Metacognition

Describe metacognition in your own words.
Metacognition refers to becoming aware of your own awareness. In other words, I would
describe as knowing what you know by acquiring a higher order of thinking where you get a
deeper understanding of the things that you already know. It is a person’s beliefs about knowing.
Through metacognition, an individual is in a position to monitor their progress in the process of
learning something new. The understanding enables an individual to organize materials in a
specific way, one that it is easier to learn and remember, and this process enhances their level of
understanding. For instance, due to individual differences, there are certain practice and
evaluation strategies that are more effective to one person, but they are ineffective to another
person. Metacognition is instrumental during self-regulated learning, where a learner needs to
take control of the learning process and understand strategies that work and those that are
ineffective.
What are some metacognitive skills that you utilize when learning something new?
Metacognitive skills are the best predictors of later academic achievement (LeFrançois,
2018). As such, when I am learning something new I utilize several strategies that aid in the
learning process. First, I plan how to approach a learning task; this usually entails planning
whether I will read it directly from a text, watch a video about the concept, discuss with peers
about the new concept, or even attend a webinar. The plan usually depends on available options,
the best way to learn a certain concept, as well as the time I have to accomplish the task. I then
use appropriate strategies and skills to solve the problem at hand. If the problem requires that I

complete a project, I get the materials and do the task, if it entails solving a mathematical
equation, I do exactly that. I then monitor my own progress by taking a short quiz or answering
some questions to gauge my level of understanding before I engage in self-correcting after
checking if I got the answers correctly. I then evaluate the progress I am making towards the
completion of the task. This usually helps me understand my pace, and know whether I am on
the right track or not.
Why do you think it is important for students to have these skills?
According to research, students can be taught metacognitive skills as a way of improving
their learning (Nietfeld & Schraw, 2002). Having metacognitive skills is important for students
as they construct their own understanding. Cognitive strategies help students construct their
knowledge as they are able to guide, regulate and even assess individual learning through
metacognitive strategies. Real learning occurs through “thinking about thinking”. besides,
students gain more confidence in themselves and become more independent learners after
mastering the use of cognitive skills. These skills are important for learners as they enable them
to think through problems, approach a learning task the right way, select appropriate ways to
solve the problem, and even make informed decisions on the best course of action through which
the problem can be solved.
How can students be taught to think? Provide at least two examples.
It is possible to make students more critical, better, more creative and autonomous
thinkers (LeFrançois, 2018). Through reciprocal teaching, a teacher can teach students how to
think. Reciprocal teaching entails teaching students cognitive strategies that increase reading
comprehension. These are generating questions, summarizing, attempting to clarify the meaning

of words and clarifying texts that are confusing, and predicting what happens next, especially in
a passage (LeFrançois, 2018). At first, a teacher teaches these strategies through direct
instruction. With time, students assume the responsibility of assisting each other, providing
explanations, hints, and additional feedback hence the reason it is referred to as reciprocal
teaching. Another way through which students are taught how to think is through the Montessori
approach. It is based on self-directed learning, where learners use specially developed materials
and follow detailed procedures on how to use them (LeFrançois, 2018). the learner does most of
the tasks by themselves and this enhances their thinking. they think independently on the best
way to follow the direction and use the materials to learn. Consequently, their cognition is
developed.

References

LeFrançois, G. R. (2018). Psychology for teaching (2nd ed.). Retrieved from
https://content.ashford.edu
Nietfeld, J. L., & Schraw, G. (2002). The effect of knowledge and strategy training on
monitoring accuracy. The Journal of Educational Research, 95(3), 131-142.