Creativity Action Service

The Heart of the IB Programme

Gyanendra Tewatia IB DP CAS Coordinator G D Goenka world school

Extended Essay (EE) 4000 word essay, on a topic of student interest Provides excellent preparation for independent study at university level Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) A framework for experiential learning, involving students in new and active roles Develops awareness and a sense of responsibility towards the community Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Critical reflection on how we know and what we know Develops awareness of cultural perspectives and biases Allows for connections to be established between disciplines

What is the purpose of CAS?

Involve students in new roles

Develop a spirit of open-mindedness and an appreciation for lifelong learning

Challenge students to enhance their personal growth

Educate the whole person, not just the mind

CAS Aims
Create students who are Reflective thinkers who understand their own

strengths, limitations, goals and strategies for personal growth Willing to accept new challenges and new roles Aware of social responsibilities Active participants in sustained, collaborative projects Balanced, involved in activities that are intellectual, physical, creative and emotional learning Averaging about 3 hrs/wk over 18 months (150 hrs)

New CAS
New guide for candidates who will complete the

Diploma from 2010. Aims have been re-written to highlight connections with the learner profile Emphasis on CAS as experiential learning New learning outcomes shifting the focus from hour counting to the purpose and quality of activities Reflection but less form filling Need for a team approach

New CAS Requirements

First Exams May 2010
Several key differences from old rules

CAS Team Monitoring

Acceptable Reflection Not counting hours, so how do we know if a student

is doing enough? Learning outcomes are key Reinforces existing best practice

Cont.
Connects to Learner Profile & CAS aims Shorter than current guide tighter focus, less

repetition Aims to reduce form-filling and mechanical administration Emphasis on experiential learning Importance of reflection as part of process Need for team approach Focus on

Creativity

Artistic activities including

music, dance, theatre, visual arts Designing and implementing service projects Examples:
Addressing world hunger or

global health issues Organizing a peer tutoring group in a neighborhood Planning and implementing an activity to help middle schoolers prepare for high school

Action
Participation in

expeditions Individual sports Team sports Physical activity involved in carrying out service projects

Service

Building links with individuals

or groups in the school, community, national, and international level Doing things for others with others Examples:
Tutoring or mentoring

Volunteering with community

organizations to help people in need Working on a conservation project

CAS should involve..

Real, purposeful activities that student initiates, with

significant outcomes Personal challenge: tasks must extend the student and be achievable in scope Repeated reference/connection to the Learner Profile A clear mindset that CAS is education of the whole person, framework for experiential learning, way for student to make a difference

What Makes an Activity a CAS Activity? You plan it in advance and set
a goal.
You interact with others to

work toward the goal.

You can reflect on your

progress during and after the activity.

You meet at least one of the 8

learning outcomes.

Learning Outcomes
Increase awareness of strengths and areas for growth
Undertake new challenges Plan and initiate activities

Work collaboratively with others Show perseverance and commitment in activities

Engage with issues of global importance Consider ethical implications of your actions

Develop new skills

CAS is NOT:
IBDP coursework
Any activity for which the student receives payment or

similar benefit Tedious, repetitive work Family duties Religious devotion Unsupervised by an adult An activity that could cause division among groups in the community A passive pursuit

CAS Guiding Questions

Is the activity a new role for me? Does it have real consequences for other people and myself? What do I hope to learn from getting involved? How can this activity benefit other people? On what can I reflect during this activity? What learning outcome will I achieve?

CAS Tips
Enhance your Action and Creativity by performing a

related Service, such as coaching younger students or volunteering to do an art project at a senior center.

Enhance your Service by adding Creativity when you

take on a role organizing a new dimension of the service or creating a useful tool for the service experience.

Enhance your Service by adding Action, such as

clearing brush for hiking trails or picking up trash from the shoreline.

CAS Expectations
Approximately 150 hours over

junior and senior years

Concurrency of learning

sustained over 18 months; beginning 1st day junior year

8 learning outcomes Collaborative project Portfolio w/ minimum 15 pieces

of documentation (reflection & evidence)

CAS Portfolio
Professional look

Needs to include:
Summary of activities Approximate hours

Reflections
Evidence of activities

Formal presentation in winter/spring senior year

Build a CAS Portfolio

Possible formats:

Scrap book PhotoStory Video

Arrange by:

PowerPoint Display board Other

Activity Learning Outcome Creativity/Action/Service Chronological Other

Reflection Examples
A paragraph about one of the learning outcomes

What you hope to accomplish Difficulties you encountered and overcame

(or why you did not overcome the difficulty yet) What you learned about yourself and/or others Abilities, attitudes, or values you developed How someone helped you think about your learning How the activity benefited others How you would improve next time How you can apply what you learned to other situations

Evidence Examples
Pictures/Videos/Newspaper Program schedule/pamphlets/ ID Card Registration Slip/jersey/Certificate/ LOR Emails sent to organization or supervisor Flier you developed or used Sport schedule Audio of music you played or directed Music Notation Copy of slides from PowerPoint

CAS MANAGER ManageBac

Possible future use

Test drive under process

Details later Programme can launch on students request

What needs to be done?

Before Activity begins: Submit CAS Activity/ Project Proposal form
During Activity: Write reflections. Gather evidence. Submit copies of reflections and evidence:
Attach CAS coversheet indicating learning outcome Junior year: November, February, May Senior year: August, December, March

Constantly update CAS Portfolio.

Due Dates for Next Year

Reflection and Evidence December junior year February junior year May junior year

Portfolio Meeting Spring Portfolio complete with junior year activities Individual student meeting with CAS coordinator

IB CAS Coordinator
Mr. Gyanendra Tewatia is usually in room or Fitness

Center. Forms are available online at gdgws.gdgoenka.com You can write you queries at casco777@gmail.com You are invited to visit CAS Coordinator
Before or after school and by appointment For a quick chat between classes