Trace-based system for metacognitive behavior in online learning activity

This article presents a “trace-based system” (TBS) integrated in a hypermedia learning environment (HLE). This HLE also includes metacognitive incentives with the aim of increasing the self-regulated learning behavior among learners. Digital traces of the activities recorded by the system enabled us to evaluate how learners performed metacognitive activities (orientation by objectives, planning, specification of goals, research & judgment, evaluation and monitoring). Using our TBS has allowed us to examine patterns of individual navigations through the HLE that reflect quality of self-regulation, the nature of the privileged pathways of learners, resources visited and time spent on each type of cognitive regulatory activity. This article describes the structure of the TBS and the results of his experiment.