Modeling student teachers’ self-regulated learning of complex professional knowledge: A sequential and clustering analysis with think-aloud protocols

There has been much discussion regarding the positive relationship between self-regulated learning (SRL) and technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) development for student teachers. This study continued this claim and adopted advanced analytical methods to explain how SRL influences TPACK learning. Think-aloud protocols from 39 participants were collected and transcribed when they were learning TPACK by designing technology-infused lessons with nBrowser, a computer-based learning environment. Based on models, nine critical SRL events were retrieved from participants‘ think-aloud protocols and analyzed through sequential clustering analysis. The results show two SRL groups indicating distinct self-regulatory sequential patterns. One group had a shorter sequence length and dominantly enacted elaboration activities (Low-SRL group), while the other had longer sequence lengths and engaged in diverse SRL activities (High-regulation group). Relating to TPACK performance indicated by the quality of lesson plans, the results reveal that the participants in the High-SRL group outperformed their counterparts in the Low-SRL group. The findings are consistent with previous evidence and provide implications for practitioners about the importance of student teachers’ self-regulation trajectories. Copyright © 2025 The Author. Published by Elsevier Ltd.