Approaches To Learning

The International Baccalaureate Approaches to Learning (ATL) are a set of skills and strategies that aim to help students become self-regulated, lifelong learners.  The ATL skills are designed to be integrated into the curriculum and applied across all subject areas. 

There are five categories of ATL skills:

1. Self-Management

2. Communication 

3. Thinking

4. Social

5. Research

Approaches to Learning (ATL) in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) are practical skills and strategies that teach students "how to learn."

The ATL Skills help students become independent, self-regulated, and lifelong learners. 

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile attributes represent who the student becomes as a learner, while Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills represent the actions and strategies you use to achieve them.

Think of it as a journey: the ATL skills are the vehicle you use to drive, but the Learner Profile is the identity of the driver at the destination. For example, you use Research Skills (ATL) so that you can become a better Inquirer (Learner Profile).