Service Learning

Action (learning by doing and experiencing) is a key component in constructivist models of education, including the kind of teaching and learning common to all IB programmes. Service, as a subset of action, has always been a shared value of the IB community. IB learners strive to be caring members of the community who demonstrate a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

“Service and action in IB programmes”

MYP: From principles into practice, p. 22.

MYP Service as Action

As an IB World School that emphasises Excellence, Inclusivity and Community, HIS highly values service to and with others. Therefore, it has implemented and keeps on developing a strong Service as Action programme (SA) as a Core component of the Middle Year Programme (MYP) that allows students “to engage in principled action across a range of overlapping local and global communities” (MYP: From principles into practice).

The overall objective of SA is to encourage students and to offer them the opportunity to take action to the benefit of others, the local and global communities, and our environment in order to learn from this engagement and grow as caring lifelong learners.

Then, the service provided can be direct, indirect, research or advocacy based. SA involvements involve investigation, preparation, action itself, demonstration, and reflection. SA progresses are documented on ManageBac (MB) and supported with relevant evidence and personal reflections. Finally, students are guided and supported to meet seven Learning Outcomes (LO) through their engagement with SA; they:

become more aware of their own strengths and areas for growth
undertake challenges that develop new skills
discuss, evaluate, and plan student-initiated activities
persevere in action
work collaboratively with others
develop international mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism, and intercultural understanding
consider the ethical implications of their actions.

For more information on the SA programme, please visit the HIS SA Starter Kit.
In the IB continuum, SA continues with the service component of the Diploma Programme (DP)’s Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirements.

DP Creativity, Action and Service

DP Creativity, Activity, Service

As a diverse and caring community, Hanoi International School provides excellence in international education within an inclusive, compassionate environment. G11 and 12 students work on “a broad-based two-year course that aims to encourage students to be not only knowledgeable and inquiring, but also caring and compassionate. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding, open-mindedness, and the attitudes necessary for them to respect and evaluate a range of points of view. “ (International Baccalaureate, “Creativity, activity, service guide - For students graduating in 2017 and after”)

Creativity Action Service (CAS) is one of the core of the DP, together with Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay, and HIS graduation requirement.

CAS Programme aims to provide learners with experiences taking actions and practising their life skills in order to enhance their capabilities to contribute to the local and global community. Through exploring their own passion and practising a balanced lifestyle, students develop their personal identity. Successful CAS students support and are supported by their academic studies, foster interculturalism, and develop self-awareness and identity throughout the 2 year course.

To learn more about the CAS Programme at HIS, please visit HIS Creativity Action Service (CAS)