Metacognition is important to the way a student learns. Thus, it is thinking about thinking. Additionally, it involves reflection of what is learned. It includes a student’s strategies and results in the process. A student’s ability to reflect on learning affords them the ability to understand how they learn best.
Metacognition Basics
The basics of one’s thinking to the learning process helps develop awareness.
- It gives students an understanding of previously learned material.
- Thus, students understand and consider what they want to know about a topic.
- They can self-monitor the learning process.
- Therefore, the choice of strategy helps the learning of new material.
- Finally, the evaluation of a particular strategy provides success.
Metacognition Help
Students need help to develop metacognition. Therefore, there are several strategies for teachers and parents.
- First, encourage the recognition of unknown content.
- Provide time for students to reflect on the process of learning.
- Have students recognize what was difficult in the process.
- Review how others get answers.
- Think out loud. As students share ideas aloud with others, they can think through their words.
- Last, students need to write notes or sketch ideas. This provides a visual to the thinking of the student.
As students learn to develop metacognitive skills, it helps them succeed academically. The more they understand how they learn, the more information they retain.
However, some students are more aware of their learning than others. An awareness of how they gain knowledge helps control actions toward more understanding. Thus, knowledge of strengths and weaknesses are discovered.
As students are metacognitively aware, they gain the presence of how to be happy and respected. No matter the strategy or method students use, students are empowered to move their learning.
In order for students to work through today’s challenges, metacognition is important. To consider prior knowledge and evaluate the next steps in learning, students need metacognition skills.
