The Importance of Self-Regulated Learning in Higher Education: A Study on the Use of a Mobile Application

In today's higher education landscape, students are often faced with overwhelming study loads and autonomy. This can make it challenging for them to develop effective self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies, which are essential for academic success. Specifically, researchers have found that students who do not perceive their existing study strategies as effective may feel the need to change their approach and adopt new ones 'selfcontrol application'. Moreover, students who feel they require support for their SRL processes during self-study may be less inclined to use mobile applications designed to aid in these processes.

A recent study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a mobile application with gamified elements (Ace Your Self-Study App) in supporting first-year university students' SRL processes. The app was implemented in a first-year psychology course, and students' SRL skills, motivation, self-efficacy, app use and satisfaction, and performance were measured over a period of five weeks.

The results showed a significant increase in autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, and metacognitive self-regulation skills (MSR-R) across the course duration. Moreover, students who used the mobile application with gamified elements demonstrated higher autonomous motivation compared to those who did not use it.

Interestingly, the study found that most students only used the app for a limited number of self-study sessions. This suggests that while the app may have been effective in supporting SRL processes, its usage was not sustained over time. Furthermore, focus group interviews with students revealed that they often lack awareness of effective SRL strategies and how to apply them.

The findings of this study highlight the importance of developing effective SRL skills in higher education. By providing students with tools and support to regulate their own learning, educators can help them develop greater autonomy and motivation. The use of mobile applications like Ace Your Self-Study App can be an effective way to do so, particularly for first-year students who may struggle with the transition to university life.

In conclusion, self-regulated learning is a crucial aspect of academic success in higher education. By understanding how students perceive and utilize mobile applications designed to support SRL processes, educators can develop more effective strategies to promote student success.

Selfcontrol application