Understanding the learning outcomes
In addition to the students, be certain the CAS coordinator, advisers and any other teachers and staff involved share a common understanding of the language and meaning of each learning outcome. For example, with the term “challenges”, students may need assistance to understand that a challenge could involve taking on a completely new CAS experience or be an extension of an existing one. In this TSM, refer to “Teaching strategy: Understanding learning outcomes”.
Learning outcome descriptors
The following chart shows specific descriptors for each learning outcome. These descriptors are only suggestions; they are not exhaustive and can be adapted, edited, expanded or shortened. Further, not all descriptors must be met; it is the CAS coordinator’s decision as to whether the student has achieved the outcome.
CAS learning outcomes
Learning outcome 1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Suggested descriptors
The student:
is aware of own strengths and weaknessesis open to improvement and growth opportunitiesis able to propose experiences according to own interests and talentsis willing to participate in different experiencesis able to undertake a thoughtful self-evaluationis able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, some more developed than others.Learning outcome 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
Suggested descriptors
The student:
participates in an experience that demands an appropriate personal challenge; this could be with new or familiar experiencesis willing to become involved in unfamiliar environments and situationsacquires new skills and abilitiesincreases expertise in an established areashows newly acquired or developed skills or increased expertise in an established area.Learning outcome 3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
Suggested descriptors
The student:
is able to articulate and use the CAS stages including investigation, preparation, action, reflection (ongoing) and demonstration, moving from conceiving an idea to carrying out a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiencesdemonstrates knowledge and awareness by building on a previous CAS experienceshows initiative by launching a new idea or processsuggests creative ideas, proposals or solutionsintegrates reflective thoughts in planning or taking initiativeis aware of roles and responsibilities when designing an individual or collective CAS experienceshows responsible attitude to CAS project planningis able to develop a coherent action plan.Learning outcome 4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
Suggested descriptors
The student:
demonstrates regular involvement and active engagement with CAS experiences and CAS projectis able to foresee potential challenges to the initial plan and consider valid alternatives and contingenciesdemonstrates adaptability to uncertainties and changesgets involved in long-term CAS experiences and CAS project.Learning outcome 5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
Suggested descriptors
The student:
shares skills and knowledgelistens respectfully to proposals from peersis willing to take on different roles within a teamshows respect for different points of view and ideasmakes valuable contributionsis responsible for participating in the groupreadily assists othersis able to identify, demonstrate and discuss critically the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through CAS experiences.Learning outcome 6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
Suggested descriptors
The student:
recognizes the global implications of local issuesis able to identify global issues in the local or national communityshows awareness of issues of global importance and takes concrete and appropriate actions in response to them either locally, nationally or internationallygets involved in CAS projects addressing global issues in a local, national or international contextdevelops awareness and responsibility towards a shared humanity.Learning outcome 7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Suggested descriptors
The student:
recognizes ethical issuesis able to explain the social influences on one’s ethical identitytakes into account cultural context when making a plan or ethical decisionidentifies what is needed to know in order to make an ethical decisionarticulates ethical principles and approaches to ethical decisionsshows accountability for choices and actionsis aware of the consequences of choices and actions regarding self, others involved and the communityintegrates the process of reflection when facing an ethical decisionshows awareness of the potential and varied consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.