Abstract:The aim of this study was to find answers to how self-regulated learning (SRL)
Keywords:
self-regulated learning, inventory of learning styles, supervision, Vermunt
JEL Classification: I23, I21Authors: DAVID HALLBERG , The Swedish Red Cross University College, Sweden, Email: hald@rkh.se ULF OLSSON, Stockholm University, Sweden, Email: ulf.olsson@su.se Citation: DAVID HALLBERG , ULF OLSSON (2017). Self-Regulated Learning in Students' Thesis Writing. International Journal of Teaching and Education, Vol. V(1), pp. 13-24., 10.20472/TE.2017.5.1.002 13 Copyright © 2017, DAVID HALLBERG et al., hald@rkh.se
Students' thesis writingThe study was triggered by a significant number of students who did not take the thesis course despite being eligible to do so. Another challenge is that many of those who choose to take the thesis course do not complete it within the stipulated time.Focusing on aspects such as the culture and demography of the individual might provide an understanding of this phenomenon. For instance, students from upper classes are more likely to adapt to the university culture compared to their counterparts from lower classes (Georg, 2009). Walsh and Associates (2009) suggests that full-time degree students are more likely to continue the studies in the second year compared to part-time students. It suggests part-time students are more likely to have other commitments apart from studying, such as work or the responsibilities of being a parent. The study also suggests if postgraduate and final-year undergraduate students are engaged in university projects that offer support to first year-students, part-time students are less likely to withdraw from the university. Research also suggests lack of good practice may be one reason for low course completion (Wisker, 2007;Wisker, 2005).Research also suggests that a student's failure to formulate emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies needed to cope with academic stress is another reason (Rijavec & Brdar, 2002). Another concern connected to drop-out rates and learning style is the ability to keep deadlines. Some institutions have tried flexible deadlines with poor results (Hardin, 2004) -the reasons for which is that students tend not to complete their work if not given a fixed deadline. The lack of deadlines increases the number of dropouts. On the other hand, strict deadlines combined with having free rein over their academic responsibilities, such as completing homework, may increase plagiarism (Palazzo, Lee, Warnakulasooriya, & Pritchard, 2010).Often a thesis on master's level is to be written in a language that is not the first language of the student. This may cause problems when the student is to deal with academic arguments. Bacha (2010) has noted this in the context of teaching English as foreign language.Another factor mentioned as a key issue is the degree of self-regulated learning among the students. It has been concluded that when students are self-regulated they are likely to become more successful in their achievements (M...