Learning Strategies and the Possibilities of Virtual Learning Environment

AbstractThe paper focuses on the differentiation of learning strategies into the following categories according to their functions: cognitive, metacognitive, affective and social. Learning strategies can be further classified according to their goals; e.g. strategies aiming to identify the subject matter to be learned, to distinguish one subject matter from another, to cluster information to facilitate learning, practising strategies, using mnemonic devices to remember things, etc. With regard to this, in a virtual learning environment, it is desirable to distinguish between primary and supportive strategies. Primary strategies include summarising, concept maps, mind maps, message formulation. Supportive strategies focus on affecting motivational and executive functions, which can also be implemented in a virtual learning environment.Theoretical basis for the issue of learning strategies will be illustrated with specific examples of e-learning courses and supplemented by students’ opinions on efficiency of these strategies