WGU D389 LEARNING STRATEGIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
TASK 2 2026 | Complete Solution | Performance Assessment |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Metacognition & Self-Regulated Learning (Q1-10)
Q1. A WGU student describes their study process: "I check the course calendar each
Monday, attend live cohort sessions, take notes during readings, and complete
module quizzes. After each quiz, I move immediately to the next module without
reviewing incorrect answers." Which phase of the metacognitive cycle is weakest, and
what strategy should they implement?
A. Planning; create a color-coded calendar
B. Monitoring; use self-quizzing during reading
C. Evaluating; conduct an error analysis within 24 hours of each quiz [CORRECT]
D. Forethought; set SMART goals before each module
Rationale: The student demonstrates planning and monitoring but skips the evaluate
phase by not reviewing errors. Error analysis within 24 hours activates self-reflection
and closes the metacognitive loop. Choice A addresses planning which is already
adequate; B addresses monitoring which is partially occurring; D addresses
forethought which is demonstrated by calendar checking.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. A first-term WGU student sits down to study and immediately opens the course
material without reviewing learning objectives or estimating time needed. According
to Zimmerman's self-regulated learning model, which phase is underdeveloped?
A. Self-reflection
B. Performance
C. Forethought [CORRECT]
D. Self-reaction
,Rationale: Forethought includes task analysis and strategic planning before learning
begins. The student skips goal setting and task analysis, indicating weak forethought.
Choice A and D occur after performance; B involves the actual studying behaviors
which are present but poorly planned.
Correct Answer: C
Q3. A student reads textbook chapters, highlights key sentences, and re-reads notes
before exams. They consistently score 70% and believe "I guess I'm just not good at
this subject." Which metacognitive weakness and mindset issue are present?
A. Strong monitoring with fixed mindset
B. Weak monitoring and fixed mindset [CORRECT]
C. Strong evaluation with growth mindset
D. Weak planning and growth mindset
Rationale: The student uses passive strategies (highlighting, rereading) without
testing understanding, indicating weak monitoring. Attributing failure to innate
ability ("not good at this") reflects a fixed mindset. Choice A incorrectly labels
monitoring as strong; C and D misidentify the mindset.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. A student receives feedback on a paper: "Excellent work—you are so smart!"
According to Dweck's mindset research, what is the likely long-term effect of this
praise, and what should the evaluator have emphasized instead?
A. Increased resilience; praise should emphasize speed of completion
B. Increased risk aversion and fixed mindset; praise should emphasize effort and
strategies used [CORRECT]
C. Increased motivation; praise should emphasize innate talent
D. Decreased self-esteem; praise should emphasize comparison to peers
, Rationale: Dweck's research shows that praising intelligence fosters a fixed mindset
and risk aversion, whereas praising effort and strategies promotes growth mindset
and resilience. Choice A incorrectly suggests resilience; C contradicts the research; D
misidentifies the outcome.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. Which sequence correctly orders the three phases of Zimmerman's self-regulated
learning model?
A. Self-reflection → Forethought → Performance
B. Performance → Forethought → Self-reflection
C. Forethought → Performance → Self-reflection [CORRECT]
D. Forethought → Self-reflection → Performance
Rationale: Zimmerman's model progresses from Forethought (planning), through
Performance (self-control and observation), to Self-reflection (self-judgment and
reaction). Choices A, B, and D present incorrect sequences that disrupt the logical
learning cycle.
Correct Answer: C
Q6. A student completes a study strategies inventory and discovers they rely
exclusively on passive rereading and highlighting for all courses. Which gap
identification and strategy alignment best addresses their needs?
