What is CAS?
Now I can write a
long-paged essay on IBO’s definition of CAS. But I rather not – partly because
I’ve heard it a thousand million trillion times, and I’m sure you have too, but
also because IBO’s definition doesn’t ‘sink’ into your head. It goes into your head,
gives you like a 5-second heavenly vision of what CAS is like, and then
disappears. Or at least that’s what happens to me. Here’s how can you see if it
happens to you:
Try to recall
word-to-word what the IBO defines as:
-
CAS (general
definition)
-
CAS’s aims and
objectives (+ elaboration)
-
The learning
outcomes of CAS (+ elaboration)
-
Experiential
learning…?
Of course, there is more
to CAS than these 3 significant points but if you remember them, first of all,
hats-off to you! I crown you ‘Emperor/Empress CASsy’ but also, you are very
fortunate because you don’t have to read the rest of this page. The IBO’s got
their so-accurate-its-frightening definition engraved in your brain.
If you don’t remember
these points word-to-word and only remember a few words, then don’t fret, we’re
on the same ship and it’s afloat for now. And we will stay afloat as long as
you are genuinely interested in knowing what CAS is all about #smileyface
If you don’t know
anything about any of those points, then you must be new to the CAS world –
(perhaps a student moving into the IBDP) or just wondering what CAS is like
(perhaps you have a friend/sibling who’s doing the IBDP or you’re a individual
wondering how to get IB students involved in you’re club/organization and wondering
how that could possibly tie with CAS). Well, newbie/explorer, welcome.
Let me be your tour
guide. Now, I’m not a CAS expert or anything, but I try awesomely hard to get
students everyday involved in this rigorous opportunity-packed, fun-n-loving, passion-pursuing,
goal-identifying programme.
Let me begin by
NOTIFYING all viewers that I am new to the IB world, not to the CAS world.
Okay? Cool. Just putting
it out there folks!
So… what exactly is CAS?
And why is the IBO being so nice to us? I mean, isn’t IB supposed to be like
some shudder-inducing, completely-challenging, energy-sucking,
stress-penetrating, book-after-book cramming, sleep-preventing
programme? Or have I gone too far? Perhaps.
CAS stands for Creativity, Action and Service. That
is a fact! But my totally-amazing definition is:
Cause
you can make a CHANGE…
Aspiring
to become a better person…
Showering
your inner-brilliance…
… DO IT.
Yaaaaaay! So original, isn’t it? :D Now, let me
emphasize that word ‘original’. You have to be original and innovative (I love
that word) :D I came up with my own definition not because I wanted to impress
my viewers (Ok I might have, but only a little bit ^^) but ALSO because it’s
suuuuuccccchhhhh an amazing thing! <3 So so rewarding. And I don’t mean that
literally (cause let’s face it, no one’s going to reward you a golden bracelet
for coming up with a cool saying), I meant like… It’s rewarding… mentally. Does
that make sense to you? Cause it makes total sense in my head.
One of the reasons I admire CAS is because it enables
me to shine exclusively – and how does it do that? By allowing me and hundreds
of others, be active local, national and global participants of the community.
When I get involved – I get the chance to take on a challenging experience with
the most exciting feel to it. It’s when I excel in this position that I ‘shine
exclusively’. I mean, ‘what makes me so special?’, ‘what makes you so
special?’, ‘what makes you so different from your brother/sister?’ Think about
it. Think about one difference (and not an obvious one, like ‘well, she’s 5 and
I’m 16), I mean something sensible, more levelheaded, like ‘Well I’m into
journalism, and he’s into sports’. Ok, you’re into journalism, great. Now, how
can you do something that will outshine all other journalist-aspiring folks? I
know! Volunteer at a newspaper agency. Do what you love. Sure you can do it, sure you can make time in
your busy schedule to write a paragraph on event coverage, global news or
something like that you know. Lke I said before ‘opportunity-packed’.
Alright I’m sincerely sorry; I realized I haven’t
given you a proper definition of CAS so here it goes:
There. Isn’t. Any.
CAS is NOT
a fact-oriented course like ITGS, Business, Geography, ESS, Economics and so
on… And we all know that all fact-oriented courses start with a definition. Example: ITGS is the study and evaluation of
the impacts of information technology (IT) on individuals and society. Can
someone please tell me where I can get-a-hold of the CAS Theory Booklet? Or the
CAS syllabus? I know! N-o-w-h-e-r-e. It doesn't exist. CAS is about experience,
sure, that ties to your theory subjects, but it by itself is not a theory subject/course.
CAS is all practical… and that’s the best part. Sure you know this by now. In
my humble opinion, it CANNOT be
defined. The idiot who defines CAS is defining his/her perspective of CAS. All
it requires is a little bit of thinking.
