

    • Connected to municipal e-waste collection systems


Andrew McAfee

Core Theory:

  • Technological progress enables dematerialization

  • Digital technology can help decouple economic growth from resource consumption

  • Four horsemen of the optimist:

    1. Technological progress

    2. Capitalism

    3. Public awareness

    4. Responsive government


Digital Technology Applications:

  • Cloud Computing:

    • Server virtualization reducing hardware needs

    • Shared computing resources

    • Digital optimization of resource use

  • Real-life Example: Microsoft's Cloud Efficiency Program

    • Reduced server waste by 80%

    • AI-driven optimization of data center resources

    • Digital tracking of hardware lifecycle

    • Automated recycling and repurposing systems


Ellen MacArthur

Core Theory:

  • Design out waste and pollution

  • Keep products and materials in use

  • Regenerate natural systems

  • Focus on "butterfly diagram" of technical and biological cycles


Digital Technology Applications:

  • Product Passport Systems:

    • Digital tracking of components

    • Blockchain-based material verification

    • IoT-enabled product monitoring

    • AI-powered predictive maintenance

  • Real-life Example: Cisco's Circular Economy Program

    • Digital product passport for networking equipment

    • AI-powered remanufacturing decisions

    • Automated testing and refurbishment

    • Cloud-based tracking of circular metrics


Real-Life Examples:

Singapore's Smart Nation Initiative

  • Smart sensors throughout the city

  • Automated waste collection systems

  • Real-time environmental monitoring


Amsterdam's Smart City Program

  • Digital waste tracking

  • IoT-based recycling systems

  • Citizen engagement apps


Seoul's Smart Waste Management

  • RFID-tagged bins

  • Pay-as-you-throw systems

  • Real-time collection monitoring


Key Organizations Leading Innovation:

Private Sector

  • Microsoft's AI for Earth

  • Rubicon Global (smart waste management)

  • TerraCycle (digital recycling programs)


Government Bodies

  • European Environment Agency (digital monitoring)

  • EPA's ECHO (Environmental Compliance History Online)

  • China's National Environmental Monitoring Center


Research Institutions

  • MIT Senseable City Lab

  • Ellen MacArthur Foundation

  • World Resources Institute


Key Elements from the “Digital Society Pre-released statement: Sustainable development For use in November 2024:

The scale of the Problem

  • 50 million tonnes of e-waste annually

  • Worth USD 62.5 billion

  • Only 20% recycled, 80% to landfills

  • 5% annual growth rate since 2014


Two Main Interventions

  • Recycling of e-waste (component recovery)

  • Reconditioning devices (second-hand market/donations to LEDCs)


Key Stakeholders

  • Donors and recipients

  • Hardware manufacturers

  • Recycling companies

  • Not-for-profit reconditioners


SCALE OF THE PROBLEM:

Annual Production

  • 2019: 53.6 million tonnes (Global E-waste Monitor 2020)

  • 2021: 57.4 million tonnes (estimated)

  • Value of raw materials in e-waste: $57 billion USD annually

  • Only 17.4% documented as properly collected and recycled


Growth Patterns

  • Annual growth rate: 2 million tonnes (approximately 3-4%)

  • Fastest growing domestic waste stream globally

  • Projected to reach 74.7 million tonnes by 2030

  • Growing 3x faster than world's population


Contributing Factors

  • Shorter Device Lifecycles

    • Smartphones: Average use duration decreased from 2.5 to 1.8 years (2016-2022)

    • Laptops: Average lifecycle reduced from 4 to 3 years (2017-2022)

  • Increasing Device Ownership

    • Global smartphone users: 6.8 billion (2023)

    • Personal computers in use: 2.3 billion (2023)

    • IoT devices: 15.14 billion connected devices (2023)


Geographic Distribution Analysis

  • Highest Per Capita Producers (2019-2021)

