Training College Students to Use Learning Strategies: A Framework and Pilot Course

Abstract

The use of effective study strategies is important for academic achievement, yet research indicates that students often use relatively ineffective learning strategies. Though potent strategies to promote durable learning exist, there is a lack of theoretical and empirical work on how to train students to self-regulate use of these strategies successfully. We summarize a novel framework to do so: the knowledge, belief, commitment, and planning ( KBCP) framework. The assumptions are that learners must develop knowledge about a strategy and how to use it, believe that the strategy is effective for the individual learner, commit to the strategy, and create an action plan for carrying it out. We then describe an example of the KBCP framework as applied to a college course on teaching students effective learning strategies and self-regulation of these strategies in their college coursework. Lectures on specific learning strategies conveyed knowledge about the strategies, in-class demonstrations illustrated their efficacy (to support belief), and assignments required students to develop a plan for applying them to their courses and to implement the plan (to ensure commitment). Discussion focuses on the implications of including training in how to use learning strategies in psychology courses and curricula, and on the possible extension of such training to the teaching of other psychology content.

PLAT 20(3) 2021: Promoting Self-Regulated Learning: Training, Feedback, and Addressing Teachers’ Misconceptions

“…In self-regulated learning studies, however, the term "training" typically refers to providing some additional activity beyond the mere instruction of which learning strategies are effective that should include at least more than one session (Dignath et al, 2008) but not always does. For instance, participants may be granted the repeated experience of effort and success in performing a particular learning strategy and/or be given support in committing to and planning the more regular usage of this strategy (see McDaniel et al, 2021).…”

“…To our knowledge, the training programs that have been tested thus far have not directly trained students' skills to automatically identify which strategies to use in different situations. Thus, we suggest that self-regulated learning training should incorporate not just practice applying various learning strategies but also practice recognizing the situational cues that indicate which strategies to use (see McDaniel et al, 2021).…”

“…On a practical level, McDaniel et al (2021) implement this KBCP framework in a college course, with the goal that students would be able to know about effective learning strategies, learn how to apply them in a self-regulated fashion, and have positive personal experiences with effective self-regulated learning (Dignath & Veenman, 2021). The authors suggested that lectures convey the knowledge of learning strategies, in-class demonstrations boost students' belief in the efficiency of the learning strategies, and homework assignments guaranteed a certain level of commitment and motivation.…”

“…Van der Beek et al (2021) conducted a utility-value and implementation-intention intervention to enhance the likelihood of engaging in self-regulated learning in high school one year before graduation. Based on a theoretical (Knowledge-Belief-Commitment-Planning framework [KBCP]; see McDaniel & Einstein, 2020), McDaniel et al (2021) introduced a college course on applying efficient learning strategies. The course incorporated practical exercises to increase students' knowledge of these learning strategies, belief in their effectiveness, commitment to applying these strategies, and some prior planning to do so.…”

“…However, a utility-value and implementation-intention intervention did not increase the likelihood of participation. McDaniel et al (2021) reported a theoretical training framework addressing multiple components of self-regulated learning. The authors then tested a pilot college course based on this framework: knowledge of and belief in the effectiveness of learning strategies are targeted combined with efforts to promote students' commitment and planning to apply these strategies (Knowledge-Belief-Commitment-Planning framework; McDaniel & Einstein, 2020).…”