International Baccalaureate · IB Diploma
Digital Society · HL
Papers, samples and curriculum documents for this course.
Course units and learning goals
These lessons teach selected course objectives. Check the remaining coverage gaps; the material is not a complete preparation programme.
2–4 · Data, algorithms and digital power
- Distinguish data from information and algorithms from outcomes
- Analyse privacy, identity, power and ethics in a real digital system
- algorithm
- A specified process for transforming inputs into outputs.
- digital footprint
- Traces left by a person's digital activity.
3.3–3.7; 4 · Networks, media and automation
- Explain networks, AI and autonomous systems in context
- Evaluate claims about access, expression and environmental impact
- network
- Connected devices or nodes that exchange information.
- automation
- Technology performing tasks with reduced direct human intervention.
Inquiry project · Researching impacts and implications
- Form a focused inquiry question and compare sources
- Communicate findings, uncertainties and references through the required inquiry evidence
- inquiry
- A focused process of investigating a question with evidence.
- implication
- A consequence or significance arising from a development.
5 · HL challenges and interventions
- Evaluate an intervention against an identified global challenge
- Synthesize equity, acceptability, feasibility and sustainability evidence
- intervention
- An action intended to change a specific problem.
- feasibility
- Whether an action can be implemented with available resources.
Preparing for this qualification
- SL: Paper 1 90 min 40%, source Paper 2 75 min 30%, inquiry 30%. HL: Paper 1 135 min 35%, Paper 2 75 min 20%, intervention Paper 3 75 min 25%, inquiry 20%.
- Integrate concepts, content and contexts. Inquiry uses a process document, recorded multimedia presentation and references; HL adds global well-being, governance/human rights and sustainable development interventions.
Teaching coverage still needed
- Dedicated teaching still needed across all seven concepts, seven content topics, seven contexts and three HL challenges, including school-reviewed cases.
- Reviewed runtime bank remains unavailable; no practice registry promotion.
Specifications and sample documents
- Digital Society — Subject brief · 2024 ↗
First assessment: 2024
- Digital Society — Specimen papers · 2024 ↗
First assessment: 2024
Course materials
Course preparation
Documents are available. Board-specific notes, assessments and interactive past-paper practice are not yet available for every course.
Lessons →