why we learn

The integration/utilization of mobile technology into the educational setting will be one of my primary focuses in the coming months. It seems clear that the use of mobile technology, phones specifically, as a means of facilitating educational experiences will only increase in the future. There are a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that teens are using mobile phones at an astonishingly high rate. 85% of 16 year-olds owned a cell phone in 2008. This percentage is significantly greater than the 63% of the US population that has broadband access. My guess is that this number would move towards 80% if you included dial-up connections. There is a generational component here as well, i.e., students are unquestionably attuned to the mobile lifestyle.

Read more

What was the research question(s) in the article?

The author’s premise is that self-regulated learning is comprised of three factors, (a) cognitive strategy, (b) metacognition, and (c) self-efficacy. He continues by emphasizing the point that although much research has been done in this area, very little has attempted to correlate all three of these variables. Rather, many studies examine two of the three. Of particular interest, the author contends, is ways in which the three components of SRL can be encouraged in the online environment. Thus, Kauffman’s research question, though not explicitly stated, asks whether or not this (the cultivation of SRL in an online environment) can be accomplished, and if so, to what degree this is possible.

Is the literature review relevant to the research question(s)?

I found the reviewed literature to be appropriate. The author cites multiple sources for information related to each of his predictions. These studies fall within the above mentioned domains of self-monitoring, self-efficacy, and subject specific (note taking) cognitive strategies. Moreover, Kauffman references work done by others to develop two of the tools that he uses to measure, the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) and the academic self-efficacy instrument, as well as Dodge’s work (1997) on WebQuests.

Read more

What was the research question(s) in the article?

The authors were interested in if/how to parameters described by Corno and Mandinach’s (1983) self-regulation model could be applied to the task of Internet searching. Additionally, Rogers and Swan examined how the observed behaviors of the students changed over time, i.e., were the techniques employed static or did their strategies evolve as a result of their previous actions? Lastly, they were in search of ways in which their findings could be applied in the classroom setting.

Is the literature review relevant to the research question(s)?

The literature reviewed was less extensive than many article that I’ve read. The specific nature of the study is most likely the driving force behind this reality, That is, because the study was attempting to compare the results of the observed behavior of students searching the Internet to a model described in a single study, less peripheral information was deemed necessary. I tend to agree. Fifteen sources are cited. I would note, however, that it is rather odd that the authors’ original study, upon which the article is based, is not cited.

Read more