Enhancing learning and problem solving skills: orienting and self-judging, two powerful and trainable learning tools

In this study we report on orienting and self-judging as study and problem-solving activities or learning tools. We examine their trainability and their effect on academic performance. These questions are part of a research project aimed at improving metacognitive knowledge as well as affective, conative and regulation skills. A design experiment with 141 freshmen in business economics was set up. The experimental treatment consisted of an integrated set of instructional conditions which were operationalized in a series of sessions and practice and transfer tasks. The results show that after the intervention students of the experimental group had more knowledge about orienting and self-judging than the students of both control groups and they also oriented themselves better and were more prone to self-judging when starting a new course. Both metaknowledge and transfer behavior were positively related to academic performance.