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Learning to Learn: Why Self-Regulation Matters in Online Education
When it comes to doing well in school, it’s not just about being smart or outgoing. What really helps students succeed—especially in online or distance learning—is learning how to manage themselves. This is called self-regulated learning.
What is Self-Regulated Learning?
Self-regulated learning means being in charge of your own learning. It’s how students set goals, stay focused, use good study habits, and keep track of how they’re doing.
Psychologist Barry Zimmerman (2002) explained it like this: it’s a way for students to turn their thinking skills into real school success.
Self-regulated learners:
- Know how they learn best
- Make a schedule and stick to it
- Set learning goals
- Try different strategies if something doesn’t work
- Check their progress and reflect on what they’ve learned
These skills help students stay on track, especially when no one is watching over their shoulder.
Why Are These Skills So Important in Online Learning?
In a regular classroom, teachers give directions, reminders, and daily routines. But online learning is different. Students have to take more control over their time and work. That’s why self-regulated learning is so important.
Studies show that students who can manage their time, stay motivated, and take charge of their learning do better in online classes (Broadbent & Poon, 2015; Firat, 2022).
One study created a checklist called the Online Learning Readiness Scale. It measured things like:
- Being able to work on your own
- Staying motivated
- Feeling confident using a computer
- Asking questions and talking online (Hung et al., 2010)
What Do Real Online Students Say?
In a study of over 500 online college students, the most common advice for new learners was this: learn to manage your time (Venable, 2020). That was the one skill students said helped them the most—and the one they wished their school had helped them learn better.
Top Skills for Success:
- Time management
- Staying focused
- Taking initiative
- Being confident
- Not giving up easily
What COVID-19 Taught Us About Learning
When schools closed during the pandemic, many students had to learn at home for the first time. They had to organize their day, finish schoolwork on their own, and balance life with family and friends.
Even though it was hard, this experience helped students get a taste of what learning in college—or online—can be like (Brenner et al., 2022).
Get Ready for the Future: Build Your Learning Skills Now
Moving from high school to college or an online program can be a big change. But you can prepare by building your self-regulation “toolkit” now.
Tips for Students:
- Use a calendar or app to plan your time
- Set small, clear goals
- Take breaks and check your progress
- Ask for help when you need it
Tips for Teachers:
- Teach students how to plan and reflect
- Talk about learning strategies in class
- Show students how to manage time and avoid distractions
Self-regulated learning isn’t something you're born with—it’s something you can learn. And it makes a big difference, especially when learning online. When students know how to take charge of their learning, they’re not just ready for school—they’re ready for life.
What the Experts Say
In their book Teaching and Learning at a Distance (8th ed.), Simonson, Zvacek, and Schlosser (2023) explain that successful distance education is about more than just delivering content. It also involves helping students become independent, self-regulated learners who can take charge of their learning process.
This means schools and instructors should focus on giving students the tools to manage their time, stay motivated, and build good learning habits—skills that are just as important as the lessons themselves.
My Personal Experience
When I started graduate school, I quickly realized that self-regulated learning wasn’t optional—it was essential. I had to learn how to plan my time, set goals, and stay focused on my own. Balancing school with work and family responsibilities made it even more challenging.
Even now, self-regulation doesn’t come easily every day. But I’ve learned that small steps—like using a planner, setting priorities, and giving myself grace when things don’t go as planned—make a big difference. Learning to self-regulate is a skill that grows with practice.
References
Broadbent, J., & Poon, W. L. (2015). Self-regulated learning in online classes. The Internet and Higher Education, 27, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2015.04.007
Brenner, C., Stearns, L., Kalvin, C., & Ramsay, J. (2022). How students handled learning during COVID. Journal of Online Learning Research, 8(1), 55–68.
Firat, M. (2022). How learning strategies affect staying in online school. Open Learning, 37(3), 262–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2021.1934470
Hung, M. L., Chou, C., Chen, C. H., & Own, Z. Y. (2010). What makes students ready for online learning? Computers & Education, 55(3), 1080–1090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.05.004
Simonson, M., Zvacek, S., & Schlosser, C. (2023). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (8th ed.). Information Age Publishing.
Hey Mena,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post! You did a great job explaining self-regulated learning (SRL) and how it impacts student success in distance education. One thing I’d add is how helpful it can be when instructors model SRL strategies, like showing examples of goal setting, time management, or reflection. This can give learners a clearer idea of what SRL actually looks like in action.
Simonson and Zvacek (2024) mention that not all students come in with strong self-regulation skills, so it’s on us as designers to build in supports like checklists, pacing tools, or reflection prompts (p. 207). I also thought of Zimmerman and Schunk (2011), who emphasized how teaching students to set and monitor their own goals can boost motivation and persistence, especially in online courses.
I also liked your use of video and infographics, they really made the post engaging and easy to follow. Nice work!
References
Simonson, M., & Zvacek, S. (2024). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (8th ed.). Information Age Publishing.
Zimmerman, B. J., & Schunk, D. H. (2011). Self-regulated learning and academic achievement: Theoretical perspectives (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Mena, what an insightful post. This post makes a compelling case for the importance of self-regulated learning in online education. I especially appreciated the inclusion of Zimmerman’s (2002) definition and the reference to Hung et al. (2010), whose Online Learning Readiness Scale helps quantify critical readiness skills like time management and motivation.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to that, I’d add that self-efficacy is another essential factor. Artino (2008) found that students with higher academic self-efficacy were more likely to persist and perform better in online courses. This aligns with Simonson, Zvacek, and Schlosser’s (2023) point that distance learning must help students become independent learners.
The personal insights shared also reinforce the reality that self-regulation isn’t instinctive, it’s practiced. Supporting students with tools and habits early on can create a stronger foundation for success in any learning modality.
References
Artino, A. R. (2008). Academic self-efficacy: From educational theory to instructional practice. Perspectives on Medical Education, 1(2), 76–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-012-0012-5
Simonson, M., Zvacek, S., & Schlosser, C. (2023). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (8th ed.). Information Age Publishing.