Supporting Self-Regulated Learning in Primary Education: Using Written Learning Guides in the Lessons

Developing children’s self-regulation skills in the school environment is essential for the development of self-directed learners. It is important to note that self-regulation can be developed in the classroom. Teachers play a crucial role in supporting the development of self-regulated learners, in...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Liina Kersna, Kristjan-Julius Laak, Liina Lepp, Margus Pedaste
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/60
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832588639523045376
author Liina Kersna
Kristjan-Julius Laak
Liina Lepp
Margus Pedaste
author_facet Liina Kersna
Kristjan-Julius Laak
Liina Lepp
Margus Pedaste
author_sort Liina Kersna
collection DOAJ
description Developing children’s self-regulation skills in the school environment is essential for the development of self-directed learners. It is important to note that self-regulation can be developed in the classroom. Teachers play a crucial role in supporting the development of self-regulated learners, including creating the necessary learning environment and designing the tasks used for instruction. The aim of this study is to describe the way teachers chose to structure written learning guides designed for primary school students and to analyse how their use in instruction creates opportunities to support self-regulated learning. We analysed 11 written learning guides, interviewed three primary education teachers who created and used them, and observed 985 min of classroom implementation. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis combining inductive and deductive methods. The results of this study revealed that the learning guides consist of three parts: an introduction, individual and collaborative tasks with self-assessment, and self-analysis. Our data show that the use of learning guides helped to create a learning environment in the classroom that was supportive of high self-regulated learning. Students were offered a range of options for organising their learning and opportunities to control their learning challenges, including choosing more interesting and difficult tasks, to assess their learning and to collaborate with peers. Teachers supported students through both instrumental instruction and evaluation practises, creating a classroom environment conducive to learning that focused on students’ personal development. We conclude that it is possible to use written learning guides for longer periods of independent or collaborative learning with primary education students. The results provide teachers with practical examples of how to use written learning guides to create conditions for self-regulated learning. For example, combining AI usage with teacher-designed learning guides could increase the benefits and reduce the risks associated with AI-based learning systems.
format Article
id doaj-art-9b91e12a5a9c4e309bfeaf35c9a2a913
institution Kabale University
issn 2227-7102
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Education Sciences
spelling doaj-art-9b91e12a5a9c4e309bfeaf35c9a2a9132025-01-24T13:30:25ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-01-011516010.3390/educsci15010060Supporting Self-Regulated Learning in Primary Education: Using Written Learning Guides in the LessonsLiina Kersna0Kristjan-Julius Laak1Liina Lepp2Margus Pedaste3Institute of Education, University of Tartu, 51005 Tartu, EstoniaInstitute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, 51009 Tartu, EstoniaInstitute of Education, University of Tartu, 51005 Tartu, EstoniaInstitute of Education, University of Tartu, 51005 Tartu, EstoniaDeveloping children’s self-regulation skills in the school environment is essential for the development of self-directed learners. It is important to note that self-regulation can be developed in the classroom. Teachers play a crucial role in supporting the development of self-regulated learners, including creating the necessary learning environment and designing the tasks used for instruction. The aim of this study is to describe the way teachers chose to structure written learning guides designed for primary school students and to analyse how their use in instruction creates opportunities to support self-regulated learning. We analysed 11 written learning guides, interviewed three primary education teachers who created and used them, and observed 985 min of classroom implementation. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis combining inductive and deductive methods. The results of this study revealed that the learning guides consist of three parts: an introduction, individual and collaborative tasks with self-assessment, and self-analysis. Our data show that the use of learning guides helped to create a learning environment in the classroom that was supportive of high self-regulated learning. Students were offered a range of options for organising their learning and opportunities to control their learning challenges, including choosing more interesting and difficult tasks, to assess their learning and to collaborate with peers. Teachers supported students through both instrumental instruction and evaluation practises, creating a classroom environment conducive to learning that focused on students’ personal development. We conclude that it is possible to use written learning guides for longer periods of independent or collaborative learning with primary education students. The results provide teachers with practical examples of how to use written learning guides to create conditions for self-regulated learning. For example, combining AI usage with teacher-designed learning guides could increase the benefits and reduce the risks associated with AI-based learning systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/60written learning guideself-regulated learningclassroom observationsqualitative researchprimary education
spellingShingle Liina Kersna
Kristjan-Julius Laak
Liina Lepp
Margus Pedaste
Supporting Self-Regulated Learning in Primary Education: Using Written Learning Guides in the Lessons
Education Sciences
written learning guide
self-regulated learning
classroom observations
qualitative research
primary education
title Supporting Self-Regulated Learning in Primary Education: Using Written Learning Guides in the Lessons
title_full Supporting Self-Regulated Learning in Primary Education: Using Written Learning Guides in the Lessons
title_fullStr Supporting Self-Regulated Learning in Primary Education: Using Written Learning Guides in the Lessons
title_full_unstemmed Supporting Self-Regulated Learning in Primary Education: Using Written Learning Guides in the Lessons
title_short Supporting Self-Regulated Learning in Primary Education: Using Written Learning Guides in the Lessons
title_sort supporting self regulated learning in primary education using written learning guides in the lessons
topic written learning guide
self-regulated learning
classroom observations
qualitative research
primary education
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/60
work_keys_str_mv AT liinakersna supportingselfregulatedlearninginprimaryeducationusingwrittenlearningguidesinthelessons
AT kristjanjuliuslaak supportingselfregulatedlearninginprimaryeducationusingwrittenlearningguidesinthelessons
AT liinalepp supportingselfregulatedlearninginprimaryeducationusingwrittenlearningguidesinthelessons
AT marguspedaste supportingselfregulatedlearninginprimaryeducationusingwrittenlearningguidesinthelessons