Don't forget the learner: an essential aspect for developing effective hypermedia online learning in continuing...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Online Learning
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Continuing medical education (CME) increasingly incorporates hypermedia online learning.
• This learning format necessitates robust self-regulated learning (SRL) skills from learners.
• Understanding learner engagement with these resources is crucial for effective education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate learner engagement with hypermedia online learning in CME through the lens of SRL.
• To identify the primary SRL skills utilized by learners in this educational context.
• To explore the relationship between SRL skill use and learner outcomes such as interest and satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Application of a self-regulated learning (SRL) perspective to analyze learner behavior.
• Focus on hypermedia online learning environments within continuing medical education (CME).
• Identification and assessment of SRL skills employed by participants.

Main Results:

• The predominant SRL skills observed were the use of strategies and monitoring.
• Increased use of strategies correlated positively with heightened learner interest in the subject matter.
• Greater strategy use was also associated with increased satisfaction with the overall learning experience.

Conclusions:

• Learner engagement in CME hypermedia online learning is significantly influenced by SRL skills, particularly strategy use and monitoring.
• Developing and supporting SRL skills may enhance learner interest and satisfaction in online CME.
• Further research is recommended to explore SRL across different medical education phases and to develop targeted SRL training interventions.