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What is metacognition ? Successful students are self-aware learners who consciously monitor and focus on their learning as they learn . In other words, they think about their thinking! Thinking about thinking is called metacognition , and it’s an important study skill.
What are the traits of a metacognitive student? FOCUSES ON A SINGLE TASK
Multitasking means trying to pay attention to or work on several tasks at the same time. Neuroscientists have found that humans simply cannot focus well on more than one task at a time. Trying to focus on several matters at once creates conflict within the brain. When the brain is forced to switch back and forth between tasks and activities, it constantly struggles to focus and refocus. It is an inefficient and unproductive way to learn. Laser-like focus on a single task is a trait of a metacognitive student. IDENTIFIES LEARNING GOALS Studying is not unlike many of the other activities you engage in during the day. If you stop at the store on the way home from school, you generally know why you’re there and what you want to get. Before starting a learning task, such as homework, reading, or studying for a test or quiz, the metacognitive student takes a minute to identify the information their brain should be retrieving from the task . Identifying specific learning goals is kind of like creating a shopping list for your brain, telling it what information to pick up as you study. Identification of specific learning goals is a trait of a metacognitive student. ASSESSES LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Physical surroundings impact a student’s ability to meet their learning goals. A metacognitive student assesses their learning environment and makes adjustments to control and manage their learning. “Environment” can include where and when you study, with whom you study, and how you study. The metacognitive student recognizes a poor study environment and adjusts it, or seeks out a new environment which better supports learning. Monitoring and adjusting their environment to optimize learning is a trait of the metacognitive student. ADJUSTS THINKING Metacognitive students are alert to changes in their thinking, such as when their mind wanders off task, or when they don’t understand something. They are aware of attitudes or thoughts that distract them from their learning goals. They are able to adjust their thinking and refocus. If a learning strategy isn’t working, PRODUCT PREVIEW
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THE 21st CENTURY STUDENT’S GUIDE TO STUDY SKILLS
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