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Journal article
The role of service-learning in the International Baccalaureate: a scoping review, 2014–2024
Social sciences & humanities open, Vol.12, 102088
2025
Abstract
The International Baccalaureate's (IB) mission centres on intercultural understanding and respect that fosters global citizenship. One strategy used to enact this mission across the IB programmes is service-learning, from Action in the Primary Years Programme to Service as Action in the Middle Years Programme to Creativity, Activity and Service in the Diploma and Career-related Programmes. After setting out to understand how philosophy shapes and defines service-learning within the Asian IB context, a scoping review found scant literature in this area. Instead, it captured tensions between the ideological aims of service-learning and IB action locally. And rather than shared interpretations of the service-learning concept and its consistent implementation across the IB programmes, the review found that understandings are shaped by a combination of IB philosophy and values, school structure, teachers' lived experiences, and cultural contexts. These tensions and the absence of a universal definition of service-learning suggest that the IB mission may not be fully realised and Western-centric normalisation in the enactment of service-learning is evident. Research is needed to determine if the IB mission can deliver on its goals of international-mindedness and global citizenship, through service-learning. Such research could lead to IB programme refinement and bring clarity to how teachers can navigate inherent tensions in delivering service learning in local contexts.
Details
- Title
- The role of service-learning in the International Baccalaureate: a scoping review, 2014–2024
- Authors/Creators
- Dianne Gamage - School of Education, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, AustraliaSusan Ledger - Supreme Council Of HealthKathleen Smithers - School of Education, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, AustraliaLyn Karstadt - Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
- Publication Details
- Social sciences & humanities open, Vol.12, 102088
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd.
- Identifiers
- 991005835763607891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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