Learning to learn: what is it? and can it be measured?
Author(s):
Bryony Hoskins Ulf Fredriksson
Conference:
ECER 2008
Network:
9. Assessment, Evaluation, Testing and Measurement
Format:
Paper

Session Information

09 SES 03A, Tools and Methods in Assessment (Part 1)

Paper Session

Time:
2008-09-10
14:00-15:30
Room:
AK2 139
Chair:
Sabine Hornberg

Contribution

Learning to learn has been identified as one of eight key competences mentioned in the EU Recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning adopted by the Education Council and the European Parliament in December 2006. Learning to learn has also been identified as an area in which it is important to develop indicators to follow the development of the European education systems. In this context it is important to explore the concept learning to learn and analyse if and how it can be measured. This paper will examine different definitions of the concept learning to learn and relate it to the notion of competence and key competences. It also explores how learning to learn could be tested. It argues that existing tests that examine intelligence, problem solving, reading or mathematics are limited for testing learning to learn. The cognitive aspects of such a learning to learn test may have a high correlation with these tests results but even this is unsure and to what extent they measure the ability to learn. In addition, learning to learn has a strong affective component and this has yet to be measured and compared across countries. Specific tests trying to measure learning to learn have been constructed in some European countries by the University of Helsinki, the University of Bristol, the University of Amsterdam as well as others. The European Union has been supporting the development of an instrument on learning to learn which combines these instruments into a single tool. A prepilot of this instrument will take place between March –June 2008 and a European report is expected in August 2008. This report will be used towards creating an EC Communication on learning to learn in Autumn 2008. The European process of developing an instrument will be discussed and the preliminary results of this prepilot, if available, will be used to enhance the discussion.

Method

European Learning to learn instrument

Expected Outcomes

The extent that learning to learn can be tested and whether the current instruments available are able to achieve this

References

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Author Information

Bryony Hoskins
EC
Angera (VA)
104
Ulf Fredriksson
Mid Sweden University
Education Department
Härnösand
186

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