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The key information from this document can be found in MYP: From Principles to Practice, May, 2014, ibo The Approaches to Learning (ATLs ) are an essential component of the I.B. They encourage students to understand that learning goes on throughout their lives and that it can be a source of enjoyment and satisfaction when backed up with useful learning tools. Having self-knowledge about the ways in which they best learn is therefore essential for a student, it can empower rather than limit them. Having self-knowledge can also lead to increased confidence in this respect as well as an understanding their responsibility for playing an active role in their own learning. Each student is seen to have their own way of learning and they are expected to help to find the way that suits them best. It is their responsibility to then apply these methods with inquisitiveness and perseverance. Taking responsibility for one's own learning is seen as essential to personal growth and understanding of an individual, it can also build self confidence. The focus of ATL in the MYP is on helping students to develop the self-knowledge and skills they need to enjoy a lifetime of learning. ATL skills empower students to succeed in meeting the challenging objectives of MYP subject groups and prepare them for further success in rigorous academic programmes like the DP and the IBCC. Some useful questions for a student to think about in terms of ATLs: (1) What can I do to become a more efficient and effective learner? (2) How can I become more flexible in my choice of learning strategies? (3) What strategies are important in helping me learn well? (4) What are my present ATL skills in this area? (5) What ATL skills can I improve on (6) What new skills might I learn to help me? ATLs are skills which have relevance across the curriculum, they can help students " learn how to learn.". The idea being that once a student is aware of how they best learn and knows the appropriate structures to put into place to help them learn successfully, then they realise they will be able to continue to apply these skills throughout life. In a way, by understanding and getting on top of the processes,they are freeing themselves to be immersed in, indeed enjoy, the area they are learning about. In the MYP, ATL encompasses both general and discipline-specific skills. Many ATL skills are applicable to all MYP subject groups; these general “tools for learning” can be tailored to meet the specific needs of students ATL skills can be learnt and taught, improved with practice and developed incrementally. They provide a strong foundation for learning independently and with others. ATL skills help students to prepare for and demonstrate learning through meaningful assessment There are five skill categories: Communication Social Self-management Research Thinking The MYP extends the I.B. A.T.L.S into ten developmentally appropriate clusters. This framework provides common ground from which schools can develop |
The most effective way to develop ATL is through ongoing, process-focused disciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Teachers can use a wide range of content, developed through MYP key and related concepts and global contexts, as a vehicle for teaching effective learning strategies. Likewise, ATL skills can be powerful tools for exploring significant content. This dual focus (content and process, knowledge and skills) promotes student engagement, deep understanding, transfer of skills and academic success.
All teachers in MYP schools are responsible for integrating and explicitly teaching ATL skills.
Over time, students should develop clear and sophisticated understandings of how they learn best and how they can evaluate the effectiveness of their learning. This kind of self-regulated (independent and autonomous) learning helps students:
- reflect purposefully on their learning (metacognition)
- understand the diversity of human learning needs
- evaluate and provide evidence of their learning
- meet MYP subject group aims and objectives
- share responsibility for creating productive, cooperative and safe learning environments
- develop the confidence to try new strategies and explore new concepts and contexts for learning
- prepare for further study and responsible participation in local and global communities.
ATL skills are informed by, and support the development of, the attributes of the IB learner profile