CASL Lab

In the Cognition and Student Learning (CASL) Lab, we study how learners monitor and manage their learning—and how educators can help them do so more effectively. Our work has three related goals: (1) understanding the cognitive and metacognitive processes that make learning strategies effective, (2) developing and testing approaches that help learners use those strategies successfully, and (3) determining how research-based practices can be applied across educational settings.

We use laboratory experiments, online and classroom studies, and large-scale data analyses to examine learning across different contexts and populations.

Our research addresses questions such as:

• Which learning and instructional strategies best promote lasting learning, and why do they work?

• How do learners’ beliefs, judgments, and experiences shape their study decisions?

• How can teaching and experience help learners recognize, adopt, and sustain effective learning strategies?

Undergraduate research assistants contribute to many stages of our work, with responsibilities and opportunities tailored to their interests and experience. Because demand for research positions is high and space is limited, I typically work only with current SCU Psychology undergraduate students. Eligible students interested in joining the lab can complete the interest form. For other questions, please contact Dr. Rivers.