The four Stages of development
There are four phases that the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
has created: Investigating, Planning, Taking Action, and Reflecting. These represent the four stages of
any project. These help organize the project and show the progress and
development of the project.
The following is the definition of each as
stated by the IBO and how these
four stages went for me:
Investigating: "Students define a clear goal and global context for the project, based on personal interests. Students identify prior learning and subject-specific knowledge relevant to the project. Students demonstrate research skills." (IBO)
Planning: "Students develop criteria for the product/outcome. Students plan and record the development process of the project. Students demonstrate self-management skills." (IBO)
Taking Action: "Students create a product/outcome in response to the goal, global context and criteria. Students demonstrate thinking skills. Students demonstrate communication and social skills" (IBO)
Reflecting: "Students evaluate the quality of the product/outcome against their criteria. Students reflect on how completing the project has extended their knowledge and understanding of the topic and the global context. Students reflect on their development as IB learners through the project" (IBO)
has created: Investigating, Planning, Taking Action, and Reflecting. These represent the four stages of
any project. These help organize the project and show the progress and
development of the project.
The following is the definition of each as
stated by the IBO and how these
four stages went for me:
Investigating: "Students define a clear goal and global context for the project, based on personal interests. Students identify prior learning and subject-specific knowledge relevant to the project. Students demonstrate research skills." (IBO)
Planning: "Students develop criteria for the product/outcome. Students plan and record the development process of the project. Students demonstrate self-management skills." (IBO)
Taking Action: "Students create a product/outcome in response to the goal, global context and criteria. Students demonstrate thinking skills. Students demonstrate communication and social skills" (IBO)
Reflecting: "Students evaluate the quality of the product/outcome against their criteria. Students reflect on how completing the project has extended their knowledge and understanding of the topic and the global context. Students reflect on their development as IB learners through the project" (IBO)
The four phases
investigating
defining a clear goal
When I began this project, I felt that defining a goal would be one of the easier parts of this process,
but I soon found out that I did not have a clear goal in mind. Originally, I went in thinking that
creating a painting was my only goal. As I investigated the different styles, I realized that, although
I had an idea, I did not have a well-formed goal. My supervisor, during our meetings, helped me
determine the name of the painting style I was interested in and how to successfully achieve the
look I wanted. We worked on how different mediums would help me achieve the look I wanted.
After working with my supervisor for a bit, we came to the conclusion that my goal would be, to
create and art piece that expresses a landscape and that will be under the category of impasto
artwork. I then evaluated the Global Context list and determined that my interests aligned with
Personal and Cultural Expression. Using this Global Context and my goal, I developed criteria
that are relevant to the product I want.
but I soon found out that I did not have a clear goal in mind. Originally, I went in thinking that
creating a painting was my only goal. As I investigated the different styles, I realized that, although
I had an idea, I did not have a well-formed goal. My supervisor, during our meetings, helped me
determine the name of the painting style I was interested in and how to successfully achieve the
look I wanted. We worked on how different mediums would help me achieve the look I wanted.
After working with my supervisor for a bit, we came to the conclusion that my goal would be, to
create and art piece that expresses a landscape and that will be under the category of impasto
artwork. I then evaluated the Global Context list and determined that my interests aligned with
Personal and Cultural Expression. Using this Global Context and my goal, I developed criteria
that are relevant to the product I want.
iDENTIFYING prior learning
Before I begun this project I knew quite a bit about painting. Since I was little I had been painting
and creating art using different mediums and styles. I identified before I started this project that
I knew how to use paint and how to paint on a canvas. I also established that I knew how to use the
many tools of an artist. Since my family has a background in art I decided to go with this a subject
that I knew quite a bit about. I was debating whether to do a painting or dance since I have been
doing both since I was very young. what pushed me to decide to do art was my distance from it.
I have not been focusing on painting for a long time, even though I take art classes at school, I am
much more confident in my dance than in my art. This was the deciding factor in me choosing
a painting over choreographing a dance. I am not super proficient in this style so I only knew what
was theoretically required to painting in impasto. This was important in defining my prior knowledge
since there is very little of it.
and creating art using different mediums and styles. I identified before I started this project that
I knew how to use paint and how to paint on a canvas. I also established that I knew how to use the
many tools of an artist. Since my family has a background in art I decided to go with this a subject
that I knew quite a bit about. I was debating whether to do a painting or dance since I have been
doing both since I was very young. what pushed me to decide to do art was my distance from it.
