On Thursday, 15 January, starting at 11.00 a.m., the doctoral thesis defense of PhD candidate David Simón Grábalos will take place in the Sala de Graus at La Salle Campus Barcelona. The thesis, entitled 'Evaluation and improvement of self-regulated learning in first-year undergraduate students in Architecture Studies to reduce the risk of early dropout', has been carried out under the co-direction of Dr David Fonseca Escudero, Dr Silvia Necchi, and Dr Marian Aláez Martínez. The doctoral student is part of the Human Environment Research (HER) research group.
Early dropout in university studies, especially during the first year, represents a persistent challenge in higher education. Among its most frequent causes are the lack of adaptation to the university dynamic due to the abrupt shift from secondary education, inadequate time management, and the absence of consolidated study strategies. These factors particularly affect degree programs of great complexity, such as the Bachelor’s in Architecture Studies, where the academic transition is often experienced with greater difficulty. In this context, self-regulated learning (SRL) emerges as a key component to foster adaptation and, consequently, student retention. Developing competencies that enable students to plan, implement what has been planned, monitor, and evaluate their own learning process is essential to face the challenges of the first year and reduce vulnerability to dropout.
This doctoral thesis makes it possible to identify risk patterns by using different instruments to measure SRL and to determine, based on scientific evidence, effective intervention alternatives for each case through tutorial action. To this end, a longitudinal study was conducted, compiling and analysing academic data, standardized questionnaires, and qualitative assessments, triangulating information from students and tutors. This monitoring system made it possible to identify risk patterns, as well as to verify the positive impact of personalized tutorial action in strengthening self-regulation and improving persistence.
The results indicate that it is possible to reduce dropout risk by promoting self-regulated learning through tutorial interventions, support based on academic analytics, and contextualization within the reality of each degree program. The thesis concludes by proposing a model that, in addition to being applicable to Architecture, can be replicated in other undergraduate studies, thus constituting a roadmap for the design of institutional strategies aimed at retention and academic success.
The court is made upf of the president, Dr Isidro Navarro Delgado; the secretary, Dr Xavier Canaleta Llampallas; and the member, Dr Ariane Díaz Iso.