Reflection

CAS emphasises reflection, which is central to building a deep and rich experience in CAS. Students will use ManageBac as their means of recording their reflections.

Reflection is the primary evidence used by CAS coordinators to determine whether learners have successfully attained the seven CAS learning outcomes.

Individual learning is enhanced by reflection on choices and actions. This enables students to grow in their ability to explore skills, strengths, limitations and areas for further development.

Through reflection, students examine ideas and consider how they might use prior learning in new contexts. Reflection leads to improved problem solving, higher cognitive processes and greater depth of understanding in addition to exploring how CAS experiences may influence future possibilities.

Elements of Reflection

Four key elements assist in the CAS reflective process:

1. Describing what happened: Learners describe their memorable moments, identifying what was important or influential, what went well or was difficult, obstacles and successes

2. Expressing feelings: Learners articulate emotional responses to their experiences

3. Generating ideas: Rethinking or re-examining choices and actions increases awareness about self and situations, and

4. Asking questions: Questions about people, processes or issues prompt further thinking and ongoing inquiry.

Questions to Consider

Why did I make this particular choice?
How did this experience reflect my personal ideas and values?
How have I grown or developed as a person through this experience?
In what ways am I being challenged to think differently about others and myself
How did I feel about the challenges?
What happened that prompted particular feelings?
What choices might have resulted in different outcomes?
What would I do differently next time, and why?
What connections can I make between my CAS experiences and Theory of Knowledge/my EE/other subjects?

Making Time for Reflection

Purposeful reflection is about quality rather than quantity. Students are encouraged to allocate time each week to engage with meaningful and purposeful reflection. When composing your reflection you may like to consider this question: ‘Would I put this on my CV as a way of demonstrating the skills, knowledge, and attitudes have I developed as a result of my experience?’

Does Your Reflection Address a CAS Learning Outcomes?

LO1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

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

LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

• 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.

LO3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

• 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.

LO4: Show commitment and perseverance in CAS experiences

• Students demonstrate regular involvement and active engagement in CAS.

LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

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

LO6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

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

LO7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

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

Core Reflection Questions

What and how did you learn as you reflect on the CAS Learning Outcome?

How can you improve in these areas or processes in the future?

How did this learning impact you?

How did this learning impact those around you?

Reflection... What it is and What it is not

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