I have not been focusing on painting for a long time, even though I take art classes at school, I am
much more confident in my dance than in my art. This was the deciding factor in me choosing
a painting over choreographing a dance. I am not super proficient in this style so I only knew what
was theoretically required to painting in impasto. This was important in defining my prior knowledge
since there is very little of it.
research skills
Often times I do most of my research online, this however, was an art project, so I decided to go out
and look at art in person. I went to the Crocker Art Museum, this is a local museum that had many
examples that I decided to look at for my inspiration. This was a good place to gather research,
because of the many paintings by various artists that are gathered there. This gave me many
sources to evaluate, and gather valuable information; like whether they used oil or acrylic paint, or
wood or canvas. I also went to Second Saturday. This is an art walk type of event that happens every
second Saturday of the month in downtown Sacramento. I went to the many galleries that are involved
and met some of the artists that display their art in these places. I got advice from them on what tools
to use and how to lay on the paint. Meeting artists and looking at real life examples gave more
supplemental information than online research would have.
and look at art in person. I went to the Crocker Art Museum, this is a local museum that had many
examples that I decided to look at for my inspiration. This was a good place to gather research,
because of the many paintings by various artists that are gathered there. This gave me many
sources to evaluate, and gather valuable information; like whether they used oil or acrylic paint, or
wood or canvas. I also went to Second Saturday. This is an art walk type of event that happens every
second Saturday of the month in downtown Sacramento. I went to the many galleries that are involved
and met some of the artists that display their art in these places. I got advice from them on what tools
to use and how to lay on the paint. Meeting artists and looking at real life examples gave more
supplemental information than online research would have.
planning
developing criteria
When I came up with a clear goal it helped me create specific criteria. First I created a list of things
that I wanted my project to be. I started this by establishing what I wanted my final product to look like
and the steps I wanted to take in order to finish the painting. I wrote out the specific things that I
wanted my painting to have. I started with the main things such as having three different textures
and painting a landscape. Once I had these fundamental guidelines I painted a few rough drafts depicting
what I wanted the final product to look like. I utilized these rough draft paintings as guidelines for
my final product.
that I wanted my project to be. I started this by establishing what I wanted my final product to look like
and the steps I wanted to take in order to finish the painting. I wrote out the specific things that I
wanted my painting to have. I started with the main things such as having three different textures
and painting a landscape. Once I had these fundamental guidelines I painted a few rough drafts depicting
what I wanted the final product to look like. I utilized these rough draft paintings as guidelines for
my final product.
project development
I tracked my progress on the ManageBac website. This was a helpful tool for me because whenever
I worked on my project I recorded it and kept track of my progress through all of my entries. I
recorded the progress and checked in with my supervisor periodically to make sure that my project
was coming along at a decent rate. I had planned large tasks that I needed to do, I kept these on
Managebac in a checklist. These I checked off as I completed each one. After I had finished all of the
tasks on my checklist, I moved on to sketching out what I needed to do on the calendar I use to
manage my time. This helped me visualize what I needed to do and when. this was an important
step I took in order to properly manage my time.
I worked on my project I recorded it and kept track of my progress through all of my entries. I
recorded the progress and checked in with my supervisor periodically to make sure that my project
was coming along at a decent rate. I had planned large tasks that I needed to do, I kept these on
Managebac in a checklist. These I checked off as I completed each one. After I had finished all of the
tasks on my checklist, I moved on to sketching out what I needed to do on the calendar I use to
manage my time. This helped me visualize what I needed to do and when. this was an important
step I took in order to properly manage my time.
time management
My time management skills are typically lacking. This project however, required much more control
than previous projects I have done. I tried to maximize my time by planning out each day that I would
work on the research. As all plans do this worked well towards the beginning but as I went I forgot
that I had set out important dates to meet and I began waiting till my supervisor meetings to finish
things. Once again I tried to rely on my system that I had created, but time and time again I went back
to forgetting and waiting. After a month or two of this I realized that I was going to have a problem.
I resolved to stick with my schedule. As soon as I started keeping on track I was more relaxed and
felt more in control of the project. This form of time management has not only helped me in staying
on track in this project, but also in many other projects I had during the year.
than previous projects I have done. I tried to maximize my time by planning out each day that I would
work on the research. As all plans do this worked well towards the beginning but as I went I forgot
that I had set out important dates to meet and I began waiting till my supervisor meetings to finish
things. Once again I tried to rely on my system that I had created, but time and time again I went back
to forgetting and waiting. After a month or two of this I realized that I was going to have a problem.
I resolved to stick with my schedule. As soon as I started keeping on track I was more relaxed and
felt more in control of the project. This form of time management has not only helped me in staying
on track in this project, but also in many other projects I had during the year.
Taking action
creating my product
When I began working on this project I had decided that I was going to go to my friends house because
she has an art studio in her back yard. This was where I went in order to get situated and be in a good
place to focus on creating my painting. I had been meeting with my supervisor to discuss ways of getting
the paint to behave. I applied these tips to my final product and got a result that I am fairly happy with.
