FAQ

In this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), you will find common questions and answers related to Service as Action at ISSR.

Do we count hours?

No. Each activity needs to focus on the learning outcomes for service and the evidence you provide on how you have met the learning outcome(s) for each activity. The evidence is submitted on ManageBac by following the instructions found in the SA Hub.

Can I complete more than one learning outcome for service during an activity?

Yes. It is up to the student, with support, to determine which learning outcome(s) are relevant and appropriate to the activity they wish to initiate. The amount of Learning Objectives is related to the length of the activity as there needs to be enough time for the student to develop the learning objective, and develop an ATL Skill. For example, an activity of one month may have 1 outcome, but an activity of 3 months with a lot of engagement might allow for 2 outcomes. Discuss this with the SA Coordinator if you have questions. The evidence you submit on ManageBac regarding how you have achieved a learning outcome for service will determine if you are successful or not in the completion of the activity. Keep in mind however that a reflection is required for each learning outcome and ATL you have selected, so this should influence how you plan and reflect.

Am I required to think about and provide evidence connecting my SA activity with Approaches to Learning (ATL) and Learner profile (LP)? 

Yes. Although you will be asked to do this with other tasks and activities in the MYP, continually practising and using these terms to describe yourself as a student are important. Each activity should have the ATL Skill (not cluster or sub-cluster) and Learner Profile identified in the Learning Goal box in ManageBac. Don’t forget to ask your Service as Action adviser for help if needed. 

An example of the Activity Aim box in ManageBac:

ATL Skill: (Self-Management - Affective) Practise strategies to develop mental focus.
Learner Profile: Open-Minded

** Note: The ATL Cluster is Self-Management, the Sub-Cluster is Affective Skills, and the remainder is the ATL Skill.

Can I miss lessons or school time in order to do a service action?

Sort of. You need expressed written permission from your subject teacher for time missed from the lesson in order to be authorised to do an action. This means that you need to coordinate and communicate ahead of time in order to ensure that you can, a) miss part of a lesson, or b) be somewhere else in school. It is not sufficient to have parent authorisation to miss a lesson. You are responsible for any work or activities that you may have missed from your lesson. 

What is a good SA activity? What is not?

These are difficult questions to answer and are usually best resolved by you the student using the Service Learning Cycle.

1. The Service Learning Cycle​ prompt to assess and be able to justify a legitimate need for service activity.

2. Find inspiration in your learning​! Don’t look for something that is helpful just to get the requirement done. Explore a new idea in class, find meaning and a need in that learning and create a SA plan from there.

3. Use the learning outcomes for service​ to provide a goal and focus for evidence required throughout the activity.

4. Ask questions and look for support with your SA ideas from your SA advisor​, the SA Coordinator, and MYP Teachers.​

Use the following as a general rule of thumb for what can be good and unauthentic SA activities:

A good SA activity Unauthentic SA activity Something you care about and meets a need You are personally rewarded financially You learn and understand the issue or problem Duties within the family (washing, cleaning, etc.) Involves other people, including a responsible adult who can comment on your participation Fundraising with no understanding of the cause or how the money is specifically used Enables you to meet the learning outcomes Simple and tedious work with no active role