Very often, university students deliberately form self-organized study groups, e.g. to study collaboratively for an upcoming exam. Yet, very little is known about what regulation problems such self-organized study groups encounter during their learning process and how they try to cope with these problems. Therefore, this study investigates how completely self-organized groups (i.e., non-guided groups outside the classroom that form without external impulse) regulate their collaborative learning process when faced with different kinds of regulation problems. More specifically, we tested the hypotheses that members of self-organized study groups are more satisfied with their group learning experience (a) the more homogeneous their problem perceptions are within their group, (b) the more they apply immediate (rather than non-immediate) strategies to remedy their regulation problems, and (c) the more frequently they apply regulation strategies. In a longitudinal study, N = 122 students, voluntarily studying for their exams in N = 52 groups, were asked to indicate the types of problems they experienced, the types of strategies they used to tackle those problems, and their satisfaction with their group learning experience after each of their self-organized study meetings. Hierarchical linear modeling confirmed all hypotheses. Qualitative analysis of two selected groups' selfreported situational data provided additional insights about the mechanisms that may have contributed to the results. Our study provides important directions for future research, including the recommendation to identify the processes by which groups (a) can reach homogeneity of problem perceptions and (b) coordinate the choice of appropriate strategies within the group.

Students must engage in self-regulated learning in computer-based learning environments; however, many students experience difficulties in doing so. Therefore, this study aims to investigate self-created metacognitive prompts as a means of supporting students in their learning process and improving their learning performance. We conducted an experimental study with a between-subject design. The participants learned with self-created metacognitive prompts (n = 28) or without prompts (n = 29) in a hypermedia learning environment for 40 min while thinking aloud. In a second learning session (stability test), all participants learned about a different topic without prompts. The results showed no clear effect of the self-created metacognitive prompts on the learning process and performance. A deeper analysis revealed that students’ prompt utilization had a significant effect on performance in the second learning session. This study contributes to the research investigating how students can be supported in ways that enhance their learning process and performance.

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Abstract. Learning from multiple documents is challenging, amongst other things, because authors often do not use the same words for the same concept. Derived from theoretical considerations and earlier research, it was assumed that different wording across multiple documents leads to higher cognitive load but can be beneficial for the learning of highly motivated students. In the present study, N = 100 university students (laypersons with regard to the topic) took part. They read two texts on the topic of depression either with the same wording or with different wording and worked on a case study. Prior knowledge, epistemic beliefs, cognitive load, motivational state during learning, and post learning knowledge were assessed. While controlling for prior knowledge, a significant interaction effect was found from wording and motivational state on post knowledge about concepts. Different wording was beneficial only for students with relatively high motivation. However, wording had no effect on cognitive load.