Approaches to Learning

The five approaches to learning are thinking, communication skills, research skills, social, and self management. These approaches to learning are essential to the CAS experience and I have used throughout my first few months of my CAS experience. Firstly I believe the most important and useful approaches to learning in CAS is self management, I have used it a lot within the first trimester. Firstly I had to use it to set time apart for the classes that I was giving, give myself time to organize those classes, time outside of class to organize and manage the competition for Wharton and am now using it to set time apart for math help and also organizing larger events. These things that I am doing are all essential to the success of my CAS project and I am required to balance my time so that it actually continues functioning. Another ATL I have had to use is developing my research skills, I had to teach myself about investing so that I was able to teach these kids. Luckily this was much easier due to research skills that I have developed in school since 5th grade here at La Paz. Throughout the process I have been challenged to improve my social and communication skills. These have always been my skills that are lacking in the approaches to learning. But my CAS experience has forced me to develop those skills. This includes communicating with outside experts that I might not know to find resources to improve my project. This is super helpful as it pushes my boundaries and has given me more confidence to look for outside help, outside of my social bubble of comfort. This is huge as it will avoid me limiting myself and my social abilities. Overall throughout my La Paz journey I have seen these approaches to learning and therefore chosen what I do best, such as thinking, research and self management and this has been extremely helpful in the success of my CAS project. But due to the demanding experience of CAS it has required me to become more well rounded and minimize the gap in between my strong and weak approaches to learning. This will allow me to be more successful in CAS, IB, and the rest of my life. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: