Relationship Between Pharmacy Students' Use of Self-Regulated Learning Strategies and Course Outcomes

Objective. To determine the relationship between student-reported, self-regulated learning (SRL) with use of supplementary material, and overall performance in an advanced therapeutics course in a Doctor of Pharmacy program. Methods. A modified version of the Self-Regulated Strategy Inventory (SRSI-SI) was used to measure three distinct SRL factors: managing study behaviors, managing environment, and maladaptive regulatory behaviors. An instructor created a supplemental 36-question practice quiz and flashcard activity. The in-class assessment and the three SRL factors were analyzed using the practice quiz, and the association between overall course grade and score in each factor domain was determined by regression. Results. Two-hundred seven students (98%) completed the SRSI. One hundred fifty-eight (79%) students reported using the optional practice quiz and doing so was associated with significantly higher in-class quiz scores (8.2 vs 7.6 out of 10) and higher overall course grade (88.0% vs 85.3%). Students reporting use of the optional practice quiz were significantly less likely to report poor study behaviors, inability to manage study environment, and maladaptive study habits. Lower overall course grades were significantly associated with maladaptive study habits. Conclusion. A positive association was determined between use of instructor-created supplemental activities and in-class quiz scores, self-regulated study behaviors, and overall course performance. Maladaptive study habits were associated with a modest negative correlation with overall course grade. The results suggest that when instructors create optional supplementary activities and assessments, many of the students who would benefit the most from the use of these activities fail to utilize the opportunity for extra practice.