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CAS at ISU: The Learning Outcomes

What the IB says about the Learning Outcomes

Student completion of CAS is based on the achievement of the seven CAS learning outcomes.

Through meaningful and purposeful CAS experiences, students develop the necessary skills, attributes and understandings to achieve the seven CAS learning outcomes.

Students must provide the school with evidence in their CAS portfolio of having achieved each learning outcome at least once through their CAS programme. The CAS coordinator must reach agreement with the student as to what evidence is necessary to demonstrate achievement of each CAS learning outcome. Commonly, the evidence of achieving the seven CAS learning outcomes is found in students’ reflections.

Here are the 7 learning outcomes, they are described in more detail below.

You must address each outcome at least 1 time through your experiences or CAS project.

  • Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth.
  • Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
  • Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.
  • Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
  • Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.
  • Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.
  • Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

Outcome 1

Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Descriptor: Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.

You can demonstrate this by: 

  • being aware of your own strengths and weaknesses
  • being open to improvement and growth opportunities
  • being able to propose activities according to own interests and talents
  • being willing to participate in different activities
  • being able to undertake a thoughtful self-evaluation
  • being able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, some more developed than others.

Outcome 3

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Descriptor: Students can articulate the stages from conceiving an idea to executing a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences. This may be accomplished in collaboration with other participants. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous experience, or by launching a new idea or process.

You can demonstrate this by: 

  • being able to articulate 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 experiences
  • demonstrating knowledge and awareness by building on a previous CAS experience
  • showing initiative by launching a new idea or process
  • suggesting creative ideas, proposals or solutions
  • integrating reflective thoughts in planning or taking initiative
  • being aware of roles and responsibilities when designing an individual or collective CAS experience
  • showing responsible attitude to CAS project planning
  • being able to develop a coherent action plan taking into account the aim or purpose, activities and resources.

Outcome 5

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Descriptor: Students are able to identify, demonstrate and critically discuss the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through CAS experiences.

You can demonstrate this by: 

  • sharing skills and knowledge
  • listening respectfully to proposals from peers
  • being willing to take on different roles within a team
  • showing respect for different points of view and ideas
  • making valuable contributions
  • being responsible for participating in the group
  • readily assists others
  • being able to identify, demonstrate and discuss critically the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through CAS experiences.

Outcome 7

Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Descriptor: Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.

You can do this by:

  • recognizing ethical issues
  • explain the social influences on one’s ethical identity
  • take into account cultural context when making a plan or ethical decision
  • identify what is needed to know in order to make an ethical decision
  • articulate ethical principles and approaches to ethical decisions
  •  show accountability for choices and actions
  • being aware of the consequences of choices and actions regarding self, others involved and the community
  • integrating the process of reflection when facing an ethical decision
  • showing awareness of the potential and varied consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.

Outcome 2

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Descriptor: A new challenge may be an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one. The newly acquired or developed skills may be shown through experiences that the student has not previously undertaken or through increased expertise in an established area.

You can demonstrate this by: 

  • participating in an experience that demands an appropriate personal challenge; this could be with new or familiar experiences
  • be willing to become involved in unfamiliar environments and situations
  • acquiring new skills and abilities
  • increasing expertise in an established area
  • showing newly acquired or developed skills or increased expertise in an established area.

Outcome 4

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Descriptor: Students demonstrate regular involvement and active engagement in CAS.

You can demonstrate this by: 

  • demonstrating regular involvement and active engagement with CAS experiences and CAS project
  • being able to foresee potential challenges to the initial plan and consider valid alternatives and contingencies
  • demonstrating adaptability to uncertainties and changes
  • getting involved in long-term CAS experiences and a CAS project.

Outcome 6

Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

Descriptor: Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.

You can do this by:

  • recognizing the global implications of local issues
  • identifying global issues in the local or national community
  • show awareness of issues of global importance and takes concrete and appropriate actions in response to them either locally, nationally or internationally
  • getting involved in CAS projects addressing global issues in a local, national or international context
  • developing awareness and responsibility towards a shared humanity.