Learning Strategies Applied by University Students in Distance Learning

This review study aims to provide an overview of previous research on learning strategies used by students studying in a distance-learning form. The basic sources for research were the Web of Science, Research, Gate and Google Scholar databases. We also proceeded with a subsequent search based on frequent citations, using the Internet search engine Google. In accordance with the aim of this study, we sought answers to the following research questions in the analysis: 1. Which learning strategies are most frequently used by students studying in a distance-learning form? 2. In connection with which factors influencing distance-learning outcomes are learning strategies examined? 3. Which research methods are used to study distance-learning strategies? We came to the following conclusions: In distance learning, it is necessary to help students develop their autonomous learning competence, knowledge of diverse learning strategies and reflective use of learning strategies, and increase the repertoire of reading strategies used by students. For some distance-learning students, however, the use of diverse learning strategies poses an issue; adult distance-learning students use only a fairly limited repertoire of learning strategies. Adult students use only those learning strategies which have worked for them in the past and are therefore convinced of their effectiveness. The most frequently used learning strategies for distance-learning students are retelling the text in their own words, with which students check whether they have understood the text sufficiently, compilation of an overview of information based on the read text, and the use of mnemonics. In connection with the factors influencing distance-learning outcomes, research has shown that there is a relationship between the degree of cognitive development and the use of a broader repertoire of learning strategies. It was found that the effectiveness of learning in self-directed learning and the use of a wider repertoire of learning strategies are closely related to students’ mood, selfconfidence, self-assurance, and perseverance. In this study of learning strategies, quantitative and qualitative research methods are applied. However, mixed method research design is the most commonly used approach.