Virtual learning lab title - Becoming an expert learner

8 Essential Lessons, Unit 1: Introduction to Self-Regulated Learning


In this unit you will learn how components of self-regulation determine academic success.

Zimmerman, Bonner, and Kovach (1996) point out that:

“academic self-regulation refers to self-generated thoughts, feelings, and actions intended to attain specific educational goals, such as analyzing a reading assignment, preparing to take a test, or writing a paper”.

This statement means that you have the ability to control and determine your own learning by how you think and what you do. Yes, instructors play an important role in helping students learn. However, no one has more control over you learning then YOU.

This orientation has important implications for understanding why you learn. The goal of Unit 1 is to help you understand what you need to do to improve your ability to learn. The goal of the succeeding units is to teach you the specific skills to enable you become a more self-regulated student so you can meet your personal and occupational goals. Let’s get on the road toward success!

Unit Objectives


  1. Identify components of self-regulation that determine you academic success.