Learning Dispositions: a comparative study

Learning to learn is a core competence, identified by the EU, for future citizens of Europe. However there is little consensus on what learning to learn is, and how it should be ‘taught’ and assessed. This study explores the findings from three related projects, in China, Italy, Spain and England which used the Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory to explore the learning power of students in primary classrooms. The study shows that learning to learn is culture specific and that extensive efforts should be put into the professional learning and practices of teachers if learning to learn is to become a key outcome of education and training across Europe.