Achievement Goal Structure and Type of Assistance Sought in an Undergraduate Classroom

Abstract

Abstract:In the face of adversity, learners seek help when confronted with a gap in knowledge. Unsurprisingly, past research focused on the personal costs, burdens, and risks of asking for help. Researchers now identify adaptive helpseeking as a beneficial strategy for learning. This study explored whether instructors could successfully integrate mastery or performance achievement goal structures into undergraduate course assignments. The implications for integrating help seeking strategies in an online learning environment are discussed.

OLJ March 2023 27(1)

“…Categorization of Help-seeking by Makara & Karabenick (2013) As a manifestation of self-regulation, adaptive help-seeking requires learners to monitor their academic performance, show awareness of difficulties they cannot independently overcome, and exhibit a willingness to conquer that difficulty by requesting help from a more knowledgeable individual (Newman, 2002b). As a result, adaptive help-seeking is situated in one's ability to engage in self-regulated learning and is influenced by the environment (Giblin & Stefaniak, 2017;Karabenick & Dembo, 2011a). Learners' abilities to employ adaptive help-seeking strategies are greatly influenced when their learning environment is perceived as being masteryoriented (Karabenick & Dembo, 2011b).…”

A Systematic Review of Studies Exploring Help-Seeking Strategies in Online Learning Environments

“…As a manifestation of self-regulation, adaptive help-seeking requires learners to monitor their academic performance, show awareness of difficulties they cannot independently overcome, and exhibit a willingness to conquer that difficulty by requesting help from a more knowledgeable individual (Newman, 2002b). As a result, adaptive help-seeking is situated in one's ability to engage in self-regulated learning and is influenced by the environment (Giblin & Stefaniak, 2017;Karabenick & Dembo, 2011a). Learners' abilities to employ adaptive help-seeking strategies are greatly influenced when their learning environment is perceived as being masteryoriented (Karabenick & Dembo, 2011b).…”

“…By expanding on research that examines the role that instrumental activities may have on students' learning experience in an online environment, instructors can support students' familiarity with help-seeking sources, increase their selfefficacy with navigating digital environments and promote the autonomy of their learning. To benefit most from the learning experience, a student should therefore employ instrumental helpseeking strategies (Giblin & Stefaniak, 2017Lee et al, 2021;Roll et al, 2014).…”

Work in Progress - the Undergraduate Perspective: How to Survive an Undergraduate Engineering Program

“…These data are then formed into a collection of advice from undergraduates to their peers. There exists a number of published articles addressing some similar efforts, including discussing study skills 3,2,7 , tutoring and self-help services 4,8 , and social perceptions regarding seeking help 5,6 . Advice from peers around study habits and learning strategies can help boost self-efficacy, which is particularly important for upper-level classes 9 .…”

“…Many factors may inhibit students from asking their peers how they successfully approach studying and learning in the collegiate environment. Social perceptions, shame, and embarrassment all impact help-seeking behavior and these factors may also impact peer discussions about learning strategies 5,6 .…”