Metacognition

Metacognition is another component of our teaching and learning model. It is a critically important, yet often overlooked component of learning. Effective learning involves planning and goal-setting, monitoring one’s progress, and adapting as needed. All of these activities are metacognitive in nature. By teaching students these skills, all of which can be learned, we can improve student learning. There are three critical steps to teaching metacognition:

• Teaching students that their ability to learn is mutable
• Teaching planning and goal-setting
• Giving students ample opportunities to practice monitoring their learning and adapting as necessary