Learning Approaches

The present study aims to predict the role of learning approaches, studying strategies, metacognitive strategies, and reflective thinking on students’ academic achievements. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in Iran. The statistical population encompasses the all 5000 students at Roudehen Islamic Azad University throughout 2020-2021. According to Morgan's Table, the sample size was estimated to be 384 persons. Five standard questionnaires including studying strategies, learning approaches, metacognitive strategies, reflective thinking and academic achievement were used for data gathering. Structural equations based on partial least squares were used to analyze the data. The results showed a moderate relationship between learning approaches and metacognitive strategies while a significant relationship was observed between learning approaches, studying strategies, and reflective thinking (P<0.05). There was also a weak relationship between learning approaches and academic achievement. Beside, a moderate relationship was observed between metacognitive strategies and academic achievement, and a significant relationship was revealed between reflective thinking and academic achievement. Numerous factors affect academic achievement. Managers and families by recognizing these variables and providing appropriate conditions could smooth the rate of success for students.

Learning emotions consist of a range of ups and downs students come across in the classroom concerning the subject of study that may affect their performance in academic affairs and the correlation between learning approaches and academic engagement. The present study discussed the mediating role of learning emotions in the relationship between learning approaches and academic engagement in the academic year 2020/2021. The study used a correlation-descriptive research method and multistage cluster sampling. Participants were 384 female upper-secondary school students according to the Cochran formula. Three types of questionnaires were used to collect data: Reeve and Tseng’s academic engagement, Miller et al.’s learning approaches, and Pekrun’s learning emotions. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling in PLS software. Our findings showed that learning emotions (both positive and negative) have a mediating role in the correlation between learning approaches (learning goals, performance goals, instrumental/future goals, perception ability, external and internal evaluation) and academic engagement (P≤0/05). Moreover, learning approaches have a significant positive correlation with academic engagement (P≤0/05). Furthermore, learning approaches have a significant positive correlation with positive learning emotions, but a significant negative correlation with negative learning emotions (P≤0/05). We can hereby deduce that positive emotions have a significant positive correlation with academic engagement (P≤0/05), whereas the correlation coefficient between negative learning emotions and academic engagement is not significant (P≥0/05). It can be concluded that academic engagement is significantly affected by learning approaches and learning emotions and positive emotions increase the effect of learning approaches on academic learning.