Introducing the Approaches to Learning

Introducing the Approaches to Learning In the world of education, tests scores and academic reports often dominate the focus of students, parents, and educators. Too often we ignore the important aspects of learning that are not easily measured using quantitative data.

In the world of education, tests scores and academic reports often dominate the focus of students, parents, and educators. Too often we ignore the important aspects of learning that are not easily measured using quantitative data.

As an IB Continuum School, Northbridge supports and encourages students to focus on more than grades, but on the important skills that facilitate inquiry and life long learning.

These skills, called the ATLs (Approaches to Learning) by the IB, are  an integral part of teaching and learning at NISC and are meant to be transferable to the challenges our students will face in the real world and in their future careers beyond the walls of the classroom.

To encourage our students to focus on the ATL skills and reward them for the hard work they do every single day when they attend their classes, the Individuals and Societies Department at Northbridge announced a first round of recognitions to three students from the secondary level.

The recognitions for the month of August were centered around the ATL skill of Self Management. Students that show strong self management exhibit the following qualities:

• They organize their time and tasks effectively.

• They are proactive in managing their mental health.

• They reflect on the process of learning.

At the most recent Secondary School assembly, Mr. Donal O’Connell presented the DP Level recognition to Grade 12 student Dara Ung.

Dara was chosen for his consistent use of the organizational tools on Managebac to help him plan and organize his work on the Extended Essay.

Ms. Vivian Jack chose to recognize Grade 9 student Chayse Knipe. She explained to the crowd that Chayse earned the honor due to his improved organization in her class and his positive habit of always coming to her class prepared with his essential materials.

Finally, Ms. Emma Walker announced her choice for the Grades 6-8 recognition, Liza Leangtouch from Grade 7. Liza, Ms. Emma explained, is a student who has developed effective systems to stay organized at school and has always shared her organizational ideas with her peers to help them improve.

The Science Department plans on being the next to recognize students.  For the month of September the ATL that the teachers in the department will be focused on is Communication. Strong communicators exhibit the following qualities:

• They effectively exchange thoughts, ideas, and information.

• They are strong listeners that are able to process the communication they have with others and use it to take action.

• They are able to create and share their ideas through various formats and media.

The staff at NISC look forward to the opportunity to continue our celebration of the amazing work the students in our school are doing each and every day.

To learn more about the ATLs and how they connect to the teaching and learning at NISC please use the link/diagram below.