Fostering self-regulated learning skills with the help of an electronic tutoring system

This study investigates if and how an electronic tutor can foster self-regulated learning skills. Three different electronic tutors are compared: (1) An Algorithm Tutor that gives quantified feedback and advice (such as an exact performance score), (2) a Heuristics Tutor that gives qualitative feedback and advice (such as globally indicating the level of performance), and (3) a Control Tutor that does not provide feedback or advice at all. Participants practice eight biology tasks from a database of 75 tasks, which they choose themselves. The tasks vary in difficulty and given support. The tutors’ feedback and advice focuses on task performance and on task selection. It is expected that participants who study with an Algorithm Tutor or Heuristics Tutor will become better at self-regulated learning than students with a Control Tutor.