A. Adam, MYP Service & MS StuCo Coordinator: adamc@ptis.ac.th 

The IB Identifies 8 Approaches to Service 

• Ongoing Service:  When investigating a need that leads to a plan of action implemented over time, students develop perseverance and commitment. Reflections should show deeper awareness and knowledge of social issues. 

• Immediate Need Service:  In response to a disaster, students often want to move towards immediate action. Typically they quickly attempt to assess the need and devise a planned response. Students are reminded to further investigate the issue to better understand underlying causes.

• School-based Service:  In all cases an authentic need must be verified that will be met through student action. Service needs met at school may prepare students for further action within the larger community. 

• Fundraising:  The preferred approach is for students to initially develop their understanding of the organization they choose to support and the issues being addressed. Students can draw from their interests, skills, and talents to plan the method and manner of fundraising. Sharing the rationale for the fundraising educates others and advocates the chosen cause.  

• Community-based Service:  Participating in service within the local community advances student awareness and understanding of social issues and solutions. Interactions involving people in a service context best occur with a regularity that builds and sustains relationships for the mutual benefit of all. 

• Volunteerism:  Students often volunteer in service experiences organized by other students, the school, or an external group. Being informed and prepared increases the likelihood that the students' contribution will have personal meaning and value. 

• International Service:  When participating in international service, students must understand the background and the circumstances of an identified an authenticated need to support their involvement. In certain cases students are able to make links with parallel issues in their local community.

• Service arising from curriculum:  Teachers plan units with service learning opportunities in mind, students may or may not respond and act. The human and natural Sciences, English Literature, and, Environmental Systems are three subjects that often offer such opportunities for extending the taught curricula into service experiences. 

  *Adapted from Creativity, Activity, Service Guide (IB Publishing Ltd, 2015)