LO7 Ethics of Choices and Actions (DP IB Creativity, Activity, Service): Revision Note

What is Learning Outcome 7 and how can students show evidence?

Understanding Learning Outcome 7 (LO7)

• Learning Outcome 7 (LO7) requires students to recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

• Students must demonstrate an awareness of the consequences of their choices and actions during the planning and execution of CAS experiences

• Ethics in CAS involves exploring values, attitudes and behaviours—the way in which one acts or conducts oneself—while undertaking projects with significant outcomes

• Ethical action is grounded in the IB learner profile—ten attributes such as being principled and caring that require acting with integrity, honesty and a strong sense of fairness

• Students must understand that shared humanity—the recognition that all people have common rights and dignity—means acknowledging that others, with their differences, can also be right

Developing ethical reasoning

• Students should be able to identify ethical issues—situations where competing values or moral choices must be evaluated

• The process involves ethical reasoning—the ability to analyse and evaluate situations from different moral perspectives to decide if an action is justifiable

• Students must take cultural context—the social, religious and historical background of a community—into account when making a plan or ethical decision

• Ethical sensitivity helps students understand they are accountable for their choices and how those choices impact themselves, others and the community

Safety and responsible choices

• Ethical CAS includes the consideration of safety—the protection of oneself and others from danger or risk—by identifying and mitigating potentially dangerous outcomes

• Students should follow relevant legal/health and safety requirements, including completing risk assessments where required by the school or activity supervisor

• Responsible engagement includes obtaining consent and ensuring the dignity of those involved is maintained through respect and honour

• Examples of ethical dilemmas include:

  • Choosing to honour a commitment to a community partner over a personal social invitation

  • Researching the traditional practices of a community before visiting to avoid causing unintended disruption

Showing evidence in the portfolio

• Achievement of LO7 is primarily demonstrated through reflections

• Evidence should document the decision-making process used when facing challenges or uncertainties

• Reflections should describe ethical dilemmas—situations where there is no clear right or wrong and responsible choices must be made

• The CAS portfolio may include planning documents, emails or supervisor reports that highlight how fairness and safety were considered

• Some students use TOK-style questions to deepen reflections on ethics