Towards self-regulation in web-based learning

This article focuses on students' self-regulatory skills in Web-based learning environments. The IQ FORM project has created the interactive Web-based tool ‘The IQ Learn’ to support learners' self-regulation in virtual universities and other higher education settings. The project has applied Pintrich's Motivational Components of Forethought, Cognitive Strategies and Learning Skills in the designing of interactive Web-based tests, tutoring sets and a learning diary. In the beginning of the project data were collected from different student groups in five universities, to identify students' differences as self-regulated learners. The data revealed that there are big differences in students' self-regulatory skills. The data was also used for validating dimensions of interactive self-evaluation tests and tutoring sets. The pilot use of the IQ Learn found out that students benefited from the virtual tutoring. According to the results, the IQ Learn tool is most useful for students who have difficulties in learning or who do not have stable learning strategies and skills, or who are at an early stage of their university studies. The IQ Learn tool best supports the students in learning when the teacher-tutor gives concrete assignments as how to use the tool, or guides the students to self-reflection and self-evaluation using the IQ Learn tool. Teachers have to learn how self-regulation can be integrated into the Web-courses and how to use the new tools on the World Wide Web to support students' learning.