Chapter 4: Using Learning Technologies to Support Help Seeking in Higher Education Contexts

The aim of this chapter is to discuss seeking help as a strategy of selfregulated learning on student achievement and motivation in higher education settings from a social cognitive perspective, taking into consideration the role of learning technologies. In particular we focus on seeking help to support learning and performance in blended and online learning environments. Given that technology enhanced classes are becoming more ubiquitous every year whether learning management systems, relatively simple Web 2.0 technologies such as wikis and blogs, or the more complex gaming technologies and 3D virtual worlds are being used, learning technologies can be very useful in triggering students to seek help when needed. Below, we review current research on help-seeking support using learning technologies and present a case study scenario on how instructors can support students’ help seeking in technology-enhanced environments.