The importance of developing learners’ self-regulated learning and critical thinking has captured the attention of researchers in recent decades. But interventions that are effective in developing such skills are scarce in the English school context. This study reports on the creation, design, implementation, piloting and evaluation of such an intervention - a four-week internet-based extra-curricular critical thinking course, Is this the right room for an argument? Designed by the researcher as a University of Oxford outreach course, it was provided, for the purposes of this study, to a group (N = 617) of eleven and twelve year old state-school students in England. Based upon self-regulated learning (SRL) and critical thinking (CT) research literature, the intervention comprised four elements which have been linked to progress in both SRL and CT: dialogic argumentation, written counterargumentation, self-reflection in a learning journal and critical thinking tests. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by constructing three experimental conditions and one control condition, which isolated the effects of different combinations of the intervention activities. Structural equation modelling, regression techniques and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to detect main and experimental effects on change in SRL and CT over time, whilst autoregressive cross-lagged path analysis models were specified to explore the process of SRL in action over the course of four learning events. There was an anticipated overall main effect of the intervention, on change in aspects of SRL, with small and medium effect sizes, and on CT, with a medium effect size. It was hypothesised that the use of the learning journal would promote change in SRL and that participation in argumentation would promote progress in CT. Both hypotheses were supported. Participants who self-monitored their learning experience in a learning journal reported significantly more gains in aspects of their SRL, compared with those who did not, with small and medium effect sizes. The extent of participation in dialogic argumentation predicted change over time in CT, with a small effect size, in metacognitive knowledge, with a large effect size and in motivational beliefs and efficacy for learning, with medium effect sizes. Repeated measures analyses detected significant and positive trends over time in metacognitive activity (elaboration strategies, volitional strategies, critical thinking and metacognitive experiences), with effect sizes ranging from small (volitional strategies) to large (elaboration strategies). A process analysis tracked metacognitive activity over four learning events, detecting statistically significant reciprocal relationships between observed critical thinking and self-reported elaboration strategies, and between volitional strategies and metacognitive experiences. Findings suggest that this intervention had a positive effect on change in both self-regulated learning and critical thinking. Specifically, the more participants engaged in dialogic argumentation the more the change in both outcomes. The effects of the intervention, on change in self-regulated learning, were significantly enhanced when the critical thinking activity (argumentation) was accompanied by the self-regulatory activity (the learning journal).

This study investigated the impact of an online concept mapping website (Concept Maps for Learning, or CMfL) designed to provide targeted formative feedback to students. The aims of this study were to determine the usefulness of CMfL for both teachers and students, as a tool for instruction and self-regulated learning. Additionally, the impacts of CMfL on supporting student learning were observed. This research site of this study was a Montessori high school, and the participating students were enrolled in the Ontario Grade 9 Academic Mathematics course. The educational philosophies deployed at the research site offered independence and flexibility to students with respect to how the Ontario Grade 9 Academic Mathematics course was approached, and therefore matched the self-regulated learning components of the study. This study measured student achievement across three milestones over the data collection period to analyse any cognitive impact that CMfL had on the participating students. Metacognitive impacts, as well as the students’ perception of usefulness of CMfL, were measured through surveys that were administered at the milestone points. Usefulness of CMfL from the teacher’s perspective was determined through interviews with the teacher. The participating students and teacher were also provided with the opportunity to provide feedback on how CMfL could be improved through the aforementioned surveys and interviews, respectively. The evidence collected over the study suggests that CMfL can be a useful tool for teaching and learning in a self-regulated environment, and that frequent engagement with CMfL may can support student learning. However, there is room for improvement that may increase student adoption and aid teaching strategy.