A. Gap in retrieval practice; implement self-quizzing and flashcards [CORRECT]
B. Gap in time management; implement the Pomodoro technique
C. Gap in note-taking; switch to the Cornell method
D. Gap in metacognition; increase highlighting to 30% of text
Rationale: Passive rereading and highlighting indicate a gap in active retrieval
practice. Self-quizzing and flashcards strengthen memory consolidation through
active recall. Choice B addresses time management which is not the identified gap; C
TASK 2 2026 | Complete Solution | Performance Assessment |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Metacognition & Self-Regulated Learning (Q1-10)
Q1. A WGU student describes their study process: "I check the course calendar each
Monday, attend live cohort sessions, take notes during readings, and complete
module quizzes. After each quiz, I move immediately to the next module without
reviewing incorrect answers." Which phase of the metacognitive cycle is weakest, and
what strategy should they implement?
A. Planning; create a color-coded calendar
B. Monitoring; use self-quizzing during reading
C. Evaluating; conduct an error analysis within 24 hours of each quiz [CORRECT]
D. Forethought; set SMART goals before each module
Rationale: The student demonstrates planning and monitoring but skips the evaluate
phase by not reviewing errors. Error analysis within 24 hours activates self-reflection
and closes the metacognitive loop. Choice A addresses planning which is already
adequate; B addresses monitoring which is partially occurring; D addresses
forethought which is demonstrated by calendar checking.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. A first-term WGU student sits down to study and immediately opens the course
material without reviewing learning objectives or estimating time needed. According
to Zimmerman's self-regulated learning model, which phase is underdeveloped?
A. Self-reflection
B. Performance
C. Forethought [CORRECT]
D. Self-reaction
,Rationale: Forethought includes task analysis and strategic planning before learning
begins. The student skips goal setting and task analysis, indicating weak forethought.
Choice A and D occur after performance; B involves the actual studying behaviors
which are present but poorly planned.
Correct Answer: C
Q3. A student reads textbook chapters, highlights key sentences, and re-reads notes
before exams. They consistently score 70% and believe "I guess I'm just not good at
this subject." Which metacognitive weakness and mindset issue are present?
A. Strong monitoring with fixed mindset
B. Weak monitoring and fixed mindset [CORRECT]
C. Strong evaluation with growth mindset
D. Weak planning and growth mindset
Rationale: The student uses passive strategies (highlighting, rereading) without
testing understanding, indicating weak monitoring. Attributing failure to innate
ability ("not good at this") reflects a fixed mindset. Choice A incorrectly labels
monitoring as strong; C and D misidentify the mindset.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. A student receives feedback on a paper: "Excellent work—you are so smart!"
According to Dweck's mindset research, what is the likely long-term effect of this
praise, and what should the evaluator have emphasized instead?
A. Increased resilience; praise should emphasize speed of completion
B. Increased risk aversion and fixed mindset; praise should emphasize effort and
strategies used [CORRECT]
C. Increased motivation; praise should emphasize innate talent
D. Decreased self-esteem; praise should emphasize comparison to peers
, Rationale: Dweck's research shows that praising intelligence fosters a fixed mindset
and risk aversion, whereas praising effort and strategies promotes growth mindset
and resilience. Choice A incorrectly suggests resilience; C contradicts the research; D
misidentifies the outcome.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. Which sequence correctly orders the three phases of Zimmerman's self-regulated
learning model?
A. Self-reflection → Forethought → Performance
B. Performance → Forethought → Self-reflection
C. Forethought → Performance → Self-reflection [CORRECT]
D. Forethought → Self-reflection → Performance
Rationale: Zimmerman's model progresses from Forethought (planning), through
Performance (self-control and observation), to Self-reflection (self-judgment and
reaction). Choices A, B, and D present incorrect sequences that disrupt the logical
learning cycle.
Correct Answer: C
Q6. A student completes a study strategies inventory and discovers they rely
exclusively on passive rereading and highlighting for all courses. Which gap
identification and strategy alignment best addresses their needs?
A. Gap in retrieval practice; implement self-quizzing and flashcards [CORRECT]
B. Gap in time management; implement the Pomodoro technique
C. Gap in note-taking; switch to the Cornell method
D. Gap in metacognition; increase highlighting to 30% of text
Rationale: Passive rereading and highlighting indicate a gap in active retrieval
practice. Self-quizzing and flashcards strengthen memory consolidation through
active recall. Choice B addresses time management which is not the identified gap; C
