Encouraging Self-regulated Learning

The importance of encouraging Self-regulated Learning (SRL) in the classroom is something that should be at the top of a teacher’s to-do list. A number of stimuli that students are exposed to daily is something that teachers are not familiar with when they look back to their education days. Cell phones, laptops, and a constant connection to social media are a few of the advances in technology that students have to learn when to use and when to put away, which can be difficult at their age.

SRL is a process of assisting students in managing their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions when they are in the process of acquiring new information or skills (Schunk & Zimmerman, 1998).

How can we as teacher help students through this process?

Plan- Encourage students to set an action plan. This can be goals they want to accomplish for the day, week, or month. How are they going to allocate their time? Encourage students to plan realistic times to spend on certain assignments and coursework.

Self-Monitoring- Facilitate students to adopt strategies to keep them on task. Considerations can be limiting facebook or cell phone use while studying. An example one of my students mentioned in class was studying for 45 minutes then taking a 15-minute social media break.

Reflection- Encourage students to look back and think about what worked for them and what they could have improved on. I regularly have students reflect on assignments and tests.

A big thing I try to do is relate with my students. I’m pursuing my master of education degree and have a lot of things taking up my time. I struggle at times and still set mini goals, plan study breaks, and monitor my cell phone usage while going through course-work.

Self-regulated Learning is an ongoing process!


Dave


References

Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (1998). Self-regulated Learning: From Teaching to Self-reflective Practice. Guilford Press.