1. Teaching and Designing Online STEM Courses to Support Self-Directed Learning Skills
- Author
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SRI Education, Louise Yarnall, Rebecca Griffiths, and Hannah Cheever
- Abstract
This study reviewed applied research literature testing the efficacy of using instructional strategies to develop college students' self-directed learning skills. Researchers conducted a systematic database review of recent empirical studies from 2011 through 2021 and synthesized findings from four recent literature reviews into for two types of self-directed learning processes--motivational and metacognitive. The review sought to identify instructional strategies that could be adapted to online courses and showed promising evidence of increasing college students' reported use or awareness of self-directed learning skills or improving academic success in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) courses, particularly those offered in the first year of higher education. The initial database search found 4,263 studies using terms related to "self-regulated learning," STEM domains, technology use, and both postsecondary and secondary students. Initial screening focused on studies using self-regulated learning as either an outcome or predictor variable in classroom interventions with a college or high school population reduced the sample to 209 studies. Subsequent screening identified 15 studies using treatment-comparison design with baseline equivalence and outcomes related to course grades, domain knowledge, and self-regulated learning skills. Our review found that several strategies showed significant positive impacts on academic outcomes or self-reported use of self-regulated learning skills and appeared adaptable to online learning application. We ultimately drew from literature beyond self-regulated learning, including motivational frameworks such as self-determination theory. Consultations with education partners favored aligning our framework with the adult-learning orientation of self-directed learning theory. We synthesized these findings with the findings from the four recent literature review that showed promising results for all students or historically marginalized populations. [This report was created by the Postsecondary Teaching with Technology Collaborative.]
- Published
- 2023