LO2 Challenges and New Skills (DP IB Creativity, Activity, Service): Revision Note

What is Learning Outcome 2 and how can students show evidence?

Understanding Learning Outcome 2 (LO2)

• Learning Outcome 2 (LO2) requires students to demonstrate that they have undertaken challenges and developed new skills during the process

  • This outcome focuses on pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone—the set of familiar activities and environments where a person feels at ease

• Students should choose CAS experiences that are difficult but still realistic

Undertaking new challenges

• A challenge—an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one that demands personal effort

• Students must show a willingness to become involved in unfamiliar environments—situations or settings that the student has not experienced previously

• An experience counts as a challenge if it requires appropriate personal effort, whether it is a brand new activity or a deeper dive into a familiar one

• Meeting a challenge involves striving for new possibilities and discovering ways to overcome obstacles

Developing new skills

• New skills—abilities or expertise that a student acquires for the first time or develops further during an experience

• Students can meet this outcome by showing increased expertise in an established area—a field or activity where the student already has some prior knowledge or skill

• Acquiring new abilities through experiences never undertaken before is another way to demonstrate this growth

• The focus is on the process of learning and the expertise gained rather than just the final product

Evidence for the CAS portfolio

• The primary evidence for LO2 is found within the CAS portfolio—the collection of evidence and reflections showcasing your journey

• Reflections—the process of thoughtfully considering your thoughts and feelings—are used to describe the skills learned and challenges faced

• Students should include before—and—after reflections—entries that compare a student's initial skill level or expectations with their final accomplishments

• Evidence can also include supervisor feedback—comments from the person overseeing the activity regarding the student's progress and skill development

• Other supporting evidence may include photographs, videos or certificates that show the student participating in the challenge or mastering a skill