For too many years, teachers have prepared lesson
plans according to their own preferred way of
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learning
whilst
ignoring
the fact that all children
process incoming information differently.
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teachers tend to “focus on teaching activities
and tend to ignore learning activities. They
center attention on how to teach a given topic,
rather than on what is required for a learner to
learn the topic. This stems, in part, from
teachers’ limited knowledge of the learning
process” (Novak, 1998:120).
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In this way, many children are left behind or
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build an image of themselves as non-learners.
Yet, everyone can learn!
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METACOGNITION
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One’s knowledge about cognition and the ability
to manage and direct one’s own learning and thinking.
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Margaret Gredler
The ability to think about thinking, to be consciously
aware of oneself as a problem solver, and to monitor and
control one’s mental processing.
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John T. Bruer
It is an interpersonal communication where time
is given to quietly think and reflect on what one
is learning.
METACOGNITION
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• KNOWING HOW TO LEARN, and knowing which
strategies work best, are valuable skills that
differentiate expert learners from novice
learners. Metacognition, or awareness of the
process of learning, is a critical ingredient to
successful learning.
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METACOGNITION consists of two
basic processes occurring
simultaneously:
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Monitoring your progress as you learn
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making changes and adapting your
strategies if you perceive you are not doing
so well.
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It's about self-reflection, self-responsibility
and initiative, as well as goal setting and
time management.
METACOGNITION
(thinking about thinking)
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Flavell argued that metacognition explains why
children of different ages deal with learning
tasks in different ways, i.e., they have
developed new strategies for
thinking. Research studies seem to confirm
this conclusion; as children get older they
demonstrate more awareness of their thinking
processes.
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METACOGNITION is a mental
process
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METACOGNITION
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Novice learners
vs
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Expert learners
Metacognitive Strategies for
Successful Learning
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Imagine you are about to take a final exam. Here are some
metacognitive strategies to try:
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More on Metacognitive Strategies
for Successful Learning
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Awareness:
• Consciously identify what you already know
• Define the learning goal
• Consider your personal resources (e.g. textbooks, access
to the library, access to a computer work station or a
quiet study area)
• Consider the task requirements (essay test, multiple
choice, etc.)
• Determine how your performance will be evaluated
• Consider your motivation level
• Determine your level of anxiety
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More on Metacognitive Strategies
for Successful Learning
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Planning:
• Estimate the time required to complete the task
• Plan study time into your schedule and set
priorities
• Make a checklist of what needs to happen when
• Organize materials
• Take the necessary steps to learn by using
strategies like outlining, mnemonics,
diagramming, etc.
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More on Metacognitive Strategies
for Successful Learning
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Monitoring and Reflection:
• Reflect on the learning process, keeping
track of what works and what doesn't work
for you
• Monitor your own learning by questioning
and self-testing
• Provide your own feedback
• Keep concentration and motivation high
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Why Are Metacognitive Strategies
So Important?
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• As students become more skilled at using
metacognitive strategies, they gain confidence
and become more independent as learners.
Independence leads to ownership as student's
realise they can pursue their own intellectual
needs and discover a world of information at
their fingertips.
• The task of educators is to acknowledge,
cultivate, exploit and enhance the metacognitive
capabilities of all learners.
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