By using the learning to learn assessment totality one gets trustworthy information about the general learning abilities reached by school children. The method is in use foremost in national or municipal level assessments but it is suitable also as an instrument for the teacher to develop their work in single schools or classes.
Learning to learn means the skills related thought and problem solving and ideas directing learning that develop as a part of the education and as a result from it.
The assessment framework for learning to learn provides reliable information on the general learning abilities gained by pupils at school. The method is primarily used in national and municipal surveys but also suits individual schools and classes as a tool to support the development of teachers’ work.
When assessing learning to learn, the focus is on commitment to the learning assignment. This involves determining the level of skills and the beliefs that promote or hinder the utilisation of skills. The model for assessing learning to learn is based on the idea that suitably unexpected learning assignments provide impetuses to thinking and emotions, the interaction of which are the basis for completing the task.
Something familiar as well as something new and surprising are needed for learning assignments. Familiar and new together are both attractive and potentially threatening. Familiarity with the task means that pupils have the capacity to complete it – they have the necessary prior skills. At the same time, the element of something new requires the ability and willingness to apply previously acquired skills to a new situation. New tasks always include the possibility of error, and this threat of failure should be controlled. Pupils need to believe in their own learning skills, they need a perspective of hope. They must be willing and able to commit to the task at hand.
We have developed a test series of learning to learn for the central stages of transition at school
Learning to learn 10 – for third and fourth graders
Learning to learn 12 – for sixth and seventh graders
Learning to learn 15 – for ninth graders
Learning to learn 18 – for students on the second degree
In the assessment of learning to learn the pupils perform in the class specially designed tasks and respond attitudinal statements concerning learning and school.
The assessments conducted since 1996 have yielded a considerable amount of data about Finnish basic education, upper secondary schools and vocational institutions. These kinds of assessments have been carried out for both the Finnish National Board of Education as national surveys as well as individual schools and municipalities to support their development activities. Our reports on the assessment of learning to learn have been published as public reports. Please take a look at our reports and form a partnership with us.