As a graduation requirement here at Bedford High School students are required to achieve a set of Real World Learning Hours. This includes community service, democracy in action, cultural enrichment, and school activity. Real world learning hours are meant to encourage students to pursue opportunities that promote learning and growth in various aspects of the IB learner profile that BHS strives to encapsulate.
The first requirement is 16 hours of community service. This is extremely valuable for students, because it forces them to seek out an opportunity to give back to the community. There are several amazing organizations for students to become involved in, that allow them to earn their community service hours. In addition, community service can strengthen a job or college application. When involved in an organization, students can build stronger communication skills, and explore human connection through empathy and compassion. Students can also take on leadership roles within organizations that help teach confidence and decision-making skills. As another part of RWL hours, students must achieve 32 total hours of school activity, 8 hours each year. This encourages students to join a school club, team, or an arts program. As a result, students get the opportunity to connect with other students of similar interests. BHS offers a wide variety of clubs and programs for students to join, including arts, sciences, maths, arts, athletics and so much more. There is a place for every student to become involved. Students are also required to have 8 hours of democracy in action. Democracy in action is meant to motivate students to gain an understanding of current politics, and law. If a student accompanies a parent or guardian during voting, they can receive democracy in action hours. Students can also log hours for attending student council elections. As the last part of Real World Learning students need 8 hours of cultural enrichment. This includes attending plays, traveling, viewing history and more. This allows students to explore culture, and arts from a new perspective. They provide students with a more nourished understanding of the world around them.
All of these categories allow students to navigate new challenges and develop new understandings that are important to intellectual development. I believe it is valuable for students to assert themselves into the world, and Real World Learning provides an incentive to do so. However, when entering RWL hours into the X2vol website, it is important to be sure to include all the information, to receive credit. If you have any questions about Real World Learning Hours, talk to your advisor!
Comments are closed.