Educational Research in the Internet Age: Examining the Role of Individual Characteristics

The use of the Web and other computer-based technologies in classrooms has become quite prevalent. Previous Research News and Comment discussions have presented the opportunities for research and practice that accompany these relatively new tools for classrooms. This article presents a perspective that has garnered less attention in discussions of these new learning environments—learner characteristics. Contemporary theories in educational psychology present important implications for learning in this new environment. This article will address two learner characteristics deemed important in mainstream educational psychology literature, epistemological beliefs and self-regulatory skills. Following the lead of previous articles, this article will also address the implications for access to education and learning.