Self-Regulation

Self-regulation refers to the learner’s beliefs about how they engage in appropriate action, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to pursue valuable academic goals (Bembenutty, 2008). This is directly linked to a students motivation. Some important components of self-regulation are time management, task value, self-efficacy, test anxiety, and the purpose of a students studies. If students can be taught how to learn and how to control their metacognition they are more apt to succeed and complete their schooling (Kitsantas, Winsler & Huie, 2008). Self-regulated learners will look past all distraction in order to secure goal accomplishments. This is the type of motivational belief in success that is strived for in all students.

There are many theories as to how to best instill self-regulation in learners. The social cognitive theory breaks self-regulation down into 4 parts: 1) modeling 2) emulation 3) self-control, and 4) self-regulation. Barry Zimmerman proposed a cyclical model to self-regulation: Set valuable academic goals, select learning strategies, and assess the feelings and motivational beliefs necessary to attain goals (Bembenutty, 2008). Albert Bandura feels that self-regulated learning is linked to any major academic or human endeavor (Bembenutty, 2008).

Some of the inherent benefits of self-efficacy, a component of self-regulation, are that the learner plans and executes their own learning. To help learners who are not motivated it would be helpful to walk them through the process of setting strategic goals, planning how to execute your studies, and how and where to seek help when it is needed (Kitsantas, Winsler, & Huie, 2008). The Life Goals section of this website provides links for helping students and children choose how they want to execute their own learning, what their life goals are, and how to get there. By creating a healthy sense of self-efficacy in students it can lead to more successful students (Kitsantas, Winsler & Huie, 2008).

References

Bembenutty, H. (2008). The first word: A letter from the guest editor on self-regulation of

learning. Journal of Advanced Academics, 20(1), 5-16,194. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/222725196?accountid=12085

Kitsantas, A., Winsler, A., & Huie, F. (2008). Self-regulation and ability predictors of academic

success during college: A predictive validity study. Journal of Advanced Academics, 20(1), 42-68,194-195,197. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/222739437?accountid=12085