Although my final product fits all my criteria, it does not satisfy me because I know that I have done better.
When I wasa creating this I was getting frustrated with myself and attempted to start over many times, this
cause my painting to be the product of my frustration rather than the beautifully crafted artwork I wanted
it to be. This was a struggle I faced when creating my final product. When I was painting my rough drafts I did
not feel as pressured so I believe that those two turned out much better than my final product.
she has an art studio in her back yard. This was where I went in order to get situated and be in a good
place to focus on creating my painting. I had been meeting with my supervisor to discuss ways of getting
the paint to behave. I applied these tips to my final product and got a result that I am fairly happy with.
Although my final product fits all my criteria, it does not satisfy me because I know that I have done better.
When I wasa creating this I was getting frustrated with myself and attempted to start over many times, this
cause my painting to be the product of my frustration rather than the beautifully crafted artwork I wanted
it to be. This was a struggle I faced when creating my final product. When I was painting my rough drafts I did
not feel as pressured so I believe that those two turned out much better than my final product.
global context
I chose the Global Context Personal and Cultural Expression. This helped me orientate my project in the
direction I wanted to go. When the IBO says "Students will explore the ways in which we discover and
express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and
enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic" I decided to take this as the way that I should
approach this project. I decided to research how art has been used to express cultural and personal views
of the world we live in. As I was researching I discovered that all cultures have signature styles that they
use in order to identify themselves as a group. This resembles how an artist will have a certain style
or how they will sign their works. I decided to take this into consideration when I decided to work on my
art piece. As an artist, I tried to use the same signature style I always use and I signed my name at the
bottom of my work. This was in order to make my work individual to me and express that this was in fact
my art piece. In addition I had tried to express a message through my artwork. When I was painting I
made the attempt to communicate the emotion of awe. When painting I made the attempt to paint a rock
by the large expanse that is the ocean and sky. Although, while I was painting I made the rock a mountain
and my ocean looked small in comparison. This change in idea made my message change too. I went from
comparing the expanse of the ocean to a small rock to showing the power of a mountain standing
unbreaking in front of the ocean. A powerful message like this is difficult to express, but with art pieces
personal expression is essential.
When I was considering how to express all these things, I kept in mind how communication through
words is different than through art. This seemingly obvious fact, made it difficult to establish a
clear message. I am more confident with verbal communication than through art, so at first I tried to
present my idea the same way I would if I was speaking. This proved impossible since art cannot talk.
I had to come up with ways such as darkening the colors of the mountain in order to make it look like
the mountain was standing over the sea. Techniques such as this are difficult to execute correctly and
I had to experiment a fair amount in order to achieve the look I wanted. This project helped me learn
how to practice through experimentation, although I have not perfected the impasto style, I would say
that I have significantly improved since I started.
direction I wanted to go. When the IBO says "Students will explore the ways in which we discover and
express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and
enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic" I decided to take this as the way that I should
approach this project. I decided to research how art has been used to express cultural and personal views
of the world we live in. As I was researching I discovered that all cultures have signature styles that they
use in order to identify themselves as a group. This resembles how an artist will have a certain style
or how they will sign their works. I decided to take this into consideration when I decided to work on my
art piece. As an artist, I tried to use the same signature style I always use and I signed my name at the
bottom of my work. This was in order to make my work individual to me and express that this was in fact
my art piece. In addition I had tried to express a message through my artwork. When I was painting I
made the attempt to communicate the emotion of awe. When painting I made the attempt to paint a rock
by the large expanse that is the ocean and sky. Although, while I was painting I made the rock a mountain
and my ocean looked small in comparison. This change in idea made my message change too. I went from
comparing the expanse of the ocean to a small rock to showing the power of a mountain standing
unbreaking in front of the ocean. A powerful message like this is difficult to express, but with art pieces
personal expression is essential.
When I was considering how to express all these things, I kept in mind how communication through
words is different than through art. This seemingly obvious fact, made it difficult to establish a
clear message. I am more confident with verbal communication than through art, so at first I tried to
present my idea the same way I would if I was speaking. This proved impossible since art cannot talk.
I had to come up with ways such as darkening the colors of the mountain in order to make it look like
the mountain was standing over the sea. Techniques such as this are difficult to execute correctly and
I had to experiment a fair amount in order to achieve the look I wanted. This project helped me learn
how to practice through experimentation, although I have not perfected the impasto style, I would say
that I have significantly improved since I started.
reflecting
product evaluation
When I finally went over and began painting I was very happy that I was finally getting to create my art.