    • Norway

    • 28.5 kg per person

    • Total production: 150,000 tonnes

    • Collection rate: 76%

  • United Kingdom

    • 23.9 kg per person

    • Total production: 1.6 million tonnes

    • Collection rate: 42%

  • United States

    • 21 kg per person

    • Total production: 6.9 million tonnes

    • Collection rate: 15%


Largest Total Producers

  • China

    • Annual production: 10.1 million tonnes

    • Per capita: 7.2 kg

    • Collection rate: 30%

    • Hosts 25% of global e-waste recycling facilities

  • United States

    • Annual production: 6.9 million tonnes

    • Exports approximately 4 million tonnes

    • Only 15% recycled domestically

    • Economic value lost: $7.1 billion annually

  • India

    • Annual production: 3.2 million tonnes

    • Growing at 21% annually

    • Formal recycling: < 2%

    • Informal sector handles 95% of e-waste


Regional Analysis

  • Europe

    • Total production: 12.1 million tonnes

    • Highest collection rate globally: 42.5%

    • Most advanced e-waste legislation

    • Export restrictions through WEEE Directive

  • Asia

    • Produces 24.9 million tonnes

    • Fastest growing region

    • Houses 80% of global e-waste processing

    • Significant informal sector involvement

  • Africa

    • Produces 2.9 million tonnes

    • Lowest collection rate: < 1%

    • Receives 34% of global e-waste exports

    • Limited recycling infrastructure


KEY PROBLEMS:

Environmental Impact

Toxic Materials Release

  • Lead from CRT screens

  • Mercury from flat screens

  • Cadmium from circuit boards

  • Flame retardants from plastic casings


Health Hazards

Direct exposure risks:

  • Respiratory problems

  • Skin disorders

  • Eye irritation

  • Cancer risks from long-term exposure

This particularly affects informal recyclers in developing nations


Resource Waste

Valuable materials lost:

  • Gold in circuit boards

  • Rare earth elements

  • Copper wiring

  • Aluminum components

Estimated value: $62.5 billion annually in lost resources


REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES:

Agbogbloshie, Ghana

  • World's largest e-waste dump

  • Receives thousands of tonnes annually

  • Local workers (including children) burn cables for copper

  • Severe health and environmental impacts


Guiyu, China

  • Once world's largest e-waste site

  • River contamination from acid washing of components

  • High lead levels in local children's blood

  • Recent government intervention for regulated recycling


Delhi, India

  • Informal e-waste sector employs thousands

  • Unsafe recycling practices in residential areas

  • Groundwater contamination

  • Growing health concerns among workers


KEY CONCERNS:

Planned Obsolescence

  • Devices designed with limited lifespan

  • Software updates making hardware obsolete

  • Difficult-to-repair designs

  • Example: iPhone battery controversy


Digital Divide Impact

  • Dumping of obsolete technology in developing nations

  • Unsafe recycling practices in poor communities

  • Limited access to proper recycling facilities

  • Example: Nigerian computer village markets


Data Security

  • Improper disposal leading to data breaches

  • Confidential information on discarded devices

  • Identity theft risks

  • Example: Morgan Stanley's improper server disposal incident


Supply Chain Issues

  • Complex global movement of e-waste

  • Illegal trafficking

  • Limited transparency

  • Example: European e-waste found in African dumps


EMERGING CONCERNS:

New Technology Waves

  • 5G driving device replacement

  • IoT increasing number of connected devices

  • Cloud computing hardware demands

  • AI/ML hardware requirements


Consumer Behavior

  • Multiple device ownership

  • Rapid upgrade cycles

  • Fashion-driven technology purchases

  • Limited repair culture

Regulatory Challenges

  • Cross-border movement of e-waste

  • Different standards between countries

  • Limited enforcement capability

  • Example: Basel Convention compliance issues


SYSTEMIC ISSUES:

Economic Model

  • Linear economy approach

  • Limited manufacturer responsibility

  • Cost externalization

  • Profit-driven obsolescence


Infrastructure Gaps

  • Limited recycling facilities

  • Poor collection systems

  • Inadequate processing technology

  • Example: Rural areas lacking e-waste facilities


Knowledge Gap

  • Limited consumer awareness

  • Poor understanding of proper disposal

  • Lack of repair skills

  • Example: Right to Repair movement challenges




STAGE TWO: Explore and investigate challenges

Students explore sources and investigate their extended inquiry focus by considering some of the following questions.

