Metacognition

Benjamin C. Heider

Learning Targets :

Define Metacognition

Explain to peer their own thought process and why they think that way

Discuss how they found out what their thought process is

What is Metacognition?

Metacognition means thinking about your own thinking and learning how to control it. It’s an important skill that can really help students do better in school. Even though you can get better at metacognition with practice, many students find it hard to use these skills well(Stanton, J. D., Sebesta, A. J., & Dunlosky, J,2021). To assist in building these skills there are three big ways teachers can help. Teaching students how to study better, helping them check and control their own learning, and encouraging teamwork where students think together. Teachers can gather information from important studies and turn it into simple tips that students can use in their work(Xiaoyu, J., Weijian, L., & Liren, C. ,2019). Teachers should encourage the use of metacognition because it is a helpful tool that can enable students to improve in their own ways.

The above image is of a group of people placing gears in the silhouette of a head, giving an inner look of a persons mind and how it may work.

Here's a video for some extra in depth review!

This video gives a brief and intuitive explanation of metacognition, I am including this because though my text about metacognition is similar some people are auditory learners and some prefer to watch presentations to better understand.

How can I better understand metacognition?

Metacognition is all about understanding how you think and learn. It’s like stepping outside your brain and watching how it works. When you use metacognition, you’re asking yourself questions like, “Do I really understand this?” or “Is this the best way to study?” This helps you figure out what learning methods work best for you. For example, maybe you realize you remember things better when you write them down or teach them to someone else. That’s metacognition in action. It’s not just about getting the right answers, it’s about knowing how you got there and if there’s a better way(Xiaoyu, J., Weijian, L., & Liren, C. ,2019). The more you practice thinking about your thinking, the better you get at solving problems and learning new things. It’s like being your own coach, helping you grow smarter and more confident. Learning metacognitive skills can really help in school and in everyday life too(Stanton, J. D., Sebesta, A. J., & Dunlosky, J,2021).

Why is Metacognition important to understand for students?

Metacognition is all about a student thinking about how they learn best. Since everyone's brain works differently, there's no single "right" way to study(Xiaoyu, J., Weijian, L., & Liren, C. ,2019). One person might find that they learn best by drawing out complex diagrams or watching videos, because they are a visual thinker. Another student might need to talk through a problem with a friend or record themselves explaining a concept out loud. The key is to pay attention to what helps information stick for you(Stanton, J. D., Sebesta, A. J., & Dunlosky, J,2021). You can figure this out by trying different methods and checking in with yourself, "Did that work? Did I really understand it?" and by experimenting and being self-aware, you can find the study strategies that make the most sense for your unique way of thinking, helping you become a more effective learner.

Use this padlet to discuss how you feel/think with your peers!

What should I take away from this well put together lesson?

Metacognition is all about thinking about your own thinking, and it's a super useful skill that can really help you do better in school. It’s like stepping outside your brain and watching how it works, which helps you figure out the best way for you to learn. Since everyone's brain is different, there’s no single right way to study. For example, some people learn best by drawing diagrams or watching videos because they’re visual thinkers. Others might need to talk through problems with a friend or teach a topic to someone else(Xiaoyu, J., Weijian, L., & Liren, C. ,2019). Metacognition means you pay attention to what helps information stick for you(Stanton, J. D., Sebesta, A. J., & Dunlosky, J,2021). You can do this by trying different methods and checking in with yourself, "Did that work? Do I really understand this?" Even though it can be tough to master, teachers can help by teaching new study habits, encouraging teamwork, and giving you simple tips to use in your daily work. The more you practice this self-awareness, the better you get at solving problems and becoming a more confident, effective learner, both in school and in everyday life.

Questions !

What is metacognition?

a. A social media company

b. thinking about your own thinking

c. auditory learning style

d. tactile learning style

Is there a "correct" way to learn?

a. yes

b. no

References

Stanton, J. D., Sebesta, A. J., & Dunlosky, J. (2021). Fostering Metacognition to Support Student Learning and Performance. CBE life sciences education, 20(2), fe3. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.20-12-0289

Xiaoyu, J., Weijian, L., & Liren, C. (2019). The role of metacognitive components in creative thinking. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article 2404. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02404

Perry, J., Lundie, D., & Golder, G. (2018). Metacognition in schools: what does the literature suggest about the effectiveness of teaching metacognition in schools? Educational Review, 71, 483 - 500.

Branigan, H.E. (2021). ‘Never mind children’s cognition, what about mine?’ Teachers’ perspectives of the enactment of policy: The case of metacognition. The Curriculum Journal.

Maguire, M., Ball, S.J., & Braun, A. (2013). What ever happened to …? ‘Personalised learning’ as a case of policy dissipation. Journal of Education Policy, 28, 322 - 338.

Answer key

Q1 - B

Q2 - B

How I used AI !

The AI tools I used for this assignment are both Gemini and Chat GPT
My AI use for this task was very little to be honest, I used it only for proof reading and paraphrasing advice. This sped up my process of finishing the by a little. I felt it made my writing feel less true to what I'd want the wording to give off. I only used it for light paraphrasing so I never really gave anything about my topci to the AI.
Personally I don't mind AI too much but I believe it takes the life out of my writing because I don't feel like I wrote it and I want to write as much as I can.

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