Self-Regulated Learning
The ability to direct your own learning by setting goals, monitoring progress, and adjusting strategies as needed. It's the foundation of independent, lifelong learning.
Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a process where learners actively guide their own learning journey by setting goals ("I want to understand photosynthesis"), implementing strategies (reading, watching videos, asking questions), monitoring whether those strategies are working ("Do I understand this yet?"), and adjusting as needed ("That explanation didn't help; let me try a different approach"). Barry Zimmerman's research shows that self-regulated learners outperform their peers because they take ownership of their learning rather than being passive recipients. Self-regulation involves three phases: planning (breaking learning into steps and determining strategies), performance (implementing strategies while monitoring progress), and reflection (evaluating what worked and what to improve next time). Students develop self-regulation through practice, feedback, and models. A child who says "I'm not getting this, so let me slow down and break it into smaller pieces" demonstrates sophisticated self-regulation. Schools increasingly recognize that self-regulated learning skills are as important as academic content because these skills enable lifelong learning and adaptation in a changing world.
How Grove applies this
Grove explicitly teaches self-regulated learning by helping children set learning goals, choose their own learning paths, reflect on their progress, and evaluate their strategies. The dialogue structure supports planning and reflection, while the adaptive system responds to children's self-monitoring, reinforcing the habit of tracking their own learning and adjusting their approach.
Related concepts
Metacognition
The ability to think about your own thinking process. It means being aware of how you learn, what strategies work for you, and when you need to adjust your approach.
Executive Function
The mental processes that help you plan, organize, focus, and control impulses. It's like the brain's management system for getting things done.
Growth Mindset
The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice. Children with growth mindset embrace challenges and learn from failure.
Formative Assessment
Ongoing, informal evaluation of student learning during instruction (rather than formal testing at the end). It's used to guide teaching and help students improve in real-time.
See these concepts in action
Grove applies self-regulated learning in every conversation with your child.
How Grove Works