Student Responsibilities
CAS: Student Responsibilities
CAS should be fun! It is your chance to choose experiences that you are interested in and passionate about.
The key to a student’s CAS programme is personal engagement, choice and enjoyment of CAS experiences.
Through the Diploma Programme students undertake a variety of CAS experiences, ideally on a weekly basis, for a minimum of 18 months. You must also undertake one CAS Project of at least one month. Students collect evidence and reflect at significant moments throughout their CAS experiences, so assemble a CAS portfolio.
By the end of the 18 months, students will be able to demonstrate achievement of the seven CAS learning outcomes using their CAS Portfolio to the CAS Coordinator’s satisfaction.
CAS students are expected to:
approach CAS with a positive and proactive attitude
develop a clear understanding of CAS expectations and how CAS can be valuable to them
explore personal values, attitudes and attributes with reference to the IB learner profile and the IB mission statement
determine personal goals
discuss plans for CAS experiences with your CAS Adviser
understand and apply the CAS stages where appropriate
take part in a variety of experiences, some of which are self-initiated
undertake a CAS project
become more aware of personal interests, skills and talents and observe how these evolve throughout the CAS programme
maintain a CAS Portfolio by regularly uploading Evidence and Reflections to Managebac
understand the reflection process and identify suitable opportunities to reflect on CAS experiences
ensure a suitable balance between creativity, activity and service in their CAS programme
behave appropriately and ethically in their choices and behaviours.
At CDNIS students are fully informed of the CAS programme expectations and requirements by attending approximately 20 classes at the start of DP1. Students also dive deeper into understanding the requirements of the CAS project, how to collect appropriate evidence and how to properly reflect on the learning outcomes.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMPLETE CAS PROGRAMME?
TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE CDNIS CAS PROGRAM, YOU NEED TO MEET THE FOLLOWING SEVEN REQUIREMENTS:
REGULAR, HABITUAL PARTICIPATION
The CAS program is designed to create enjoyable, meaningful, regular experiences for you. It is expected that you spend 2.5 hours a week (on average) with your CAS engagements. CAS experiences should be challenging, set to develop new skills and of course fun!
BALANCED PORTFOLIO
You are expected to create a balance between the three “strands” of creativity, activity and service. A balanced portfolio means that you are not entirely focused on one area/strand of CAS. You should also leave some time unplanned for spontaneous opportunities that come up (a hike, a favour, a creative idea). All experiences should be documented in a timely manner. Keep track of everything!!
AN 18 MONTH-LONG PROGRAM
The program lasts 18 months. In other words, you cannot finish earlier.
TWO FORMAL INTERVIEWS AND ONE EXIT PRESENTATION
DP1 first interview in September/October: Together we discuss the programme you made for CAS including the relation to the learning outcomes and the importance of reflections. We are also addressing the start of your Portfolio
DP1 second interview in May: During this interview we check to see if the programme goals have been achieved and we discuss the reflections made. Then we can talk about your Summer Holiday activities and how you are planning to continue in DP2. We will also look at your Portfolio.
The exit presentation final step will include the presentation of your CAS portfolio. This is a special celebration that is unique to CDNIS. You will celebrate your CAS journey with your advisory class.
CAS PROJECT
At least one (and at most 2) of your experiences per DP year must meet the criteria for a project. The criteria are the following:
Must demonstrate Leadership and Collaboration with peers (other IB students)
It has to combine at least two “strands” of Creativity, Activity and Service
Explicitly using the CAS stages as a planning and reflection tool and should be carefully documented
A minimum of one month from planning to completion
CAS project form submitted at the beginning to the CAS Coordinator
THE ONLINE PORTFOLIO AND THE GOOD NUMBER OF REFLECTIONS
Your Managebac (MB) portfolio is the touch base between the coordinator and you. You are expected to do the house-keeping regularly. We especially place an emphasis on properly setting up a CAS experience. We also expect you to use video, digital photography, and / or other creative evidence in the portfolio. You are expected to collect at least one piece of evidence every two weeks of an experience and one reflection on at least one learning outcome per month. The guidelines on evidence and CAS reflections are further detailed on the evidence and reflection page.
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND IB LEARNER PROFILE FEATURES
Your CAS experiences need to meet learning outcomes. Your reflections are expected to show a connection between your goals, learning outcomes and the IB learner profile. Keep in mind “think global, act local!”
Below are examples of exit presentations that students use to celebrate their CAS journeys with their peers.
CAS Exit Presentation 1.pdfCAS Exit Presentation 4.pdfCAS Exit Presentation 3.pdfCAS Exit Presentation 2.pdfCAS Student Responsibilities - ALL IN ONE
CDNIS CAS Responsibiliites - All in one.pdf