How does CAS impact students, educators and their life beyond IB?

All IB students are required to participate in CAS which is a part of the unique DP learner experience. CAS engages students in an ambit of activities, including artistic expression, community service and sports. These activities further support and boost their academic studies.

CAS promotes positive changes in the students in terms of their dispositions, behaviour and interpersonal relationships. The IB programme coordinators, the educators and the alumni are of the view that CAS helps students to become better at "taking on new challenges", "learning to persevere" and "developing better interpersonal skills."

Students perceive CAS to be a challenging element within the IB programme but also consider it to be the most rewarding. About 85% of them identify 'service' as the most difficult of the three strands.

CAS has the most impact on the development of the communication skills amongst the students. The current DP students, as well as the alumni, have distinguished four attributes that have been developed by CAS namely, communication, willingness to accept new roles, willingness to accept new challenges and collaboration.

Key points for implementing CAS:

An effective CAS programme is dependent on identifying CAS activities that learners consider to be enjoyable and meaningful.

According to the students, the five factors that contribute to a successful CAS experience are:

• Variety - The activities of the students are different and have a wide range of variations.
• Challenge - CAS aids students to push themselves and take up new challenges and step out of their comfort zone.
• Self-awareness - The students can learn new experiences and gain knowledge about their strengths.
• New interests - With CAS activities, they indulge in new hobbies and interests.
• Reflections - Relevant and adaptable reflections help the students comprehend and get the drift of their experiences in IB.

The International Baccalaureate offers many benefits to its educators. They are given a gateway to:

• An outstanding professional growth that enhances critical thinking, self-reflection and commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Experimental and multifarious education outlines, teaching aids, unit planners and assessment tools.
• Degree programme and various certifications offered by the top-ranked universities across the globe.
• A pedagogy that is known to shape students who are inspired to continue exploration and lifelong learning that extends beyond academics.

Acquire university-recognised qualifications

The IB has partnered with various prestigious universities worldwide to offer IB certification in teaching and learning and IB certification in leadership.

IB offers four different certificates:

• A certificate in teaching and learning
• An advanced certificate in teaching and research learning
• A certificate in leadership practice
• An advanced certificate in leadership research

Therefore, it is evident that the IB diploma benefits the students as well as the educators as it equips them with the relevant skills, certifications and expertise that would be pertinent to their life outside IB.