  1. What is the relationship between digital systems and this challenge?

  2. What is the nature and scope of this challenge in digital society?

  3. What course concepts, content and contexts will be most helpful to consider with this challenge?

  4. How does this challenge manifest itself at local and global levels?

  5. Who are the specific people and communities affected by this challenge?

  6. What are some impacts and implications related to this challenge?


#1 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND THIS CHALLENGE:

Key Points:

  • Digital systems are both cause and potential solution

  • Rapid technological advancement drives obsolescence

  • Digital tracking enables better waste management

  • IoT and AI can optimize recycling processes


Research Areas:

  • Planned obsolescence in technology industry

  • Impact of software updates on hardware lifecycle

  • Digital solutions in waste tracking

  • Smart recycling technologies


Real Examples:

  • Apple's iOS updates affecting older iPhone performance

  • Dell's digital asset tracking system

  • Samsung's AI-powered recycling robots


#2 NATURE AND SCOPE IN DIGITAL SOCIETY:

Key Points:

  • Global supply chain issue

  • Crosses economic and social boundaries

  • Affects both producers and consumers

  • Digital divide implications


Research Areas:

  • Digital consumption patterns

  • E-waste flows between countries

  • Impact of digital transformation on waste generation

  • Role of social media in consumer behavior


Real Examples:

  • 5G rollout accelerating device replacement

  • Cloud computing's impact on server waste

  • Gaming console upgrade cycles


#3 RELEVANT COURSE CONCEPTS, CONTENT & CONTEXTS:

Potential Concepts:

2.1 Change

2.4 Power

2.6 Systems

2.7 Values & Ethics


Potential Content:

3.1 Data

3.3 Computers

3.6 Artificial Intelligence


Potential Contexts:

4.2 Economic

4.3 Environmental 4.6 Political


#4 LOCAL VS GLOBAL MANIFESTATION:

Key Points:

  • Local collection vs global processing

  • Different regulations by region

  • Varying technological capabilities

  • Economic disparities in handling


Research Areas:

  • Municipal e-waste programs

  • International waste trafficking

  • Regional recycling capabilities

  • Cross-border regulations


Real Examples:

  • New York's e-waste collection program

  • Agbogbloshie dump in Ghana

  • EU's WEEE directive implementation


#5 AFFECTED PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES:

Key Points:

  • Recycling workers in developing nations

  • Communities near e-waste dumps

  • Technology consumers

  • Manufacturing workers


Research Areas:

  • Health impacts on recycling communities

  • Economic opportunities in formal recycling

  • Consumer awareness and behaviour

  • Environmental justice issues


Real Examples:

  • Guiyu, China recycling community

  • Indian informal recycling sector

  • Silicon Valley cleanup initiatives


#6 IMPACTS AND IMPLICATIONS:

Environmental:

  • Toxic material leaching

  • Groundwater contamination

  • Air pollution from burning

  • Resource depletion


Health:

  • Exposure to hazardous materials

  • Respiratory issues

  • Long-term health effects

  • Occupational hazards


Economic:

  • Lost resource value

  • Recycling industry potential

  • Innovation opportunities

  • Job creation/loss


Social:

  • Digital divide expansion

  • Community displacement

  • Health inequities

  • Educational impacts


SUGGESTED RESEARCH PATHWAYS:

Technical Track:

  • Digital tracking technologies

  • Recycling innovations

  • Green design principles

  • Smart waste management


Social Track:

  • Community impact studies

  • Consumer behavior research

  • Educational initiatives

  • Policy effectiveness


Economic Track:

  • Circular economy models

  • Market dynamics

  • Investment opportunities

  • Cost-benefit analyses


Environmental Track:

  • Toxicity studies

  • Resource recovery rates

  • Environmental impact assessments

  • Remediation techniques


REAL-LIFE CASE STUDIES TO EXPLORE:

Corporate Initiatives:

  • Apple's Daisy recycling robot

  • HP's closed-loop recycling program

  • Dell's take-back scheme


Government Programs:

  • Japan's Home Appliance Recycling Law

  • EU's Right to Repair legislation

  • California's e-waste recycling fee


NGO Projects:

  • Basel Action Network's e-waste tracking

  • World Loop's e-waste solutions

  • Clean Electronics Production Network


Technology Solutions:

  • Blockchain in supply chain tracking

  • AI in waste sorting

  • IoT in collection optimization


STAGE THREE: Identify interventions

As part of the HL extension framework, students must identify at least one intervention for each prescribed area for inquiry. Interventions studied in the HL extension must involve digital systems, but they do not need to always refer to discrete devices, services, apps or platforms. A policy or rule change, for example, may also be considered as an intervention that involves digital systems. Intervention categories may overlap and inform one another, but each identified intervention must lend itself to a sustained investigation involving specific people and/or communities. Interventions may fall into one or more of the categories:

  • Mitigates ~ The intervention mitigates or reduces negative aspects relevant to a challenge.

  • Intercedes ~ The intervention intercedes to change a process and/or trend contributing to negative aspects relevant to the challenge.

  • Enhances ~ The intervention enhances positive or effective aspects relevant to a challenge.

  • Resolves ~ The intervention resolves negative aspects relevant to a challenge.


Pre-Release Nov 2024 Sustainable Development Internevtions:

Intervention 1: Recycling of e-waste

Recycling companies coordinate the collection of e-waste and recover valuable components that can be reused.


Intervention 2: Reconditioning of electronic devices

Not-for-profit organizations collect and recondition obsolete hardware to sell on the second-hand market or donate to organizations in less economically developed countries (LEDCs).


Interventions (not from the pre-release)


MITIGATES (Reduces Negative Impacts)

Apple's Daisy Robot System (2018-Present)

  1. Type: Automated Recycling Technology

  2. Impact: Disassembles 200 phones per hour

  3. Recovers: 15 different material types

  4. Digital Elements: AI-powered recognition, robotic precision

  5. Citation: Apple Environmental Progress Report 2022


Dell's Digital Tracking System (2019-Present)

  • Implementation: Blockchain-based tracking

  • Coverage: 100% of supply chain

  • Recovery: 2.1 billion pounds of used electronics

  • Digital Elements: IoT sensors, blockchain verification

  • Citation: Dell FY22 ESG Report


INTERCEDES (Changes Processes)

Microsoft's Circular Centers (2020-Present)

  • Focus: Server and datacenter equipment

  • Process: AI-driven reuse decisions

  • Impact: 83% reuse rate of cloud computing hardware

  • Digital Elements: Machine learning, digital inventory

  • Citation: Microsoft Sustainability Report 2021


Fairphone's Modular Design (2013-Present)

  • Approach: User-repairable smartphones

  • Features: Digital repair guides, online spare parts

  • Impact: 5+ years device lifespan

  • Digital Elements: AR repair assistance, online community

  • Citation: Fairphone Impact Report 2021


ENHANCES (Improves Positive Aspects)

Basel Action Network's e-Track System

  • Function: GPS tracking of e-waste

  • Coverage: Global monitoring

  • Impact: Exposed illegal trafficking routes

  • Digital Elements: GPS, digital mapping, real-time monitoring

  • Citation: BAN Annual Report 2021


HP's Digital Supply Chain

  • Implementation: AI-powered recycling optimization

  • Scale: Global operation

  • Impact: 1.7 million pounds of ocean-bound plastic recycled

  • Digital Elements: Digital twin technology, predictive analytics

  • Citation: HP Sustainable Impact Report 2022


RESOLVES (Addresses Root Causes)

European Union Digital Product Passport (2021-Present)