The primary purpose for this study was to learn more about the practice habits of young musicians by evaluating whether self-reported data collected with Miksza's (2012) Measure of Self-Regulated Practice Behavior for Beginning and Intermediate Instrumental Students (MSRPBBIIS) was predictive of the observed practice behaviors of young musicians. A secondary purpose was to examine the interactions between self-reported and observed practice behaviors in the self-regulated musical dimensions method (strategy selection and usage), time usage (time management behaviors), and behavior (choosing and monitoring outcome behaviors) and selected moderator variables to develop a more detailed understanding of students' practice and practice perceptions. Participants (N = 45) were selected from four Georgia schools. Miksza (2012) showed that data gathered with the MSRPBBIIS had acceptable internal consistency, reliability over time, and preliminary validity levels, but questioned the predictive validity of the self-report format. My regression analyses revealed that the MSRPBBIIS lacked predictive validity in all three observable dimensions: method (strategy selection and usage), time usage (time management behaviors), and behavior (choosing and monitoring outcome behaviors). This finding could be due to the unreliability of the self-report format in that young musicians may either report or perceive their practice efforts differently (as surveyed) than they regulate them (as observed). I found differences in the observed self-regulated learning behaviors of various subgroups within my sample. For example, high school students demonstrated more self-regulated learning behaviors than middle school students. Students who reported taking private lessons demonstrated more self-regulated learning behaviors than those who reported no private lessons. Additionally, percussionists demonstrated more self-regulated learning behaviors than woodwinds or brass students. Differences in self-reported self-regulated practice behaviors among subgroups repeatedly conflicted with observed self-regulated practice behaviors. Middle school students demonstrated less observed self-regulated learning behaviors but reported higher motive (self-efficacy, self- determination, and goal-setting), which means that they worked without an apparent plan, but were more confident that they would achieve success. Woodwinds also reported higher levels of self-regulated practice behaviors than percussion, but demonstrated these behaviors less during observations. Findings from this research suggest that teachers may not be able to rely on students' descriptions of their own practice efforts, and that those efforts vary according to private lessons, instrument family, and grade levels. Because students in my sample appeared to follow their band class routines during practice, overtly teaching and modeling self-regulated practice strategies during instrumental rehearsals and lessons might allow teachers to influence their students' practice behaviors.

The study examined how 5 adult Korean learners of English developed self-regulated learning (SRL) skills to overcome lexical problems in their English writing. Empirical studies have consistently shown that many of the greatest problems for ESL learners in writing are lexical in nature. The goal of the present study was to help participants to address these problems, first through tutored assistance and then more independently by controlling their uses of strategies through planning, monitoring, and evaluation processes. The study involved two phases: Phase 1 was exploratory in nature, in which I attempted to identify typical lexical problems Korean learners of English encounter in writing. Phase 2 included an intervention in the form of one-on-one tutoring that followed the cyclic model of SRL proposed by Zimmerman, Bonner, and Kovach (1996). I worked with 5 participants through the SRL cycle individually as they wrote and revised 3 argumentative essays. The intervention lasted for 9 weeks, focusing on developing the participants’ SRL skills in writing through the use of various strategies that were devised in Phase 1 and refined throughout Phase 2. I analyzed the participants’ difficulties and uses of strategies, self-ratings on their essays, and several measures of essay quality to examine changes in their SRL skills, self-efficacy, and writing skills. The participants initially encountered various types of difficulties in their English writing and primarily relied on self-employed strategies to cope with their difficulties. Over the course of the intervention, the participants’ attention to their difficulties and uses of various linguistic resources became progressively more focused and specific. Initially, the participants largely depended on their L1 to write their L2 essays, being chiefly occupied with the grammatical encoding of their communicative intentions. Subsequently, the participants displayed unique patterns in developing their SRL skills, which exerted positive influences on building their self-efficacy beliefs as writers and on improving the quality of their essays. Based on these findings, I emphasize the growing need for L2 writing teachers to incorporate language-focused, vocabulary-centered, and corpora-based instruction into their teaching practices. In turn, students require individual support and untimed writing tasks to develop SRL skills in writing.

I det inverterade klassrummet flyttas genomgångarna från klassrummet till videofilmer som eleverna ser på hemma. Lektionerna ägnas till stor del åt sådant som annars hade utgjort hemarbete för eleven. I denna studie analyseras gymnasieelevers uppfattning av denna undervisningsmodell i matematikämnet med fokus på videogenomgångarna och förändringar i hem- och skolarbete. Det framkommer att elevernas uppfattningar av videogenomgångarna kan kategoriseras utifrån deras grad av aktivitet under videogenomgången samt deras beroende av relationen mellan elev och lärare. I en jämförelse mellan enkla filmer, digitala animationer och klassrumsgenomgångar framhålls de enkla filmernas tydlighet och fokus på matematik, samt klassrumsgenomgångarnas flyktiga natur. Dessa resultat diskuteras utifrån en kognitiv modell för överbelastning av arbetsminnet. Eleverna uppfattar att deras arbetsbelastning är lägre i det inverterade klassrummet än i ett traditionellt klassrum eftersom det finns mer tid för egen räkning i klassrummet. Dessutom uppfattas videogenomgångar som mer effektiva än klassrumsgenomgångar trots att de är betydligt kortare. Den tid som frigörs när klassrummet inverteras har inte förändrat elevernas sätt att arbeta inom matematikämnet. Elevers respons på förändrade undervisningsvillkor analyseras med hjälp av en kognitiv teori för elevers reglering av sitt eget lärande. Utifrån denna teori diskuteras hur lärare kan ta tillvara på de ökade tidsresurserna och förändra elevers tänkande om matematik och deras lärande.

