Approaches to Learning

The aim of teaching and learning ATL skills is to produce self-regulated learners who demonstrate effective thinking and learning, from information processing to managing emotions. IB shares five broad skill organizers listed below. These skills build resilience in learning, teaching students how to deal effectively with setbacks and difficulties, how to respond positively, make changes and persevere—the skills of the self-regulated learner.



Thinking Skills
Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Information Transfer, Application, Analysis, and Reflection

Social Skills
Positive interpersonal relationships, Collaboration, Social-emotional Intelligence, Accepting Responsibility, Conflict Resolution

Communication Skills
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Viewing, Presenting, Non-verbal communication

Self-Management Skills
Organization, Spatial awareness, Time management, Safety, Healthy lifestyle, Codes of behavior, Informed choices

Research Skills
Information literacy, Media literacy, Formulating questions, Observing, Planning, Collecting data, Recording data, Organizing data, Interpreting data, Presenting research findings