Chapter 9: Using Web-Based Pedagogical Tools to Support Student Self-Regulation: What Do Teachers Need to Know?

In this chapter, we discuss the role of Web-based pedagogical tools (WBPT) in supporting student self-regulation in distributed learning environments. Specifically, we examine how teachers can use WBPT to support key self-regulatory processes such as goal setting, task strategies, self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and help seeking. We begin with an overview of self-regulation and its impact on student achievement from a social cognitive perspective, followed by a description of the technological and pedagogical features of online learning tools embedded in course management systems (CMS) referred to as WBPT. Subsequently, we provide an instructional model that articulates the relationship between learning tasks, WBPT, and self-regulatory processes. The enactment of this model in distributed learning contexts is discussed, and specific examples are provided to guide teaching practices.