The main purposes of this study were to inquire into the effects of teaching of self-regulated learning and cognitive styles on learning achievement and attirude of science of elementary school students . Quasi-experimental design was used. Two classes of fifth-grade students from an elementary school in Kaohsiung County were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. After the Science Achievement Test, the Scale of Attitude for Learning Science, and the Scale of Cognitive Styles were administered on the two groups, the self-regulated learning instructtion was implemented in the Science class of the experimental group, while the control group was taught in the general way. After 8 weeks of instruction, the posttest and delayed test of the Science Achievement Test and the Scale of Attitude for Learning Science were administered on the two groups. The major findings of the study were as follows. (1) The experimental group got higher score than the control group in the learning achievement of science. (2) The learning achievement of science of different cognitive styles were promoted on the experimental group. (3) A significant difference was found on the interaction between the two groups and cognitive styles in the posttest scores of the learning achievement of science. (4) The experimental group got higher score than the control group in the learning attitude of science. (5) No significant difference was found between different cognitive styles in the learning attitude of science. (6) No significant difference was found on the interaction between the two groups and cognitive styles in the learning attitude of science. Based on the findings, some suggestions for science teaching practice and future research were proposed.

The purpose of this study was to explore self-regulated learning strategies (SRLS) and the relationship between SRLS and academic achievement of junior high school students with learning disabilities (LD). One hundred fifty-three male and seventy-five female LD students in Kaohsiung City were recruited in this study. Data were collected from the questionnaire and in-depth interview. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, multiple regression techniques were conducted to analyze the quantitative data obtained. In addition, an inductive content analysis was conducted to analyze the interview result. The main findings were as follows: 1. ¡§Goal-efficacy strategy¡¨ was the most common used of all participants; while SRLS ¡§meta-monitoring and value-affection strategies¡¨ was the least used. 2. Female LD students applied ¡§goal-efficacy strategy¡¨ and ¡§strategy-usage strategy¡¨ significantly more often than their male counterparts. 3. LD students with higher academic achievement used SRLS significantly more often than LD students with lower academic achievement. 4. There were a significant positive correlation between SRLS and academic achievement. ¡§Strategy-usage¡¨ in particular was the most significant predictor for LD students¡¦ academic performance. 5. The result of students¡¦ and teachers¡¦ interviews supported the quantitative result. Several explanations were found relating self-regulated learning strategies to LD students¡¦ academic performances. Based on these results, some suggestions were made for facilitating the LD education and future research.

International students often desire to study overseas and many countries, including New Zealand, welcome them into their schools and universities. Students from Mainland China, one of the most populous countries in the world and, until quite recently closed to the rest of the world, have, in the past few years, made up the large majority of those who come to New Zealand to study. Those wishing to enter university after completing high school in China must acquire a specified level of English and successfully complete a two semester long Foundation Studies course, before being eligible for undergraduate study. Research into independent or self-regulated learning has shown that Western (mainly American) students are much more successful academically and enjoy their studies more if they are willing and able to self-regulate their learning. This research has occurred mostly in Western settings with Western participants. The present research using a mixed methods approach aimed to examine the self-regulated learning, epistemological beliefs, demographic factors and personality traits of Mainland Chinese students studying in the Foundation Studies course and to determine whether any of these factors appeared to have any appreciable effect on their experiences in the course and on their final outcomes. The research found that while no one specific factor seemed to determine experiences and outcomes, it would appear that personality characteristics of face, optimism and other Dependability scores may mediate factors such as ability (measured by grades), length of time in the country, self-regulated learning and motivational strategies (such as organisation, time management, effort regulation and self-efficacy), and previous independent learning to influence these experiences and outcomes. While it appears that the North American theory of self-regulated learning is applicable to these students, it seems that cultural beliefs may affect which self-regulatory factor is most salient in their academic outcomes. Further research would be valuable to clarify these differences.

