Competence in (meta-)cognitive learning strategies during help-seeking to overcome knowledge-related difficulties

Schlusche, Christian; Schnaubert, Lenka; Bodemer, Daniel

Abstract

Individual learning strategies evoke (meta-)cognitive processes that enable effective goal-directed learning. Peer-directed academic help-seeking may provide new information, but related interaction processes are challenging. Applying learning strategies during help-seeking may enhance academic success. Competence in using social resources requires conditional knowledge about which strategy fits best for achieving a pursued goal. In this paper, a Situational Judgment Instrument to assess this competence and empirical data regarding the instrument’s subscales are presented. A first study with 38 undergraduates showed that organization and rehearsal were the easiest to identify correctly. Elaboration, evaluation, and argumentation on the other hand were more difficult to distinguish. In a second study with 120 first-semester students a hypothesized moderating effect of the competence on the link between help-seeking and academic success was not found. However, competence degree showed to be positively associated with students’ satisfaction but not with academic achievement. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Citation

Schlusche, C., Schnaubert, L., & Bodemer, D. (2024). Competence in (meta-)cognitive learning strategies during help-seeking to overcome knowledge-related difficulties. Active Learning in Higher Education, 25(3), 489-515. https://doi.org/10.1177/14697874231168343

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 21, 2023
• Online Publication Date: May 9, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-11
• Deposit Date: Apr 21, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 16, 2023
• Journal: Active Learning in Higher Education
• Print ISSN: 1469-7874
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-2625
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 489-515
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14697874231168343
• Keywords: Academic help-seeking, competence, first-year students, learning strategy, situational judgment test
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/19787258
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14697874231168343