Service Program

Service in Schools

Service is an important part of many school learning programs, but with tightly packed schedules and many curriculum areas to cover, it may not get the space and teaching time required to ensure that it aligns with best practice. Entering into service experiences without the foundational understandings and support required can lead to misconceptions in students’ learning. This can pave the way for less than optimal experiences for students and the communities they are working with.

Are any of these questions arising at your school?

What can we do to ensure our teachers are well equipped and inspired to facilitate the delivery of service programs?

Are we building student agency sufficiently?

Are we using the most appropriate approach to teach for Sustainable Development and active Global Citizenship?

How are we integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into our students’ learning?

How do we make the connection between Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Service?

Is there consistency across student experiences of our service program?

How can we fit service into our timetable?

The Solution

Be The Change is a complete online program, delivering a robust service curriculum, through engaging lessons and a selection of carefully curated resources. This Turn-Key Online Curriculum uses the Student Agency in Service Method™ (SASM).

Be The Change develops deep conceptual understandings and builds the capacity of learners, thus enriching the service experience. It will transform existing service experiences to maximise the potential for learning. Be The Change ensures that, through service, young people develop socially and emotionally in a holistic manner.

Be The Change
Course

Be The Change
Toolkit

Program Structure and Themes

Be The Change Lessons are grouped into four parts:

Foundational Understandings

Connection with Self

Connection with Other

Connection with the Wider World

Be The Change connects service with the following concepts and themes:

Sustainability

Wellbeing and Mindfulness

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

21st Century Skills

Values based learning

Student Agency

Social and Emotional Learning

Systems Thinking

Student Agency in Service Method™ (SASM)

Service Related Theoretical Learning

Key concepts are taught explicitly prior to real life service engagements.

Choice and Engagement

Students choose from comprehensive resources that scaffold their practical service work.

Independence and Autonomy

BTC puts the knowledge and skills in the hands of the students, promoting ownership.

Guided Self Reflection

Reflection prompts and tools throughout BTC ignites and focuses agency.

Collaboration and Co-construction

BTC teaches students to establish and work in service groups, alongside community stakeholders.

Inspiration and Empowerment

BTC supports young people to learn they are needed and capable of affecting positive change.

Teacher
Agency

Turn-key program which empowers teachers to develop as Global Citizenship educators and act as guides promoting student agency.

Assessment and Feedback

BTC Course provides opportunities for formative assessment & the Toolkit promotes the documentation of learning.

“Student agency is thus defined as the capacity to set a goal, reflect and act responsibly to effect change. It is about acting rather than being acted upon; shaping rather than being shaped; and making responsible decisions and choices rather than accepting those determined by others.”

- OECD 2030 Future of Education and Skills

Client Spotlight

Melisa Pubil, American Community School of Abu Dhabi

Student Project Example

Students at American Community School of Abu Dhabi used Be The Change as a launchpad, gaining a “solid foundation for creating projects” through their engagement with the program.

They went on to develop the Youth Sustainability Alliance, which aims to accelerate sustainability initiatives and environmental awareness throughout the world

Find out more about their mission and projects here: https://www.youthsustainabilityalliance.com/blank-2

Student Testimonials

The course was engaging by providing a range of resources: supplementary information, articles, videos and quizzes to check-in throughout made sure I was truly absorbing all the new information I was given and helped me make connections in my learning.

StudentAmerican Community School, Abu Dhabi

I was challenged to think deep into this subject. What intrigued me was that it is simple yet so complicated. We need to think about so many prospects to bring about a positive change in society.

StudentTanglin Trust School, Singapore

I really enjoyed the case studies. I found them especially inspiring as many of them were my age and had the same passions/strengths that I do. Reading them made me want to act.

StudentAmerican School of Dubai

My most significant learning from Be The Change was learning about people who genuinely are doing something important for others and not themselves to impact those peoples lives.

StudentDiocesan School for Girls, New Zealand