While I was working I tried to stay focused on the end goal but along the way I became very frustrated
and had a hard time realizing my ideas. I wish that I had more time to work on my final piece because
my time in the art studio was so limited. It might have been a better decision for me to plan out more
days to paint. If I had the chance to do over this project I would have set out more time to paint and
have a more detailed idea for my end result. In evaluating my project based on my criteria I found that I
was lacking in a few areas. I had met all of my goals regarding technique, style and time management, but
I was not satisfied with what my end result looked like. When I started painting the sky and the ocean I was
feeling pretty confident in my art and I saw it coming together really well; however, when I started the
rock I immediately changed my perspective. At first it was looking good and i was hppy with the coloration.
then I made a mistake. i ad ran out of thebrown color i had mixed, so, I decided to mix another batch.
this color looked the same, but in reality was a few shades lighter. As soon as I put this new mixture on
the canvas I was shocked. Had I been focused I would have easily been able to fix this problem, but I was
pressed for time. This caused me to panic. I painted over the entire rock with this new color. I then tried
to recreate my original coloring but the colors just were not behaving the same. If I had been more
focused, this would have only been a minor bump in the road. I learned that if I am going to work on
a time sensitive project, I need to stay focused on the end result rather than the time I have.
While I was working I tried to stay focused on the end goal but along the way I became very frustrated
and had a hard time realizing my ideas. I wish that I had more time to work on my final piece because
my time in the art studio was so limited. It might have been a better decision for me to plan out more
days to paint. If I had the chance to do over this project I would have set out more time to paint and
have a more detailed idea for my end result. In evaluating my project based on my criteria I found that I
was lacking in a few areas. I had met all of my goals regarding technique, style and time management, but
I was not satisfied with what my end result looked like. When I started painting the sky and the ocean I was
feeling pretty confident in my art and I saw it coming together really well; however, when I started the
rock I immediately changed my perspective. At first it was looking good and i was hppy with the coloration.
then I made a mistake. i ad ran out of thebrown color i had mixed, so, I decided to mix another batch.
this color looked the same, but in reality was a few shades lighter. As soon as I put this new mixture on
the canvas I was shocked. Had I been focused I would have easily been able to fix this problem, but I was
pressed for time. This caused me to panic. I painted over the entire rock with this new color. I then tried
to recreate my original coloring but the colors just were not behaving the same. If I had been more
focused, this would have only been a minor bump in the road. I learned that if I am going to work on
a time sensitive project, I need to stay focused on the end result rather than the time I have.
expanding My knowledge
During this project I have learned many things about painting and the different styles of painting. When
I first started working on this project I believed that it did not matter what type of paint or what
you chose to paint on, I believed the results would all be very similar. As I went along, I learned how
to tell the difference between acrylic and oil paints and what instrument was used to paint each section.
This is a big accomplishment for me because startingoff I could no tell the difference between a palette knife
and a butter knife. This was eye opening for me because i had never realized that there were so many
different ways to paint in the same style. When I began this project I was having some trouble with the paint
staying raised, when I talked to my supervisor about it, she told me that there are special mediums that
thicken the paint without changing the color. I believe that my knowledge of the art world has drastically
increased from when I began this endeavor.
I first started working on this project I believed that it did not matter what type of paint or what
you chose to paint on, I believed the results would all be very similar. As I went along, I learned how
to tell the difference between acrylic and oil paints and what instrument was used to paint each section.
This is a big accomplishment for me because startingoff I could no tell the difference between a palette knife
and a butter knife. This was eye opening for me because i had never realized that there were so many
different ways to paint in the same style. When I began this project I was having some trouble with the paint
staying raised, when I talked to my supervisor about it, she told me that there are special mediums that
thicken the paint without changing the color. I believe that my knowledge of the art world has drastically
increased from when I began this endeavor.
IB learner skills
As an IB learner I have been attempting to hone my skills in order to be balanced throughout all of my
subjects and learning platforms. Since I am an MYP student and soon to be in the diploma program I felt
as though I needed to make sure to try and develop most of the IB learner profiles. This would help me
learn how to manage myself and get the best learning possible. I have a more in depth description of
this in my process journal. I have learned how to be an efficient researcher and a balanced learner, but
I feel like I could still improve in many of the other categories of the IB learner profile.
subjects and learning platforms. Since I am an MYP student and soon to be in the diploma program I felt
as though I needed to make sure to try and develop most of the IB learner profiles. This would help me
learn how to manage myself and get the best learning possible. I have a more in depth description of
this in my process journal. I have learned how to be an efficient researcher and a balanced learner, but
I feel like I could still improve in many of the other categories of the IB learner profile.