Empowering Students to Become Self-Regulated Learners

As teachers, we all want our students to be independent, motivated, and capable of taking charge of their own learning. But how do we create self-regulated learners? It starts with teaching students not just what to learn but how to learn.

Self-regulated learners are those who set goals, monitor their progress, and reflect on their outcomes. They know how to stay focused, manage their time, and adapt their strategies when faced with challenges. This doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right support, every student can develop these crucial skills.

• Begin by helping your students set clear, achievable goals. “Today we are learning . . . because . . . You will know you are successful when . . .”
• Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and guide students in tracking their progress.
• Explicitly teach expected behaviors, so students know what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to be successful.
• Encourage self-reflection by asking students to consider what strategies worked well and where they might need to make adjustments.
• Praise their efforts, not just their successes, to reinforce the importance of perseverance and growth.
• Create a classroom environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn rather than as failures. When students feel safe to take risks, they’re more likely to experiment with different approaches and find what works best for them.
• Incorporate self-assessment tools like checklists and rubrics (see example below). This helps students take ownership of their learning. By regularly evaluating their own work, they become more aware of their strengths and areas for improvement.

Ultimately, teaching students to be self-regulated learners is about empowering them to be lifelong learners. It’s about giving them the tools they need to navigate as learners with confidence and independence.