The high dropout rate of first year students is a major source of concern for the Department of Higher Education and Training and for Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s). Research indicated that students’ Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) skills and strategies play a significant role in achieving academic success at universities. Thus, the main aim of this study was to develop strategies for the development of SRL skills of first year university students. In order to achieve the research aim and objectives an extensive literature review was conducted on SRL and the relationship between SRL skills and the academic achievement of students at HEI’s. For the purposes of the empirical investigation, a mixed-method approach was followed. In the quantitative part of the investigation, the results of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), which was administered to the 2007 cohort of first year students (n=2421) at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University, were analysed to determine whether the subscales in the LASSI significantly predicted academic success and to identify variables that related to the first year students’ learning and study skills and academic achievement. In the qualitative part of the research, interviews were conducted during 2010, with a selected group of participants from the 2007 cohort of first year students who were then in their fourth year of study. The questions in the interviews were based on questions in the Self-Regulated Learning Inventory Schedule (SRLIS), and the aims were to explore the participants’ experiences with their studies and to determine which SRL skills, in addition to the skills assessed by the LASSI, influenced their studies and academic achievement. The quantitative analysis of the LASSI results revealed that: • Motivation, Time management and Information processing were the best LASSI predictors of the first year students’ academic success. • The independent biographical variables Grade 12 marks, age and gender correlated better with the first year students’ academic achievement than the LASSI subscales did. The qualitative investigation revealed that: • Successful students realised at the onset of their studies that they had to adapt their study methods to meet the challenges that studying at a university requires. • Successful students could differentiate between the different types of study material and could adapt their study methods accordingly. They could also adapt their study methods when the volume of the study material differed. • Successful students applied a repertoire of study methods in a flexible manner, and managed their time well. • Successful students conveyed knowledge of themselves as students, as well as of the different requirements that study at a university implicates. • Most of the successful students received information from parents, lecturers or principals about different study methods and could describe their learning styles and preferences clearly. • Some of the successful students could accurately infer which questions could be expected in the exam papers, and knew how and why these questions were asked. • Successful students set realistic academic goals for themselves. • Unsuccessful students did not consider their own study preferences or the academic requirements of the university. • Unsuccessful students did not manage their time well and were not motivated. On the basis of the findings, strategies were proposed for the development of SRL skills of first year students at universities. The strategies are presented as a compulsory programme that first year students have to complete in the first semester. / Thesis (PhD (Teaching and Learning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The high dropout rate of first year students is a major source of concern for the Department of Higher Education and Training and for Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s). Research indicated that students’ Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) skills and strategies play a significant role in achieving academic success at universities. Thus, the main aim of this study was to develop strategies for the development of SRL skills of first year university students. In order to achieve the research aim and objectives an extensive literature review was conducted on SRL and the relationship between SRL skills and the academic achievement of students at HEI’s. For the purposes of the empirical investigation, a mixed-method approach was followed. In the quantitative part of the investigation, the results of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), which was administered to the 2007 cohort of first year students (n=2421) at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University, were analysed to determine whether the subscales in the LASSI significantly predicted academic success and to identify variables that related to the first year students’ learning and study skills and academic achievement. In the qualitative part of the research, interviews were conducted during 2010, with a selected group of participants from the 2007 cohort of first year students who were then in their fourth year of study. The questions in the interviews were based on questions in the Self-Regulated Learning Inventory Schedule (SRLIS), and the aims were to explore the participants’ experiences with their studies and to determine which SRL skills, in addition to the skills assessed by the LASSI, influenced their studies and academic achievement. The quantitative analysis of the LASSI results revealed that: • Motivation, Time management and Information processing were the best LASSI predictors of the first year students’ academic success. • The independent biographical variables Grade 12 marks, age and gender correlated better with the first year students’ academic achievement than the LASSI subscales did. The qualitative investigation revealed that: • Successful students realised at the onset of their studies that they had to adapt their study methods to meet the challenges that studying at a university requires. • Successful students could differentiate between the different types of study material and could adapt their study methods accordingly. They could also adapt their study methods when the volume of the study material differed. • Successful students applied a repertoire of study methods in a flexible manner, and managed their time well. • Successful students conveyed knowledge of themselves as students, as well as of the different requirements that study at a university implicates. • Most of the successful students received information from parents, lecturers or principals about different study methods and could describe their learning styles and preferences clearly. • Some of the successful students could accurately infer which questions could be expected in the exam papers, and knew how and why these questions were asked. • Successful students set realistic academic goals for themselves. • Unsuccessful students did not consider their own study preferences or the academic requirements of the university. • Unsuccessful students did not manage their time well and were not motivated. On the basis of the findings, strategies were proposed for the development of SRL skills of first year students at universities. The strategies are presented as a compulsory programme that first year students have to complete in the first semester. / Thesis (PhD (Teaching and Learning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012