What is the role of goal-setting in promoting student self-regulation?

Goal-setting plays a crucial role in promoting student self-regulation by helping to clarify what students aim to achieve. When students set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, they gain a clearer understanding of their academic objectives. This clarity allows them to formulate plans and strategies to reach those goals, which encourages self-monitoring and reflection on their progress. As students actively engage in the goal-setting process, they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for their learning, fostering intrinsic motivation and enhancing their ability to self-regulate their behaviors and efforts toward achieving their objectives. Additionally, having clear goals helps students focus their attention and resources, making it easier for them to track their progress and adjust their strategies as needed. Overall, effective goal-setting is essential for building self-regulation skills, enabling students to take charge of their learning journeys.