Developing self-regulated learning (SRL) processes (i.e., goal-setting, strategy use, self-monitoring, and attributions) can enhance motivational beliefs including self-efficacy, interest, and task value. In this article, SRL processes and motivation are conceptualized within a cyclical feedback loop, which demonstrates how SRL processes affect…

Our school career culminates in a set of exam results, but if students want to do well, attending lessons is not enough: the implicit expectation is that all students will reinforce learning independently outside of the classroom. Really effective learners employ effective independent study techniques, but when, how and where do they learn to do…

The trajectories of graduate students in school psychology are often highly individualized, but in a real and practical sense their journeys all have one thing in common. Before any graduate student can become a practitioner in the field of school psychology, they must pass the Praxis. The Praxis covers everything school psychology students have…

Studies have shown that parental involvement plays an important role in their children's academic success (Castro et al., 2015), but the problem is that many parents do not know how to help their children and often end up creating additional and unnecessary stress for their children as well as having their children develop negative attitudes…

Although tests and assessments--such as those used to maintain a physician's Board certification--are often viewed merely as tools for decision-making about one's performance level, strong evidence now indicates that the experience of being tested is a powerful learning experience in its own right: The act of retrieving targeted information from…

This paper provides a self-regulated learning intervention activity to help college students who are struggling with time management and study efforts. The activity is modeled on theory and empirical evidence related to the science of learning. The intervention activity is a weekly course completion plan designed for a specific course. Students…

The decision to explicitly teach students learning strategies and skills and how to think reflectively about their learning process is framed theoretically by the literature on self-regulation, metacognition, and social-cognitive theory. Interventions for self-regulation and metacognitive strategies can optimize the student learning process and…

Since the 1920s, colleges have offered how-to-study courses orientating students to the rituals of academic study. We present an historical overview of these courses by highlighting major developments including the emergence of courses that evolved from skill-based curriculum underpinned by behaviorism to strategy-based curriculum underpinned by…

College learning in Asian countries has been highly structured and mandated. For example, students are asked to complete a series of required courses, attend weekly face-to-face lectures, and take summative midterms and finals. However, traditional practices are unlikely to prepare self-directed learners to meet future challenges. Partly supported…

The purpose of this publication is to provide basic information to teachers about how to help students become independent learners. Its recommendations are based on the conceptual framework known as "self-regulated learning," or SRL. Self-regulated learners have flexible knowledge and skills that enable them to manage their cognition,…

Evidence suggests the use of 'metacognitive strategies' -- which get pupils to think about their own learning -- can be worth the equivalent of an additional +7 months' progress when used well. However, while the potential impact of these approaches is very high, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, less is known about how to apply them…

Learning and teaching science challenges many students and instructors. From four decades of helping students learn, ourselves teaching, and aiding educators teach chemistry, we have formulated some strategies that prove effective in improving learning and teaching. Specific teaching tactics such as establishing a contract for grading, and using…

In this article, "havruta," the dominant strategy for textual higher learning where pairs pour over texts slowly to decipher and argue about the meaning with each other, is explored as an appropriate pedagogy. The author describes how to facilitate interpersonal and textual skills in the middle school and high school classrooms. Texts…

Before the "big test" did you use the following study strategies: highlighting, rereading, and cramming? As students many of us probably did, yet research shows that while these three strategies are commonly used, they have been ineffective in retaining information. Learning strategies have been discussed in almost every textbook on…

Scientists, science teachers, and serious students recognize that success in science classes requires consistent practice--including study at home. Whether balancing chemical equations, calculating angular momentum, or memorizing the steps of cell division, students must review material repeatedly to fully understand new ideas--and must practice…