Metacognition
Source: Costa (nd)
Metacognition is our ability to know what we know and what we don’t know.(See Graphic 6)
It is our ability to plan a strategy for producing what information is needed, to be conscious of our own steps and strategies during the act of problem solving, and to reflect on and evaluate the productiveness of our own thinking.
Major components – developing a plan of action. Marinating that plan in mind over a period of time, then reflecting back on evaluating the plan upon it’s completion.
Metacognitive Reflection
Source: Greenwald (1999)
The following kinds of questions promote the ability to learn, monitor and evaluate your own work. Using a journal to record your responses is helpful.
- What was I expected to do?
- What are some examples of what I did well?
- What parts of this process/assignment were difficult? Why?
- If I were to do this over again, what would I do differently?
- What specific strategies helped me accomplish my goal?
- What is an example of my being aware of using a particular kind of thinking?
- What are some connections between this learning and other subjects?
- How does what I have learned relate to other things I do?
- How has this problem helped me become a better problem solver?
- How well do I think I did for this assignment/project?
