Self-Regulated Learning: the essential factor for understanding and improving academic and clinical performance

Abstract

There is increasing interest in the importance of Self-Regulated Learning for the improvement of academic and clinical performance. Self-Regulated Learning is a dynamic and cyclical metacognitive process that coordinates an individual’s skill (techniques) and will (motivation) to achieve a clearly defined task. There are differences in key Self-Regulated Learning processes between high and low performers, especially goal setting and self-monitoring. Formative feedback on the use of key Self-Regulated Learning processes, which can be identified using microanalysis before, during and after an individual performs a specific task, can lead to improved performance. There is increasing awareness of the importance of both the social and educational environment on the use of Self-Regulated Learning, including the essential influence of the teacher.