Learning strategy: definition and examples
Prof. Dr Ulrike Lichtinger teaches and researches at IU International University of Applied Science and specialises in Positive Education. The expert defines the meaning of “learning strategy” for us, explains the different categories and provides concrete examples.
Classification by the expert:
According to Pintrich (1998)*, learning strategies are behaviours used appropriate to the situation, and tailored to the respective learning environment and learning task to absorb as much information as possible during the time spent learning, and to retain it in the long term.
Learning strategy categories
Boekaerts (1999) three-layer model** essentially outlines three learning strategy categories:
Examples of learning strategies
So, what learning strategies are there? In short, there are plenty of them and they are very diverse. The learning strategies (above) demonstrate just how vast the range of learning strategies is. The use and success of the strategies vary depending upon a person’s learning type and personality.
Concrete examples of learning strategies:
Sources
*Pintrich, P. R. (2003). A motivational science perspective on the role of student motivation in learning and teaching contexts. Journal of educational Psychology, 95(4), 667.
**Boekaerts, M. (1999). Self-regulated learning: Where we are today. International Journal of Educational Research, 31(6), 445 – 457. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-0355(99)00014-2
Prof. Dr Ulrike Lichtinger
Professor of Social Sciences at IU International University of Applied Science and expert in Positive Education
How helpful are learning strategies?
This overview of learning strategies shows how helpful selected learning strategies are, as rated by the respondents (IU Learning Report 2024).
Question: How helpful do you think the following approaches are for you personally to learn efficiently?
Only answers “quite helpful” and “very helpful” on a scale of 1 to 5
Focus topic
Focus, please!
The fine line between concentration and distractions
Learning requires concentration. But in everyday life, numerous things get in the way of focused on learning. Human physiology in particular often makes concentration short-lived: 66.3% of people in Germany can concentrate and learn effectively for up to two hours at a time. 18.5% say they can stay focused for three or more hours.
Almost half of the people in Germany manage one to two hours of concentrated learning
Question: How long can you usually concentrate and learn effectively before you feel your attention waning?
Smartphones, the concentration killers: younger people are particularly distracted by their mobile phones
Then there is the issue of distractions. Tiredness, smartphones and personal issues and obligations are the top three concentration killers when learning – with big differences across generations.
Generations Z and Y (up to 40 years) most frequently cite smartphones as a distraction when learning, while Generation Z (up to 25 years) is also distracted by social media. For Generation X and Baby Boomers (41 to 65 years old), tiredness is the most common problem.
1 in 10 people in Germany say that they do not get distracted while learning. The age gap is significant here too as Generations Z and Y (up to 40 years) are much more likely to be distracted than Generation X and Baby Boomers (41 to 65 years).
Question: Do you get distracted when learning? Yes, by...
Excerpts from answers
On average, adults can concentrate for 90 minutes at a time – provided the conditions are right. The distraction caused by smartphones and social media shows that we need to develop new approaches to improve concentration and learning environments, especially for young people. Promoting digital self-control techniques and conscious media use is vital, as every distraction means we have to refocus on the learning content, which is energy-intensive and makes us tired sooner. Educational programmes should place greater emphasis on media literacy to empower the younger generation to minimise distractions and achieve their learning objectives more effectively.”
Prof. Dr Ulrike Lichtinger
Professor of Social Sciences at IU International University of Applied Science and expert in Positive Education
Learning media and learning tools: books and lecture notes most popular
Learning media provide the content to be learned, while learning tools support and structure the learning process. Many variants (learning apps, webinars) now combine the two interactively. But which media and tools do people in Germany really use to learn?
The IU Learning Report 2024 confirms that people most often rely upon printed learning materials such as books and lecture notes. Videos with learning content or explanations are almost as popular. Interestingly, almost half of the people in Germany still use self-created documents for learning, such as summaries and index cards, to internalise the learning material. This top three is the same across all generations, young to old.
Question: Which of the following media or tools do you use when learning?
Excerpts from answers
Interactive and innovative: Generation Y most frequently uses digital tools for learning
As the figures above show, Generations Z and Y (up to 40 years) also learn using printed materials and self-created learning documents, yet they are increasingly relying upon interactive and digital learning tools. These are most frequently used by Generation Y (26 to 40 years), followed by Generation Z (up to 25 years)
!
People up to 40 years of age use digital and interactive learning methods and tools more frequently. However, it is not Generation Z leading the trend, but rather Generation Y.
Learning methods: independence increases with age
Does learning develop into a specific routine as you get older – as with other areas of life? The respondents’ statements indicate younger people in particular have or have had the feeling that they lack or have lacked a suitable learning method. This is the case according to almost 7 out of 10 respondents from Generation Z (up to 25 years). For Baby Boomers (56 to 65 years), the figure is just over 4 out of 10 respondents.
Question: Do you feel / have you ever felt that you lack / lacked a suitable approach to learning that helps you learn successfully and efficiently?
Over time, people develop their own learning strategies. The results show that older people in particular are more likely to have developed suitable methods for themselves – they are more experienced with learning. It is astonishing that printed materials continue to be of great importance across all age groups. As expected, the use of digital media is much higher among younger people than among older people.”
Prof. Dr Kristina Schaaff
Professor of Digital Transformation with a focus on AI at the IU International University of Applied Sciences
