Beyond autonomy: unpacking self-regulated and self-directed learning through the lens of learner agency- a scoping review

Abstract Background Learner agency involves students actively engaging in their learning process and shaping their educational experiences through autonomy, self-regulation, and decision-making. In professional education, particularly within health professions, learner agency is critical for fosteri...

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Main Authors: Nidhi Gupta, Kamran Ali, Dan Jiang, Trine Fink, Xiangyun Du
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06476-x
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author Nidhi Gupta
Kamran Ali
Dan Jiang
Trine Fink
Xiangyun Du
author_facet Nidhi Gupta
Kamran Ali
Dan Jiang
Trine Fink
Xiangyun Du
author_sort Nidhi Gupta
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Learner agency involves students actively engaging in their learning process and shaping their educational experiences through autonomy, self-regulation, and decision-making. In professional education, particularly within health professions, learner agency is critical for fostering adaptability and lifelong learning. This scoping review explores how learner agency, alongside concepts such as self-regulated learning and self-directed learning, is addressed in undergraduate dental education, aiming to understand its implications and strategies for enhancing student agency in this context. Methods The scoping review examined literature on self-regulated learning, self-directed learning and learner agency in undergraduate dental education from 1994-April 2024 across five databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest Central, and Web of Science. A manual search of the cited references was also conducted. Relevant studies were screened, and the findings were summarized to offer a comprehensive overview and identify research gaps. Results In total, 33 studies were included in the review. The results revealed a strong interconnection between intrapersonal, behavioral, and contextual dimensions in shaping learner agency through self-regulated learning and self-directed learning among undergraduate dental students. The studies analyzed, predominantly quantitative, highlighted the multifaceted relationships among self-regulated learning and self-directed learning and learner agency, emphasizing its significance for educational practice and policy. Conclusions Self-regulated learning and self-directed learning are crucial for developing learner agency, aiding undergraduate students’ transition into independent professionals and fostering lifelong learning behaviors. Educational strategies should prioritize empowering students to become independent learners, reducing their reliance on faculty. Further research is needed to identify effective methods for promoting learner agency development among dental students.
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spelling doaj-art-df6b50dedb704f108d3fdbfd854b48852025-08-20T02:43:36ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-12-0124111210.1186/s12909-024-06476-xBeyond autonomy: unpacking self-regulated and self-directed learning through the lens of learner agency- a scoping reviewNidhi Gupta0Kamran Ali1Dan Jiang2Trine Fink3Xiangyun Du4College of Dental Medicine, QU Health, Qatar UniversityCollege of Dental Medicine, QU Health, Qatar UniversityAalborg UNESCO Center for Problem-Based Learning, Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg UniversityDepartment of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg UniversityDepartment of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg UniversityAbstract Background Learner agency involves students actively engaging in their learning process and shaping their educational experiences through autonomy, self-regulation, and decision-making. In professional education, particularly within health professions, learner agency is critical for fostering adaptability and lifelong learning. This scoping review explores how learner agency, alongside concepts such as self-regulated learning and self-directed learning, is addressed in undergraduate dental education, aiming to understand its implications and strategies for enhancing student agency in this context. Methods The scoping review examined literature on self-regulated learning, self-directed learning and learner agency in undergraduate dental education from 1994-April 2024 across five databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest Central, and Web of Science. A manual search of the cited references was also conducted. Relevant studies were screened, and the findings were summarized to offer a comprehensive overview and identify research gaps. Results In total, 33 studies were included in the review. The results revealed a strong interconnection between intrapersonal, behavioral, and contextual dimensions in shaping learner agency through self-regulated learning and self-directed learning among undergraduate dental students. The studies analyzed, predominantly quantitative, highlighted the multifaceted relationships among self-regulated learning and self-directed learning and learner agency, emphasizing its significance for educational practice and policy. Conclusions Self-regulated learning and self-directed learning are crucial for developing learner agency, aiding undergraduate students’ transition into independent professionals and fostering lifelong learning behaviors. Educational strategies should prioritize empowering students to become independent learners, reducing their reliance on faculty. Further research is needed to identify effective methods for promoting learner agency development among dental students.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06476-xLearner agencySelf-directed learningSelf-regulated learningPre-doctoral dental educationUndergraduate dental education
spellingShingle Nidhi Gupta
Kamran Ali
Dan Jiang
Trine Fink
Xiangyun Du
Beyond autonomy: unpacking self-regulated and self-directed learning through the lens of learner agency- a scoping review
BMC Medical Education
Learner agency
Self-directed learning
Self-regulated learning
Pre-doctoral dental education
Undergraduate dental education
title Beyond autonomy: unpacking self-regulated and self-directed learning through the lens of learner agency- a scoping review
title_full Beyond autonomy: unpacking self-regulated and self-directed learning through the lens of learner agency- a scoping review
title_fullStr Beyond autonomy: unpacking self-regulated and self-directed learning through the lens of learner agency- a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed Beyond autonomy: unpacking self-regulated and self-directed learning through the lens of learner agency- a scoping review
title_short Beyond autonomy: unpacking self-regulated and self-directed learning through the lens of learner agency- a scoping review
title_sort beyond autonomy unpacking self regulated and self directed learning through the lens of learner agency a scoping review
topic Learner agency
Self-directed learning
Self-regulated learning
Pre-doctoral dental education
Undergraduate dental education
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06476-x
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