Profiles of students’ use of learning strategies in a virtual learning environment

Abstract

This study analyzed the learning strategies used by distance learners of English as a Foreign Language in virtual environments (UFC/UAB) in order to identify the different profiles of users of learning strategies. For this purpose, a Brazilian translation of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning was used with 21 groups of students of 11 different counties in the state of Ceará. Data analysis indicated that, in general, the students could be characterized as medium users of strategies - 77 (seventy-seven) students are classified at the medium range of use, 34 (thirty-four) at the high range and 19 (nineteen) at the low range. Results also pointed out that the use of strategies decreased as students advanced in the program. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that learning strategies be used as a category for measuring levels of learning autonomy, rather than just as one of the mechanisms for the development of autonomy in learning.

Keywords

• Educação a Distância
• Estratégias de aprendizagem
• Autonomia de aprendizagem
• ensino aprendizagem de línguas
• língua estrangeira
• TIC
• tecnologia