APPROACHES to LEARNING

Communication skills: Exchanging thoughts, messages and information effectively through interaction Inquiry focus: How can students communicate through interaction Give and receive meaningful feedback Use intercultural understanding to interpret communication Use a variety of speaking techniques to communicate with a variety of audiences Use appropriate forms of writing for different purposes and audiences Use a variety of media to communicate with a range of audiences Interpret and use effectively modes of non-verbal communication Negotiate ideas and knowledge with peers and teachers Participate in, and contribute to, digital social media networks Collaborate with peers and experts using a variety of digital environments and media Share ideas with multiple audiences using a variety of digital environments and media Inquiry focus: How can students demonstrate communication through language? Reading, writing and using language to gather and communicate information Read critically and for comprehension Read a variety of sources for information and for pleasure Make inferences and draw conclusions Use and interpret a range of discipline-specific terms and symbols Write and for different purposes Understand and use mathematical notation Paraphrase accurately and concisely Preview and skim texts to build understanding Take effective notes in class Make effective summary notes for studying Use a variety of organizers for academic writing tasks Find information for disciplinary and interdisciplinary inquiries, using a variety of media Organize and depict information logically Structure information in summaries, essays and reports Understand and implement intellectual property Create references and citations, use footnotes/endnotes and construct a bibliography according to recognized conventions Identify primary and secondary sources

Collaboration skills: Working effectively with others Inquiry focus: How can students collaborate? Use social media networks appropriately to build and develop relationships Practice empathy Delegate and share responsibility for decision-making Help others to succeed Take responsibility for one’s own actions Manage and resolve conflict and work collaboratively in teams Build consensus Make fair and equitable decisions Listen actively to other perspectives and ideas Negotiate effectively Encourage others to contribute Exercise leadership and take on a variety of roles within groups Give and receive meaningful feedback Advocate for your own rights and needs

Organization skills: Managing time and tasks effectively Inquiry focus: How can students demonstrate organisation skills? Plan short and long term assignments; meet deadlines Create plans to prepare for summative assessments (examinations and performances) Keep and use a weekly planner for assignments Set goals that challenging and realistic Plan strategies and take action to achieve personal and academic goals Bring necessary equipment and supplies to class Keep an organized and logical system of information files/notebooks Use appropriate strategies for organizing complex information Understand and use sensory learning preferences (learning styles) Select and use technology effectively and productively Affective skills: Managing state of mind Inquiry focus: How can students manage their own state of mind? Mindfulness Practice focus and concentration Practice strategies to develop mental quiet Practice strategies to overcome distractions Perseverance Demonstrate persistence and perseverance Practice delaying gratification Emotional management Practice strategies to overcome impulsiveness and anger Practice strategies to prevent and eliminate bullying Practice strategies to reduce anxiety Practice being aware of body-mind connections Self-motivation Practice analyzing and attributing causes for failure Practice managing self-talk Practice positive thinking Resilience Practice ‘bouncing back’ after adversity, mistakes and failures Practice ‘failing well’ Practice dealing with disappointment and unmet expectations Practice dealing with change Reflection: (Re-)considering what has been learned; choosing and using ATL skills Inquiry focus: How can students be reflective? Develop new skills, techniques and strategies for effective learning Identify strengths and weaknesses of personal learning strategies (self-assessment) Demonstrate flexibility in the selection and use of learning strategies Try new approaches to learning and evaluate their effectiveness Consider content (What did I learn about today? What don’t I yet understand? What questions do I have now?) Consider ATL skills development (What can already do? How can I share my skills to help peers who need more practice? What will I work on next?) Consider personal learning strategies (How efficiently and effectively am I learning? What can I do to become a more efficient and effective learner? How can my understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses help me develop my own strategies for learning?) Consider ethical, cultural and environmental implications Keep a journal to record reflections