Most of us, even those who are highly committed to learning and supporting others in their learning, are not very practiced in thinking or speaking about the ways in which we learn and our approaches to learning. This presentation will outline one empirically derived and extensively trialled learning inventory and consider how it can increase inclusion through aiding transition into HE. The Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory provides a shared language and framework and has been effectively used with a range of groups including young offenders, school students considered to be under performing and NEETs.

1. Approaches to learning One framework
Improving The Effective Lifelong Learning
Many are unfamiliar with and
transition unsupported in their thinking about Inventory, ELLI.
the ways in which they learn.
through Ÿ
Ÿ
empirically developed
extensively trialed across age
They may struggle to talk about
approaches approaches to learning because range, culture and context.
they have no framework for
to learning thinking about learning. Deakin Crick et al., 2004
Small and Deakin Crick, 2008
The OU experience to date cont...
Over two studies over 100 students Colleagues in KMI, working on the and of other UK HEIs
engaged with ELLI, and 10 AL OU’s Social Learn development
mentors. are collaborating with Bristol on A dozen universities took part in
building useful web based ELLI the ELLI in HE study that reported
Ÿ nearly every participant (student tools. in (Small and Deakin Crick, 2008).
and staff) found it a useful and
positive activity See Buckingham Shum, 2011a Bedfordshire and Northumbria will
Ÿ several staff involved continued and 2011b this year report on their
to use the dimensions Dispositions to Stay project. Partial
Ÿ those near the beginning of their reports in (Thomson, 2010 and
studies reported the most benefit Thomson, 2011)
Leads to the possibility ELLI could It is used at least in Bristol,
help students in their transition to Gloucester and Glyndwr
HE study.
Edwards and Hush, 2009;
Edwards, 2010; Edwards, 2011

2. References
BUCKINGHAM SHUM, S. 2011a. ELLI profiles: size matters. Learning Emergence [Online].
Available: http://learningemergence.net/2011/10/09/elli-profiles-size-matters/.
BUCKINGHAM SHUM, S. 2011b. ELLIment. Learning Emergence [Online]. Available:
http://learningemergence.net/tools/elliment/.
DEAKIN CRICK, R., BROADFOOT, P. & CLAXTON, G. 2004. Developing an Effective Lifelong
Learning Inventory: The ELLI Project. Assessment in Education, 11, 247-273.
EDWARDS, C. Can reflections on approaches to learning improve induction, performance and
retention? In: PEDROSA-DE-JESUS, M. H., EVANS, C., CHARLESWORTH, Z. M. &
COOLS, E., eds. 15th Annual Conference for the European Learning Styles Information
Network - Exploring styles to enhance learning and teaching in diverse contexts, 2010
Aveiro, Portugal. University of Aveiro, 532-542.
EDWARDS, C. 2011. Embedding Reflective Thinking on Approaches to Learning - Moving
from Pilot Study to Developing Institutional Good Practice. In: VANTHOURNOUT, G.,
COERTJENS, L., DONCHE, V., GIJBELS, D., EVANS, C., COOLS, E. & PEDROSA-DE-
JESUS, M. H., eds. The 16th Annual Conference of Education, Learning, Styles,
Individual differences Network, 2011 Antwerp, Belgium. Tribun EU, 48-54.
EDWARDS, C. & HUSH, M. 2009. Supporting Self-Reflection in Students Learning at a
Distance. In: CHARLESWORTH, Z. M., EVANS, C. & COOLS, E., eds. Learning in
Higher Education - How Style Matters. European Learning Styles Information Network,
17-19 June 2009 Bulle-en-Gruyère, Switzerland. Brno: Tribun EU, 64-73.
SMALL, T. 2010. Values in Motion: From Confident Learners to Responsible Citizens
International Research Handbook on Values Education and Student Wellbeing. In:
LOVAT, T., TOOMEY, R. & CLEMENT, N. (eds.). Springer Netherlands.
SMALL, T. & DEAKIN CRICK, R. 2008. Learning and Self-Awareness: an enquiry into
Personal Development in Higher Education Bristol: University of Bristol.
THOMPSON, J. Dispositions to Learn: Supporting personal development for success in Higher
Education. In: PEDROSA-DE-JESUS, M. H., EVANS, C., CHARLESWORTH, Z. M. &
COOLS, E., eds. 15th Annual Conference for the European Learning Styles Information
Network - Exploring styles to enhance learning and teaching in diverse contexts, 28 - 30
June, 2010 2010 Aveiro, Portugal. University of Aveiro, 543 - 551.
THOMPSON, J. The Cognitive Needs Look After Themselves. In: VANTHOURNOUT, G.,
COERTJENS, L., DONCHE, V., GIJBELS, D., EVANS, C., COOLS, E. & PEDROSA-DE-