Int. J. Cont. Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2008 283 Copyright © 2008 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Meta-Tutor: an online environment for knowledge construction and self-regulated learning in clinical psychology teaching Eduardo Peñalosa* and Sandra Castañeda Graduate Department of the Psychology Faculty, Cognitive Development and Technological Innovation Laboratory, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Av. Universidad 3004, edificio “D”, cubículo 6, México, D.F. 04510, Mexico E-mail: eduardo.penalosa@gmail.com E-mail: sandra@servidor.unam.mx *Corresponding author Abstract: Many online courses of psychology reported in literature are web-based versions of traditional courses, based on a flawed model of how people learn, equating education to transmission of information. This model underlies the lecture-based classroom approach used in many university courses, as well as the online translations of these courses. In this study, an alternative is proposed and evaluated empirically: a learning environment based on a sound instructional design, including knowledge constructing and self-regulated learning features. Results show that learners using this environment perform better than controls in several tests. Implications for online learning environments construction are discussed. Keywords: instructional design; learning environments; online learning; teaching of psychology; web-based instruction. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Peñalosa, E. and Castañeda, S. (2008) ‘Meta-Tutor: an online environment for knowledge construction and self-regulated learning in clinical psychology teaching’, Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp.283–297. Biographical Notes: Eduardo Peñalosa is a Professor of Psychology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His research interests include the analysis, assessment and promotion of interactivity and knowledge construction in online learning, as well as instructional design and strategic learning. He has participated in the development of online learning platforms and contents for higher education and organisational training. He conducted the Distance Education Psychology Programme at the National University of Mexico. Sandra Castañeda is a Professor in the Graduate Department of Psychology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She has been awarded for her teaching and research labour in the areas of cognition development and complex learning. She has been an invited proffessor in European and Latin American universities, and has published more than 130 works including journal articles and books related to theoretical principles, procedures and useful techniques to research, asssess and foster cognitive development and complex learning.