Could self-regulated learning be the key to life success?
In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, I’m joined by Dr Shyam Barr — educator, researcher and author of Educate to Self-Regulate: Empowering Learners for Lifelong Success. Together, we explore one of the most important and often overlooked skills in education: self-regulated learning.
We discuss what it really means to take charge of our thinking, our emotions, and our actions — and how we can help students do the same. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to support learning that lasts, and why wellbeing can’t be separated from the process of teaching and learning.
What you’ll learn in this episode
- What self-regulated learning really is and how it goes beyond behaviour management to help students understand their own thinking, motivation and emotions.
- Why procrastination isn’t always laziness and how small, simple strategies can help students (and educators) take action more easily.
- How emotional wellbeing and learning are deeply connected and why students need safety and support to take risks and grow.
- Practical ways educators can model and embed self-regulated learning into everyday moments without adding to their workload.
Who Is Dr Shyam Barr?
Dr Shyam Barr is an Assistant Professor of Learning Sciences at the University of Canberra, with over 15 years of experience in teaching, school leadership, consultancy and research. He’s passionate about helping educators build student capacity for self-regulated learning — a skill that not only supports academic growth but equips young people to succeed in life beyond the classroom.
Why This Conversation Matters
In a time when students are feeling more overwhelmed, distracted and uncertain than ever, the ability to self-regulate — to pause, reflect and respond intentionally — has never been more important.
This conversation matters because it reminds us that learning is not just about delivering content or managing behaviour. It’s about teaching students how to learn, how to stay motivated, how to navigate challenges and how to take deliberate action when things don’t go to plan.
It also matters because as educators, we are not just teaching subjects. We are shaping habits, beliefs and ways of being. When we understand self-regulated learning and begin to model it ourselves, we create classrooms where students feel seen, supported and capable of growth.
This episode invites us to reflect on our own learning habits, challenge old assumptions and lean into a more human, sustainable and empowering approach to education — for ourselves and for our students.
You can quote us on that…
“Make learning as easy as possible for yourself so that you minimise any barriers that might stop you.”
Dr Shyam Barr
“You can’t separate wellbeing from teaching and learning.”
Dr Shyam Barr
Contact
Dr Shyam Barr – Website | Linkedin | Instagram | Book
Want to learn more?
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Hi, I'm Meg!
B.Phys Ed, M. Ed (Student Wellbeing), CIPP
I’m a teacher with experience working in primary and secondary schools across Australia, and a specialist in the field of wellbeing education and coaching. I founded Open Mind Education in 2013 with a vision of sharing practical, enriching wellbeing education with staff, parents, and broader school communities.
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