Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between Self-regulated Learning, Life-long Learning, and Future Time Orientation, as well as to explore the mediating role of Future Time Orientation in the relation between Self-regulated Learning and Life-long Learning. Defined as “the competence for learning throughout one’s lifetime, a domain-specific competence that requires motivation and self-regulated learning” (Lüftenegger et al., 2015, p. 2), lifelong learning (LLL) represents one of the most important competencies in today’s knowledge-based society. Future Time Orientation refers to the views students hold about the future and how their perceptions of current tasks are affected by these views. Self-regulated Learning connects the behaviors, metacognition, and motivation of students in their learning. The present research is based on a cross-sectional design, data being collected from 2943 Romanian’ secondary school students in the 11th and 12th grades through the following structured questionnaires: Self-Regulated Learning Questionnaire (Chemers, Hu, & Garcia, 2001), Future orientation scale extracted from the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI, Zimbardo & Boyd, 1999) and Lifelong learning scale (Wielkiewicz & Meuwissen, 2014). Data were processed using SPSS version 26.0, including the PROCESS macro analysis. The results showed positive relationships between Self-regulated Learning and Life-long Learning (r = .638, p < 0.01), between Self-regulated Learning and Future Time Orientation (r = .594, p < 0.01), and between Life-long Learning and Future Time Orientation (r = .487, p < 0.01). They also validate the fact that Self-regulated Learning, through the mediation of Future Time Orientation, promote product Life-long Learning (z = 8.49, p = .000). This study extends understanding of the positive effects of Self-regulated Learning, and practical application of the current results suggests that a better understanding of Future Time Orientation in the educational environment could be associated with an increase level of Life-long Learning.

Keywords:

Self-regulated learning, future time orientation, life-long learning, mediation.