The Learning and Metacognition Lab (LAM Lab) investigates student learning, self-regulation, and metacognition. One branch of our research explores which study strategies and learning techniques can best support student learning – including techniques like spacing, interleaving, and retrieval practice. We explore the efficacy of these techniques not only in lab settings but also when translated into classrooms or when applied to complex learning materials often seen in real-world learning. A second branch of research focuses on students’ self-regulation of their learning, including their usage and beliefs about various learning techniques and their ability to implement them effectively. We ask questions like, “Why are effective learning techniques underutilized?” and consider a range of barriers that can impede effective self-regulated learning – everything from misunderstanding to procrastination. In a third branch, we investigate students’ monitoring of their learning (e.g., their judgments of how well they have learned target materials) and how that monitoring can affect their study decisions and performance. We also explore what conditions promote accurate vs. inaccurate monitoring and what techniques can help improve monitoring. We use experimental, observational, and survey methods to conduct our research in the lab, in classrooms, and online.
Questions about the LAM Lab can be directed to Dr. Marissa Hartwig at marissa.hartwig@uah.edu.
Accepting Graduate Students for Spring 2027 and Fall 2027.