Self-awareness of one’s unique combination of strengths and needs is an essential first step of self regulated learning. However, research suggests that most students lack the self awareness they need to make good learning decisions.
An objective learner profile of how a student understands and retains best, their cognitive strengths and needs in the areas of reasoning, memory, processing, and executive functions, can play an instrumental role in developing student self awareness. Since these are hidden skills, most students and teachers benefit from deliberate training on how to identify and support students’ strengths and needs. Once foundational self awareness skills are established, students are well positioned to become self regulated learners.