Understanding the Role of Self-Regulated Learning in Academic Success. A Blended Learning Perspective in Vocational Education

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of self-regulated learning (SRL) skills on the academic success of non-commissioned officer (NCO) students within a Special Vocational College (SVC) belonging to the government context. As blended courses become increasingly prevalent, there is a growing interest in understanding the role of SRL, a critical determinant of academic performance. While SRL has garnered substantial attention in higher education, limited research has focused on its relevance within SVCs. Furthermore, little is known about the factors influencing students' SRL levels in online learning settings and their subsequent impact on course performance. Therefore, this study endeavors to identify the factors that influence SVC students' SRL and assess how it impacts success in blended courses. The study was conducted during the Fall semester of 2022-2023, encompassing five distinct compulsory blended courses and involving a total of 203 SVC students. We utilized a path model, expanding upon the framework proposed by Liaw and Huang in 2013, to assess the influence of SRL on academic achievement. The findings demonstrated that students' perceptions of the interactivity in the learning environment (ILE) and their perceived self-efficacy (PSE) had a positive and significant impact on their perceived satisfaction (PS). Additionally, ILE, PSE, and PS significantly influenced the perceived usefulness (PU) of the learning management system (LMS). Furthermore, ILE, PU, and PS emerged as significant predictors of students' SRL skills. However, the observed results did not entirely align with the expected impact on academic success. The study's findings shed light on the complex relationship between course achievement and SRL in blended learning settings, as well as the interrelated factors at play. The practical implications of these findings extend to how LMS administrators can support students in blended courses in becoming more self-regulated learners.