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What is self-regulated learning? An overview

Learning is a lifelong adventure. And, like all the best adventures, the path we take is up to us. One of those paths is called ‘self-regulated learning’, and it can be a powerful roadmap for anyone looking to take control of their learning. But what is self-regulated learning, exactly?

‘In simple terms, self-regulated learning refers to intentional learning,’ says Annisa Laura Maretha, Deakin University graduate researcher. ‘It is when individuals learn something on purpose. They decide what they want to achieve, choose strategies that suit their learning style, and monitor their progress so they can adjust when necessary.’

While the idea of learning ‘styles’ (like visual, auditory or tactile) might actually be a myth, becoming a self-regulated learner is more about introspection and figuring out what helps us learn best as individuals.

‘Self-regulated learning aims to help learners understand ‘how’ they learn best, stay motivated when learning feels challenging, build confidence, and use what they learn across different subjects and real-life situations,’ says Maretha.

Feeling ready to take control of your own education? Let’s explore how self-regulated learning works and how you can use it yourself.

What are self-regulated learning strategies?

Educational psychologist Barry Zimmerman is the brain behind self-regulated learning.

According to Zimmerman, there are three self-regulated learning strategies or phases: plan, do and reflect (otherwise known as forethought, performance, and reflection). The idea is to use these phases as a cycle that improves your learning with each repetition. Here’s how Maretha sums up the phases:

Forethought/plan: ‘Before you start, decide what you want to learn, why it’s important, how much time you’ll spend, and how you’ll go about it,’ Maretha says.
Performance/do: ‘As you work, notice if you understand, if something is tricky, and if you can explain it in your own words.’
Self-Reflection/reflect: ‘Afterwards, ask yourself what went well, what didn’t, and what you’ll try differently next time.’

What are the steps involved in self-regulated learning?

Self-regulated learning isn’t about instant perfection – it’s a strategy that can help you take control of your own learning over time. The phases listed above are high-level strategies, but Maretha has some more specific steps involved with self-regulated learning:

Set a clear goal
This is part of the forethought/plan phase and, at this stage, it’s good to think about exactly what you want to achieve. ‘For example, “I want to write a strong introduction that clearly answers the essay question,”’ says Maretha. ‘Or “I want to confidently use 10 new phrases in conversation this week.”’
Pick a strategy
Step two is still part of forethought/planning, but it’s all about choosing the best way to reach your learning goal.‘Examples include watching a video or listening to an audio clip, reading notes or textbooks, doing practice questions or exercises, or teaching someone else what you’ve learned,’ Maretha says.
Check your understanding
Here, you’re moving into the performance/doing phase of self-regulated learning, which is all about seeing how much you understand what you’re trying to learn.‘Pause and ask yourself, “Do I really understand this?” or “Can I solve this without looking at my notes?”’ says Maretha.
Make adjustments if needed
As you check your understanding, you’ll be able to get a sense of how your strategy is performing. If it isn’t working, Maretha says this is the time to change your approach.‘For example, try a different study method; ask a teacher, friend, or mentor for help; or break the task into smaller steps.’
Reflect and improve
When you’re finished, it’s time to move into the self-reflection phase. Reflect on what worked and what you might do better. ‘For instance: “I’ll start with examples instead of reading all the theory first next time,”’ says Maretha. ‘Or “I remembered better when I practised out loud, so I’ll do more of this!”’

What are examples of self-regulation in learning?

Self-regulated learning isn’t just an abstract concept – it’s a practice to help you learn and improve. The steps can be applied to any subject or idea you’re trying to learn, but let’s look at a couple of specific examples of self-regulation to get started.

Self-regulated learning in language acquisition

Being able to speak another language is a great skill to have – it might even give your career a boost. For most of us, though, learning a new language takes time and dedication, with plenty of practice and repetition required. Self-regulated learning can help language acquisition progress by:

Making goals small and achievable, such as learning ten words every week or practicing five difficult sounds per day
Noticing mistakes and being intentional about correcting them
Trying out new strategies if things aren’t going to plan
Building steadily with regular practice.

Self-regulated learning in programming

In this digital age, programming is a career with plenty of upsides. For anyone interested in the structured problem solving of programming, Maretha says that ‘making mistakes is part of the process’. Because of that, self-regulated learning can be an important strategy for budding programmers. Here are a few examples of why:

It helps turn big problems into manageable steps
Instead of getting stuck, self-regulated learning can assist with testing code and learning from mistakes
The strategy can help programming students look for solutions on their own.

Why is self-regulated learning important?

The independence and intention of self-regulated learning is invaluable for students – especially those moving from high school into the university system.

‘At university, it doesn’t take long to notice that no one is checking whether you’ve done readings or homework,’ says Maretha. ‘Classes move fast, deadlines pile up, and feedback often arrives long after you’ve moved on to the next task. You’re expected to manage your own time and stay on top of things. For learners who are used to being guided every step of the way, this shift can be confronting. Thus, the implementation of these self-regulated learning skills makes it easier to adjust to new subjects, manage workload more effectively, and cope better with stress.’

But whether you’re moving into university for the first time, studying at a postgraduate level or learning later in life, it’s always great to be able to take control of your own learning. With the help of self-regulated learning, that should be a realistic goal.