What term is used to describe the ability of students to regulate their own learning and behavior?

The term that best describes the ability of students to regulate their own learning and behavior is self-regulation. This concept encompasses a range of skills that enable students to set goals, monitor their own progress, manage their time effectively, and adjust their actions based on feedback or assessments of their performance.

Self-regulation is crucial for effective learning, as it allows students to take ownership of their educational journey, leading to greater engagement and achievement. It includes the ability to manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a way that enhances learning potential. This self-management process is integral to developing independence in learning and is considered a foundational skill that students must master to succeed academically and socially.

While independence also refers to students working on their own, it does not fully capture the complex processes involved in regulating one’s own behavior and learning. Self-determination reflects the ability to make choices and decisions about one’s own life, which is influenced by self-regulation, but is not a direct synonym. Self-management, while closely related, typically refers to the organization and prioritization of tasks rather than the broader concept of regulating both learning and behavior. Thus, self-regulation encompasses the holistic ability to manage both learning processes and behavior effectively.