Self-regulated learning: the effect on medical student learning outcomes in a flipped classroom environment

BACKGROUND: The flipped-classroom model is increasingly being adopted in competency-based medical education. However, it poses a major challenge to students who have not mastered self-regulated learning strategies. This study explores which self-regulated learning skills affect student learning performance in the first 2 years of medical school at a university in the midwestern United States. METHODS: Survey data were used to assess how 146 first- and second-year medical students’ use of self-regulated learning strategies affected their performance on standardized tests. RESULTS: Based on the results of regression analysis and content analysis, it was found that the use of peer learning and help-seeking positively affected the performance of first- and second-year students, respectively; whereas the use of rehearsal had a negative effect on student learning outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings imply that during the transition period from traditional lecture-intensive learning to flipped-classroom learning, promoting peer learning and help-seeking could significantly improve students’ academic achievement.