Overview
The Pamoja Extended Essay course is an open course for which schools set their own internal deadlines. Therefore the course is designed to be flexible to meet a variety of school needs and to help both schools and students through the process. However, this flexibility cannot extend to the roles and responsibilities of the student, supervisor and school which are clearly laid out in the IB Guide, and explained below in relation to Pamoja Education.
It is important to remember that the EE is an independent study course, rather than a taught one. As a result, the Pamoja Extended Essay course is designed to guide students through the EE process independently rather than teach them and in this way follows the letter and spirit of the Extended Essay Guide.
“Part of the learning experience for students is to navigate their way through the extended essay independently. The benefits of the development of these skills are recognized when students progress to university and the workplace, and are expected to be able to manage their workloads and competing priorities” (Extended Essay Guide, p 28).
Submission
In the eyes of the IB, the Extended Essay is complete when a final essay has been submitted via IBIS. This must be accompanied by a signed and completed RPPF form, a predicted grade and a declaration of supervision hours.
Additionally, Pamoja Education mandatorily requires students to complete a candidate consent form. The purpose of this form is for the student to formally declare that their Extended Essay is their own work, and principles of academic honesty have been followed. Without this form, Pamoja Education cannot verify or submit students’ work.
The Supervisor
The IB stipulates that a student can have only one EE supervisor. It is therefore essential that the Pamoja supervisor is respected as the supervisor of record and no unauthorised supervisory support is given by the school. The supervisor role for the EE as undertaken with Pamoja Education is defined in the supervisors Schedule of Services, an overview of which is provided below. In principal, the role is designed to be supportive but light-touch, to allow for independent research and study. Pamoja expects its supervisors to:
- Provide supervision to students in line with IB guidance
- Support the student in devising an appropriate timeline for completion of the essay in line with the school’s requirements
- Provide feedback on submitted assignments
- Change deadlines in the EE course to fit the above agreed timeline
- Respond to student queries appropriately and in a timely manner (48 hrs initial response, Pamoja term time only)
- Meet with the student for the required reflection sessions and any appropriate “check-in “ sessions as agreed between the supervisor and the student, using the integrated conference tool in the online platform
- Ensure that all necessary steps are taken for the student to fulfil the mandatory EE requirements by the appropriate deadline
- Spend no more than 3-5 hours interacting with the student (including formal reflection sessions). A further 3-5 hours is allocated for supervisor preparation and draft review.
Supervisors should contact School Services if there is an issue associated with student non-engagement or where the supervisor believes there may be a breach of IB regulations relating to the EE.
The School Services Team contact email is courses@pamojaeducation.com.
School Responsibilities
Due to the open nature of the Extended Essay, practice amongst schools differs. Pamoja recognises this and has designed a flexible course to accommodate as far as possible the differing needs of schools. All schools should, however:
- Provide a supportive environment for the student to complete the essay
- Uphold IB standards in relation to the EE course
- Monitor the student’s progress throughout the course
- Follow up with the student where necessary, on engagement only
- Ensure the student is using the Pamoja course and submitting assignments within it
- Respect the autonomy of the Pamoja supervisor of record
Deviation from this guidance may result in Non-Completion of the Extended Essay.
Transfers in the Extended Essay course
Students are able and welcome to change subject areas in the Pamoja EE course so long as there is a supervisor available. Please be aware that every case will be considered individually the school may be charged for students transferring between supervisors.
Student Responsibilities
As an independent study course, it is important that you understand from the outset that responsibility for the successful completion of the Extended Essay lies with you. The IB recommends that you spend around 40 hours in total on the EE. This time should include, but not be limited to:
- Abiding by IB regulations relating to the Extended Essay
- Completing all the online elements of the Pamoja EE course
- Instigating and maintaining appropriate communication with the supervisor
- Arranging and attending the appropriate reflection sessions with the supervisor
- Responding to supervisor communications appropriately and in a timely manner (48 hrs initial response, Pamoja term time only)
- Communicating your school’s internal deadlines with your supervisor
- Ensuring that appropriate milestones are met in a timely manner
- Completing all mandatory elements of the EE courses
- Following supervisor guidance
Additionally, Pamoja Education mandatorily requires students to complete a candidate consent form. The purpose of this form is for the student to formally declare that their Extended Essay is their own work, and principles of academic honesty have been followed. Without this form, Pamoja Education cannot verify or submit students’ work.
If you have any queries relating to the Extended Essay, we recommend that you contact your supervisor directly. If, for any reason, your supervisor is inaccessible then you can contact Pamoja School Services Team by emailing courses@pamojaeducation.com.