  • Scope: All electronic products sold in EU

  • Function: Digital tracking of components and materials

  • Impact: Complete lifecycle transparency

  • Digital Elements: QR codes, blockchain verification

  • Citation: EU Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0


Samsung's Galaxy Upcycling Program

  • Purpose: Repurpose old smartphones

  • Applications: IoT devices, medical devices

  • Impact: Extended life of 200,000+ devices

  • Digital Elements: Software updates, IoT integration

  • Citation: Samsung Sustainability Report 2022


EMERGING INTERVENTIONS

Digital Waste Marketplaces Examples:

  • BackMarket (France)

  • RePlated (US)

  • Circular Electronics Partnership Platform

  • Digital Elements: AI pricing, quality verification, blockchain tracking


AR/VR Environmental Education Applications:

  • Waste impact visualization

  • Recycling process education

  • Component identification

  • Digital Elements: AR overlays, VR environments, interactive learning


Smart Collection Systems Features:

  • IoT-enabled bins

  • Route optimization

  • Real-time monitoring

  • Digital Elements: Sensors, AI routing, digital payments


STAGE FOUR: Evaluate interventions and recommend steps for future action

As part of the HL extension framework, students must evaluate at least one intervention for prescribed area for inquiry and consider recommended steps for future action.

Equity:

  • Does the intervention equitably address the needs, claims and interests of specific people and/or communities affected by the challenge?

  • This may involve, for example, considerations of fairness, inclusion and reciprocity.

  • What are the recommended steps to address inequities?

  • How could the intervention be made more equitable for more people?

 

Acceptability:

  • Do specific affected people and/or communities view the intervention as acceptable?

  • This may involve, for example, considerations of accountability and transparency for people and communities.

  • What are the recommended steps to address the acceptability of the intervention for the affected people and/or communities in question?

  • How could the intervention be made more accountable and transparent?

 

Cost:

  • What are the financial, social, cultural and environmental costs associated with the intervention?

  • Do these costs outweigh the benefits of the intervention?

  • What are the recommended steps to address costs to ensure a better balance with the benefits of the intervention?

 

Feasibility:

  • Is the intervention technically, socially and politically feasible?

  • What are some of the current or emerging barriers to implementing the intervention?

  • What are the recommended steps to address some of these barriers?

 

Innovation:

  • Is the intervention innovative in its approach or has this approach been unsuccessfully attempted before?

  • What type of innovation is the intervention? For instance, an incremental, sustaining and/or disruptive innovation?

  • What are the recommended steps to adapt or refine the intervention to avoid risks, failures or limitations?

 

Ethics:

  • Is the intervention ethically sound?

  • How and who determines the ethical status of the intervention?

  • What are the recommended steps to ensure that the intervention is developed and/or used in an ethical manner?

 

By the end of the course, students must be able to identify, analyse and evaluate an intervention for each challenge topic. Students must also be able to recommend steps for future action in response to an unseen intervention.


Asssessment Criteria: Paper 3: Cultivating a challenge mindset

  • Paper 3 invites HL students to cultivate a challenge mindset by responding to a proposed digital intervention to a global challenge relevant within digital society.

  • A pre-release statement describing the real-world nature of a selected challenge (250–400 words) will be released four months prior to the examination.

  • Students are recommended to spend about 10–15 hours on extended inquiries based on the pre-release statement.

  • In the examination, students evaluate a specific intervention using a rigorous policy-informed framework and make recommendations for future action.


Paper 3 Markscheme for Question 3 (HL)

In addition to paper-specific analytic markschemes used for all questions, marks for question 3 are also allocated using markbands. While level descriptors are written in the form of individual bullet points, markbands are applied holistically using a best fit approach.

  • The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

 

1–2

  • The response shows a limited understanding of the demands of the question.

  • Response is of limited relevance. The response is descriptive and consists mostly of unsupported generalizations.

  • The response has limited organization.

 

3–4

  • The response shows some understanding of the demands of the question.

  • The response is primarily descriptive with some evaluation demonstrated but this is not sustained or fully supported.

  • The response is partially organized.

 

5–6

  • The response shows adequate understanding of the demands of the question.

  • Response demonstrates adequate evaluation that is relevant and supported.

  • The response is adequately organized.

 

7–8

  • The response is focused and shows an in-depth understanding of the demands of the question.

