Let’s think about how we think IT’S ALL ABOUT METACOGNITION Let’s think about how we think

Journal #16 What happens when you get back a test that you have done well on? Do you recheck your answers? Why? What happens when you get back a test that you haven’t done well on? Do you recheck your answers? Why?

METACOGNITION KNOWING HOW TO LEARN, and knowing which strategies work best, are valuable skills that separate expert learners from novice learners. Metacognition, or awareness of the process of learning, is an important part of successful learning.

It’s important to Metacognize! Metacognition involves thinking about one’s own cognitive processes It is thinking about one’s thinking, learning, reasoning, problem solving Metacognition is essential for effective learning in complex situations

Metacognition consists of two basic processes occurring simultaneously: monitoring your progress as you learn making changes and adapting your strategies if you see that you are not doing so well.

Metacognitive skills include: taking conscious control of learning planning and selecting strategies monitoring the progress of learning correcting errors analyzing the effectiveness of learning strategies changing learning behaviors and strategies

Metacognitive Strategies

You’re just a novice Novice Learners don't: stop to evaluate their comprehension of the material. examine the quality of their work or stop to make revisions as they go along. They don't make connections or see the relevance of the material in their lives.

I’m an expert Expert learners are "more aware than novices of when they need to check for errors, why they fail to comprehend, and how they need to redirect their efforts."

Expert vs. Novice Learner Monica: also anxious Emily: slightly worried essay tests hard test on day after playoffs so study harder essay tests a challenge read/re-read text sets a plan: start early memorize vocabulary outline key ideas no explicit plan notes cause->effect starts night before stops to self-assess (Ertmer & Newby, 1996)

Independent Practice For an upcoming homework assignment or test that you have coming up, create a strategy for how you will approach it. Ask Yourself: What is my goal for this assignment? What do I already know? How much time do I need to prepare? What strategies work best for me when I’m preparing? Write a half page summary about how you will use metacognition to achieve your goal.