Online learning environments demand learners to self-regulate their learning but many learners are poor at self-regulated learning (SRL). In this paper, two studies were conducted to examine the effect of two SRL supports, i.e., guiding goal setting and planning using an approach known as mental contrasting and implementation intentions (MCII) and prompting SRL using videos, on motivation in the form of task value and self-efficacy, SRL in the form of persistence, task strategies, self-evaluation, and self-satisfaction, student engagement, performance, and goal attainment. In Study 1, a two (MCII, no MCII) by two (prompt, no prompt) between-subjects controlled experiment was conducted in an online video-based learning environment. Results showed that learners who completed the MCII had more sustained task value and higher persistence than learners who did not receive the MCII. Study 2 was conducted in five Massive Open Online Courses where we compared three conditions: MCII, goal only, and control. Results showed that there were no significant differences in SRL activities, course engagement and performance, and goal attainment among the three conditions. Collectively, the results suggest that the task duration in which learners’ goals can be attained (e.g., within one short session or over multiple weeks) might influence the effectiveness of MCII.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) allow learning to take place anytime and anywhere with little external monitoring by teachers. Characteristically, highly diverse groups of learners enrolled in MOOCs are required to make decisions related to their own learning activities to achieve academic success. Therefore, it is considered important to support self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies and adapt to relevant human factors (e.g., gender, cognitive abilities, prior knowledge). SRL supports have been widely investigated in traditional classroom settings, but little is known about how SRL can be supported in MOOCs. Very few experimental studies have been conducted in MOOCs at present. To fill this gap, this paper presents a systematic review of studies on approaches to support SRL in multiple types of online learning environments and how they address human factors. The 35 studies reviewed show that human factors play an important role in the efficacy of SRL supports. Future studies can use learning analytics to understand learners at a fine-grained level to provide support that best fits individual learners. The objective of the paper is twofold: (a) to inform researchers, designers and teachers about the state of the art of SRL support in online learning environments and MOOCs; (b) to provide suggestions for adaptive self-regulated learning support.