  • Response demonstrates sustained evaluation that is relevant and well-supported throughout.

  • The response is well-structured and effectively organized.


Paper 3 Markscheme for Question 4 (HL)

Marks for Question 4 are allocated using markbands. While level descriptors are written in the form of individual bullet points, markbands are applied holistically using a best-fit approach.

0

  • The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below

 

1-3

  • The response shows a limited understanding of the demands of the question

  • The response consists mostly of unsupported generalizations with limited relevant knowledge

  • No recommendations are presented or those that are presented have only limited support

  • The response has limited organization

 

4-6

  • The response shows some understanding of the demands of the question

  • The response demonstrates some knowledge, but this is not always relevant or accurate and may not be used appropriately or effectively

  • Recommendations are presented with some support although this is not sustained and only partially effective

  • The response is partially organized

 

7-9

  • The response shows adequate understanding of the demands of the question

  • Response is adequately supported with relevant and accurate knowledge

  • Recommendations are presented and effectively supported

  • The response is adequately organized

 

10-12

  • The response is focused and shows an in-depth understanding of the demands of the question

  • Response is well-supported throughout with relevant and accurate knowledge

  • Recommendations are presented and well-supported with a clear consideration of possible trade-offs and implications

  • The response is well-structured and effectively organized


IB Digital Society Grade Boundaries

Grade 7

Demonstrates: conceptual awareness, insight, and knowledge and understanding which are evident in the skills of critical thinking; a high level of ability to provide answers which are fully developed, structured in a logical and coherent manner and illustrated with appropriate examples; a precise use of terminology which is specific to the subject; familiarity with the literature of the subject; the ability to analyse and evaluate evidence and to synthesize knowledge and concepts; awareness of alternative points of view and subjective and ideological biases, and the ability to come to reasonable, albeit tentative, conclusions; consistent evidence of critical reflective thinking; a high level of proficiency in analysing and evaluating data or problem solving.

 

Grade 6

Demonstrates: detailed knowledge and understanding; answers which are coherent, logically structured and well developed; consistent use of appropriate terminology; an ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesize knowledge and concepts; knowledge of relevant research, theories and issues, and awareness of different perspectives and contexts from which these have been developed; consistent evidence of critical thinking; an ability to analyse and evaluate data or to solve problems competently.

 

Grade 5

Demonstrates: a sound knowledge and understanding of the subject using subject-specific terminology; answers which are logically structured and coherent but not fully developed; an ability to provide competent answers with some attempt to integrate knowledge and concepts; a tendency to be more descriptive than evaluative (although some ability is demonstrated to present and develop contrasting points of view); some evidence of critical thinking; an ability to analyse and evaluate data or to solve problems.

 

Grade 4

Demonstrates: a secure knowledge and understanding of the subject going beyond the mere citing of isolated, fragmentary, irrelevant or “common sense” points; some ability to structure answers but with insufficient clarity and possibly some repetition; an ability to express knowledge and understanding in terminology specific to the subject; some understanding of the way facts or ideas may be related and embodied in principles and concepts; some ability to develop ideas and substantiate assertions; use of knowledge and understanding which is more descriptive than analytical; some ability to compensate for gaps in knowledge and understanding through rudimentary application or evaluation of that knowledge; an ability to interpret data or to solve problems and some ability to engage in analysis and evaluation.

 

Grade 3

Demonstrates: some knowledge and understanding of the subject; a basic sense of structure that is not sustained throughout the answers; a basic use of terminology appropriate to the subject; some ability to establish links between facts or ideas; some ability to comprehend data or to solve problems.

 

Grade 2

Demonstrates: a limited knowledge and understanding of the subject; some sense of structure in the answers; a limited use of terminology appropriate to the subject; a limited ability to establish links between facts or ideas; a basic ability to comprehend data or to solve problems.

 

Grade 1

Demonstrates: very limited knowledge and understanding of the subject; almost no organizational structure in the answers; inappropriate or inadequate use of terminology; a limited ability to comprehend data or to solve problems.

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