Digital tools to support self-regulated learning (SRL)

1. Introduction

Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) relies on students' ability to independently plan, monitor and evaluate their own learning process. Digital tools help with this because they support goal setting, time management, recording and organizing knowledge, monitoring progress, self-examination and reflection. Although each tool works independently, it is possible to combine multiple tools in the SRL process and integrate them into a learning strategy.

Their use makes sense when aligned with pedagogical goals and when applied regularly, with a clear explanation of how the tool contributes to learning. In modern higher education, collaboration in an online environment is becoming an indispensable element of a student-centered pedagogical approach. Online collaboration is not just a technical organizational dimension of distance learning, but a deep pedagogical issue that concerns the structure of learning, the dynamics of interaction, the development of professional competencies, and the building of a sense of belonging to the academic community.

In this activity, the following tools will be mentioned:

• for planning goals and tasks
• for time management and task focus
• for recording and organizing knowledge
• for monitoring progress
• for self-checking and repetition
• for reflection and e-portfolio maintenance.

2. Planning goals and tasks

Planning is the starting point of self-regulated learning because it allows students to clearly define goals and elaborate on steps.

Trello provides clear and intuitive visual task management using cards and lists. Students can break each activity down into smaller steps, assign deadlines, add descriptions and documents, and thus get a clear picture of the work process. A visual representation of progress makes it easier to focus on what is a priority.

Asana offers similar functionality but excels in team projects. It allows detailed tracking of who is responsible for which task, integration of communication within the tool, and insight into the overall progress of the project. For students working in groups, for example on seminars or research projects, Asana is a platform that combines planning, collaboration, and progress tracking in one.

3. Time management and task focus

Time control is one of the biggest obstacles to independent learning, and digital tools can provide clear structure and support.

Google Calendar enables precise planning of activities and organization of lecture schedules, deadlines and own tasks. Automatic reminders reduce the stress of forgetting and encourage consistency.

Outlook Calendar provides similar features and is particularly useful for those students who use other Microsoft tools from the Office365 suite.

Early offers something more than standard calendar functions as it allows students to track how much time they really need for a particular activity. In this way, a realistic picture of one's own pace of work is developed, which is crucial for avoiding overload and better planning of future obligations. For example, if a student notices that reading a certain type of text takes twice as long as he/she thought, he/she can adjust the study plan and avoid frustration due to delays.

4. Recording and organizing knowledge

Recording and structuring information helps students transform an overwhelming amount of material into organized wholes.

Microsoft OneNote functions as a digital notebook in which content can be organized into notebooks, sections, and pages. This allows for hierarchical organization of materials, easy addition of multimedia, and quick navigation.

Evernote goes a step further by offering the ability to scan handwritten notes, store web clips, and perform advanced keyword searches. This tool helps students keep all their sources and ideas in one place.

Tools like Zotero and Mendeley are especially important for scientific work. They allow you to store, organize, and cite literature directly in academic texts. This saves time and helps students maintain consistency in citing, which is crucial in academic writing.

Coggle is useful for visual structuring of complex concepts, which enables the creation of mental maps. In this way, students can see relationships between concepts more easily and create a broader picture of the material, which improves understanding and long-term memory.

5. Progress tracking

Monitoring progress is an important part of the metacognitive process because students learn to evaluate their own work.

Trello offers the ability to mark tasks as completed, which creates a sense of progress and motivates students to continue working. This visual impression of a small victory strengthens faith in their own abilities.

Google Sheets provides students with the ability to create their own progress tracking systems. In tables, they can track completed assignments, the number of pages read, the number of hours spent studying, or the percentage of goals met. By adding graphs and visuals, progress becomes even clearer and more transparent, and the analysis of the results itself can prompt changes in learning strategies.

6. Self-check and repetition

Regular self-testing is essential for long-term memory and developing confidence in one's knowledge.

Quizlet allows students to create digital flashcards that encourage active recall. Along with the flashcards, games and tests are available, making the learning process dynamic and less monotonous.

Kahoot! and Socrative offer the ability to create quizzes, which is especially useful in group work and during classes. Students can compete in real time, and the results are displayed immediately. This approach combines fun and learning, while developing awareness of areas that require additional repetition.

7. Reflection and maintenance of e-portfolio

Self-regulated learning ends with reflection or thinking about one's own actions and experiences.

Mahara is a specialized e-portfolio system where students can collect evidence of their progress, organize it into logical units, and share it with teachers or colleagues.

Padlet offers a simpler, yet very visually appealing way to organize notes, links, multimedia, and reflections. It can serve as a shared board where students can post impressions or results of their projects.

Google Sites allows the creation of personal portfolios in the form of a simple web page. Texts, presentations, images and other files can be linked in one place. This gives students a clear collection of their own achievements and materials that document their development.

8. Conclusion

Digital tools that support self-regulated learning provide students with structure and guidance, helping them become more aware, organized, and effective learners. However, it is important to emphasize that the use of a tool alone does not guarantee success. Students and teachers must understand why a particular tool is being chosen, how it aligns with their goals, and how it can enhance the learning process over the long term. Regular and purposeful use of such tools contributes to the development of genuine self-regulation competencies, preparing students for lifelong learning and professional growth.