We should be doing this all important skill quite often and we encourage our learners to do it too....so how is it I just learned the word to describe it is metacognition?
So why are metacognitive abilities so important?
If learners are reflecting (thinking) about their current knowledge and constructing new knowledge and reflecting (thinking) about this new idea, and be able to problem solve. They are likely to build long term understanding of the concept and may drive them into more learning as well.
Here's a quote taken from a Fact Sheet about metacognition that was shared on our PIDP learning Forum:
"Individuals with well-developed metacognitive skills can think through a problem or approach a learning task, select appropriate strategies, and make decisions about a course of action to resolve the problem or successfully perform the task. They often think about their own thinking processes, taking time to think about and learn from mistakes or inaccuracies (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 1995)."
Here's a quote taken from a Fact Sheet about metacognition that was shared on our PIDP learning Forum:
"Individuals with well-developed metacognitive skills can think through a problem or approach a learning task, select appropriate strategies, and make decisions about a course of action to resolve the problem or successfully perform the task. They often think about their own thinking processes, taking time to think about and learn from mistakes or inaccuracies (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 1995)."
So What's my role as a facilitator?
Working to develop these skills in our learners means picking opportunities for them to actively reflect on their learning and think about their approach. Activities like reflective journaling is a great one, as well as turning students to when and why a process is used, not just how to do a specific process.
Encourage them to talk aloud, be critical when they complete a process about how they went about it, what they could do differently and ask questions about why they did it that way.
There are tons of great strategies to help students develop their metacognitive abilities. Check some out here.
Encourage them to talk aloud, be critical when they complete a process about how they went about it, what they could do differently and ask questions about why they did it that way.
There are tons of great strategies to help students develop their metacognitive abilities. Check some out here.
When working with volunteers, I can see that this could be especially important for those leading other volunteers, or executing important projects. The opportunities to use case studies in a workshop that can then be reflected on and learned from prior to the event, would be an excellent use of time and energy. Let's face it we can never guess what is going to come up at an event, but if we can develop skills to problem solve it appropriately, everything will go more smoothly.