Interviews
IBChangemakers: ‘The projects strengthened my critical-thinking skills’
MYP-5 student at Apeejay’s IB School shares that the personal project and e-portfolio improved his ability to work independently
IB learning gives students room to explore ideas and make choices. They learn to plan their work, track their progress, and present their learning with confidence. Over time, they understand their interests better. They also build responsibility, practical skills, and the confidence to learn from feedback. Meet one such student, Arnav Kumar, an MPY-5 student, now in DP-I, at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park.
In a candid interview, he talks about how the Personal Project (PP) and e-Portfolio for the academic year 2025-26 helped his learning.
What was your Personal Project about?
My PP focused on creating audiobooks for children. The aim was to make stories more engaging and accessible while encouraging imagination, creativity, and a love for reading through audio storytelling.
Why did you choose this topic?
I chose this topic because I was interested in how storytelling influences children’s learning and development. I wanted to explore whether audiobooks could serve as an effective alternative to traditional reading and help children engage with literature in different ways.
What challenges, if any, did you face?
One of the main challenges was creating recordings that would keep children engaged while maintaining clear audio quality. I also had to manage my time effectively between recording, editing, and evaluating my work to ensure the final product met my goals.
What was the most interesting part when you started?
The most interesting part was researching how children learn through stories and how audiobooks can influence comprehension, creativity, and engagement. This encouraged me to think critically about different learning methods and their impact on young learners.
Which sport did you choose for your e-Portfolio?
I chose swimming for my e-Portfolio. I selected swimming because it is a highly technical sport that requires endurance, strength, coordination, and efficient technique. It provided an excellent opportunity to analyse performance and apply evidence-based training strategies.
What was the first step in your process?
The first step was conducting an interview with my client and carrying out a performance analysis. This helped me identify the client’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals, allowing me to create a personalised training plan based on their specific needs.
What skills did both projects help you develop?
Both projects helped me develop research, communication, organisation, and time-management skills. More importantly, they strengthened my critical-thinking skills by requiring me to analyse information, evaluate different approaches, reflect on feedback, and make informed decisions throughout the process. These experiences also improved my ability to work independently and solve problems effectively.
