Embedded Files
Service Learning gives students the opportunity to investigate ethical issues linked to their chosen IBCP Pathway. Students must undertake at least 50 hours of voluntary service, identifying and preparing or contributing to an existing community project that addresses an identified, authentic need. Students may engage in direct or indirect service, research or advocacy projects, but must maintain a reflective journal throughout and keep a log of their service hours. At the end of each service project, students must report back to stakeholders about the impact their involvement has had.
Service Learning gives students the opportunity to investigate ethical issues linked to their chosen IBCP Pathway. Students must undertake at least 50 hours of voluntary service, identifying and preparing or contributing to an existing community project that addresses an identified, authentic need. Students may engage in direct or indirect service, research or advocacy projects, but must maintain a reflective journal throughout and keep a log of their service hours. At the end of each service project, students must report back to stakeholders about the impact their involvement has had.
Successful completion of the Service Learning course is compulsory in order to complete the IBCP programme. All the skills gleaned are transferable, and the service learning is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in students’ fields of interest before seeking employment or applying to Higher Education.
Successful completion of the Service Learning course is compulsory in order to complete the IBCP programme. All the skills gleaned are transferable, and the service learning is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in students’ fields of interest before seeking employment or applying to Higher Education.
Vacya Tipa is a passionate international school student whose service learning work with sea turtles has been an ongoing project. She seeks to share the value of service learning and highlight the power that projects can have both on the world and the volunteers.
Course Aims
Course Aims
The aims of service learning are for students to:
- develop and apply knowledge and skills towards meeting an authentic community need
- develop as leaders who take initiative, solve problems and work collaboratively with others
- enjoy the experiences of both learning and service
- develop a sense of caring about, and a responsibility for, others
- gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their community and society through meaningful reflection
- enhance and strengthen their experience with the existing school curriculum
Course Stages
Course Stages
As shown in the video above, the five stages of Service Learning are:
- Investigation: identifying an authentic community need on a local, national, international or global scale
- Preparation: putting together a detailled plan of all the steps necessary for success
- Action
- Reflection: evaluating the success of your project, and what you would do differently
- Demonstration: presenting the outcomes of your project to members of the community
Course Outcomes
Course Outcomes
Students will be assessed internally on their ability to meet five learning outcomes throughout the five stages of Service Learning.
- Identify their own strengths and develop areas for growth
- Demonstrate participation with service learning experiences
- Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively
- Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
- Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions
This video shows the processes students will need to go through in order to implement a successful Service Learning project.
Stages of Service Learning
Stages of Service Learning
All students are required to maintain and complete a service learning portfolio as evidence of their engagement with service learning throughout the programme and of application of the five stages of service learning. While not formally assessed, the portfolio gives students an opportunity to outline and reflect on their service learning experience. This provides the school with evidence that the student has achieved the five service learning outcomes.
As part of the programme, students engage in three interviews with their service learning coordinator. These formal interviews are documented by the coordinator and the student as further evidence of student achievement of the five outcomes.
Transition Materials for Y11s
Transition Materials for Y11s
Read through the Student Handbook. Then look through one or more of the sample lessons below to see what some of your Service Learning lessons might be like or the kinds of projects you might develop.
Read through the Student Handbook. Then look through one or more of the sample lessons below to see what some of your Service Learning lessons might be like or the kinds of projects you might develop.
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