Considering ethics of choices and actions

Over the next few weeks I am going to write about the 7 learning outcomes. It is important that you show how you have reached each of the learning outcomes - you must have evidence and reflection to demonstrate that if you wish to 'complete' CAS and be eligible for the IB Diploma. Some outcomes are easier than others to demonstrate. This week I am looking at 'ethics.' Parts of this post are republished from posts I did for my last IB group.

CAS and Ethics

Considering ethics of choices and actions

This is one of the outcomes that many people find hardest to meet and reflect upon. Here is an example.

A student in a dance performance had her leg in a cast after she tore a muscle and wouldn't be able to train with the other dancers in the last weeks leading up to the performance. The producers of the show had to make the decision to exclude her as she wouldn't have time to catch up when her cast was removed. Decisions like this that you have to make - accepting or not accepting people as part of a group, or their piece of work etc are important if difficult decisions that involve ethical considerations (Cannings et al.).

You can think about ethical decisions you have made in the following contexts:

sport
dealing with other people
carrying out a service experience
in terms of academic honesty
reflection

Think about how often, "we make decisions in CAS relative to the feelings of our peer group." This is especially so in experiences that involve working in groups. I have met and spoke with some groups about this. Who does the work? Should everyone get equal credit? These are the kind of questions that enable you to demonstrate that you have: Recognised and considered the ethics of choices and actions.
Here is an example of what you might write:

As part of this group......., we/I will have /have had to make decisions about who can be involved and in what capacity. It might mean that not everyone can have a chance to speak/go on a trip/have a leadership role. I will have to think about my role as a leader or group member and be sensitive to the wishes of others and try not to hurt people's feelings, but also keep what is best for the group as a whole in mind. (Your example should mention specific decisions).

Source: Cannings, John, María Inés Piaggio, Peter Muir, and Tom Brodie. Creativity, Activity, Service CAS for the IB Diploma An Essential Guide for Students. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ Pr, 2015. Print.

I hope that this helps you to meet this outcome.

Things to check this week:

Have you got experiences for all the outcomes? Have a look at the outcomes list.

If you have a green mark next to the outcome - it means that you have reflected on it. If you have a yellow mark it means that you have ticked it for this experience but haven't reflected on it yet. If there is no mark you have no planned experience to meet that outcome. You can see that the student above is missing 'Global Engagement.'

Dates

I am getting reviews requests from grade 12s now and I have noticed that many have incorrect dates. Check the start and finish dates of your experiences. You MUST always have at least one experience 'ongoing' to qualify for CAS. You can get an overview by clicking the 'timeline' tab.

According to this student's timeline all the experiences are finished. I know this is not the case. You can always change you dates later on if an experience turns out to be shorter or longer than you expected but make sure that you have a no breaks - periods with no on going experiences.