What are the Approaches to Learning (ATLs)?
These are skills which you should have developed through personal experiences, as well as in your various subject groups. These skills form the foundation for learning to work independently and in groups, conducting valuable research; and demonstrating and reflecting upon your learning. Ultimately, these are the transferable skills which can be utilized in any subject area, as well as in your everyday interactions as a local and global citizen.
During the process of completing the project, you will need to regularly reflect on the ATL skills used to complete that specific portion of work. Your process journal entries, as well as your final presentation/report should state specifically which skills were used and how.
During the process of completing the project, you will need to regularly reflect on the ATL skills used to complete that specific portion of work. Your process journal entries, as well as your final presentation/report should state specifically which skills were used and how.
Sample of a limited reflection on the ATLs:
I used communication and also social ATL skills.
*Name withheld for privacy purposes, SISD Student, 2017.
Sample of a good reflection on the ATLs:
Communication and social skills were an important part of my project. Without these two skills my project would not have reached a substantial level. In the start I needed to communicate and socialize with many people to understand and learn more about the chosen topic for my project. I did this by creating a survey monkey and interviewing class mates as about what they thought about my ideas and if they had any remarks prior to the creation stage. My father, being a chef, knew a lot about my topic and hence needed to communicate with him to gain further knowledge about my topic as well as the interviews I did with a personal trainer and a doctor. The communication skills were also necessary within the communication between my supervisor and myself. I needed to use the feedback given to me in order to make changes to my work to improve the overall quality. I also asked others
besides my supervisor if they had any remarks about my project and if they did I would use it to my advantage. I also communicated with professionals at magazine making and in this situation I again needed to utilize both skills to communicate ideas.
Famke Boenk, Dubai International Academy, 2017
The ATL Skills:
This document lists the main Approaches to Learning categories, namely: Thinking, Communication, Social, Self-Management, and Research skills; and their respective subcategories and skills.
(Document shared with me by Daniel Baker, MYP Category 3 Projects Workshop, Dubai, 2015)
(Document shared with me by Daniel Baker, MYP Category 3 Projects Workshop, Dubai, 2015)