CAS Learning Outcomes

Summary:

  • IB Diploma student need to achieve the seven CAS learning outcomes in order to complete CAS.

  • CAS learning outcomes can be achieved in your different CAS experiences and project(s).

  • Evidence of how you worked on achieving the CAS learning outcomes must be shown in your CAS portfolio.

The Seven Learning Outcomes of CAS

As you engage with your CAS experiences, think about how these CAS learning outcomes relate to what you do:

  1. Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth.

  2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

  3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.

  4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.

  5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.

  6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

  7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

It is common for some outcomes to be achieved more than others. And the 'achievement' of these will look different for each of you. You will achieve these in your own way through your chosen CAS experiences, CAS project, and new CAS opportunities.

As CAS does not meet as a scheduled class, it is important for you to discuss how you have been working on these in your CAS portfolio on ManageBac. Each CAS entry on ManageBac allows you to write your reflections in the journal form and upload any additional material to show your progress, such as photos, video clips, certificates, websites, etc.

Study the document below for unpacking them in detail.

CAS Learning Outcomes in CAS Experiences CAS Projects

You get to create your own 'CAS experiences'. This is done by setting goals and identifying the desired outcomes in the context of your chosen co-curricular activities. This will naturally lead to developing different kinds of skills, such as communication, collaboration, planning, time management, and activity-specific skills. In the process, you will learn much about perseverance to achieve your goals and about your strengths and areas for growth. Eventually, the combination of your CAS experiences will enable you to grow further in your personal endeavours and as a conscious participant in whatever you choose to be involved.

CAS projects are different from the CAS experiences in that you get to initiate what you want to do by going beyond being a regular participant in your chosen co-curricular activities.

Read more about how you can work on the CAS learning outcomes in your CAS experiences and projects by clicking on the buttons below.

CAS Learning Outcomes Unpacked in Reflections

The IB Learner Profile

Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators

Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers

Balanced Reflective Read more...

See the 10 attributes of the IB Learner Profile more in detail here .

Learn about the connection between the IB mission statement and the learner profile here.

The Aims of CAS

CAS aims to develop students who:

  • enjoy and find significance in a range of CAS experiences

  • purposefully reflect upon their experiences

  • identify goals, develop strategies and determine further actions for personal growth

  • explore new possibilities, embrace new challenges and adapt to new roles

  • actively participate in planned, sustained, and collaborative CAS projects

  • understand they are members of local and global communities with responsibilities towards each other and the environment.

Global and Ethical Issues

Students often ask how these CAS learning outcomes relate to their CAS experiences and project(s):

  • Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

  • Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

The 'global' and ethical issues are actually all around you, in your very 'everyday' setting:

During the COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdown phases, students wondered how they can achieve these CAS learning outcomes when the Global Action Programme (GAP) trips were cancelled. It is important to remember that a series of 'local issues' become 'global' when many communities and nations recognise them as being common to their situations and contexts as well. So, look around you in your neighbourhood and city first to examine what something so broadly applicable as 'No Poverty' (UN SDG # 1) looks like and what the media are saying about it. Then find your cause to take some action!

During the pandemic, some examples of these 'think globally, act locally' included such 'everyday' activities as exercising at home (UN SDG # 3 Good Health and Well-Being) or planting herbs in the kitchen, knitting, crafting, cooking (UN SDG # 12 Responsible Consumption and Production). Ethical implications are also included in such activities at home. Think about the following:

  • Composting, kitchen gardening, reusing, recycling, and upcycling all involve practices to lead a sustainable lifestyle that can help protect the natural environment and our communities and societies.

  • We as consumers need to know how the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the material we use for learning and leisure have been sourced, produced, and marketed. Investigating these can uncover some alarming and disturbing facts regarding exploitation of human and natural resources, e.g. human trafficking and factors believed to be contributing to climate change and disasters, etc.

  • The above should inform us about the choices we can make as consumers to promote sustainable agricultural, industrial, and business practices. These will lead us to 'engage with issues of global significance' and 'considered the ethics of choices and actions'.

  • Learn more about these through the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) below:

Learn the concepts behind the IB Learner Profile (LP) to understand how the CAS learning outcomes relate to your growth.