Acquisition of workplace knowledge through individual and cooperative self-regulated learning

Hüster, E and Morris, T.H ORCID: 0000-0002-0100-6434 (2026) 'Acquisition of workplace knowledge through individual and cooperative self-regulated learning.' International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education. doi: 10.1177/03064190261468488

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Abstract

A recent analysis comparing individual self-regulated learning and cooperative self-regulated learning in the context of adult education 1 found that cooperative learning methods do not automatically lead to better outcomes in terms of fostering mechanical engineering competences. To more closely examine the validity of this previous study, particularly criterion validity, a comparable analysis of declarative knowledge in the field of CAD and FEM was conducted in the present study. Mean values and equivalences were observed with 175 students from technical colleges in Germany. The analysis revealed significant learning progress for both learning arrangements in knowledge acquisition in the context of CAD and FEM. Partial strict invariance was observed in the cross-sectional data. In the longitudinal data, only the CAD and FEM-application dimensions of knowledge could be considered equivalent. In the cooperative self-regulated learning arrangement, students performed better in practical knowledge about FEM when compared to the individual self-regulated learning treatment group. Acquisition of FEM declarative-practical knowledge was more effective through a cooperative self-regulated learning arrangement, in comparison to an individual self-regulated learning arrangement. However, no difference in CAD declarative knowledge was found between the learning arrangements. This observation is important for the design of digital learning environments, but further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these conclusions.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	invariance testing, self-regulated learning, cooperative learning, educational psychology, adult and vocational education, workplace knowledge
Divisions:	School of Education
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2026 08:11
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2026 08:11
ISSN:	0306-4190
URN:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17889

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