Metacognition
Learning Objectives
Understand what metacognition is and its usefulness in developing problem solving approaches and methods.
Apply metacognition to your own teaching and learning.
Develop methods to facilitate the development of metacognition for students in Peer Work.
Discuss strategies for helping students use metacognition to optimize their strategies for learning.
Readings
How Do Students Become Self-Directed Learners? (in Canvas)
Activities
Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) online (8-10 min)
Metacognition Handout (in Canvas) (LA work 5-10 min, discussion 5-10 min)
Scenario 1 - Alek
During the online lecture, you enter a breakout room with Alek, Jean, and Rodrigo, as they discuss a challenging google doc handout question that consists of a detailed scenario with multiple possible correct responses. They are discussing how difficult the question is and are irritated at the complexity. Alek is visibly irritated and claims “I don’t know why the instructor asks these trick questions. I’m just in this class because I plan to take the MCATs, so I wish the instructor would just tell me the answers already!”
How do you respond to promote metacognition? Which types of metacognition do you think would help with Alek’s understanding and “buy-in” in the course?
Scenario 2 - Claudia
Claudia visits you during office hours to discuss the grade she received on her last research paper. She is upset because she thinks that the instructor isn’t being fair in their grading, so she feels that there’s no point in trying so hard on the next assignment because no matter how hard she works, “it won’t matter”.
How do you respond to promote metacognition? Which types of metacognition do you think would help with Claudia’s understanding and “buy-in” in the course?
Discussion Questions
What has been metacognitive in this class?
Why have we been using these metacognitive strategies?
Is there an aspect of metacognition, in this class or another, that you can recommit to for the remainder of the semester?
Action Steps
Write down a specific goal you want to accomplish stating what you want, (I want to interact more with ALL the students at Table 3.)
Consider multiple actions that you can take to accomplish your goal.
What will be the obstacles that will reduce success? How can you plan to overcome the obstacles?
