Competence in (meta-)cognitive learning strategies during help-seeking to overcome knowledge-related difficulties

Abstract

Individual learning strategies evoke (meta-)cognitive processes that enable effective goal-directed learning. Peer-directed academic help-seeking may provide new information, but related interaction processes are challenging. Applying learning strategies during help-seeking may enhance academic success. Competence in using social resources requires conditional knowledge about which strategy fits best for achieving a pursued goal. In this paper, a Situational Judgment Instrument to assess this competence and empirical data regarding the instrument’s subscales are presented. A first study with 38 undergraduates showed that organization and rehearsal were the easiest to identify correctly. Elaboration, evaluation, and argumentation on the other hand were more difficult to distinguish. In a second study with 120 first-semester students a hypothesized moderating effect of the competence on the link between help-seeking and academic success was not found. However, competence degree showed to be positively associated with students’ satisfaction but not with academic achievement. Implications for research and practice are discussed.