Importance of meta cognition;
Metacognition refers to an individual’s ability to plan, monitor, evaluate, and make changes to their own learning behaviours in order to confront challenges more effectively.
However, You might have heard it defined as ‘thinking about thinking’. The elements of active monitoring and modifying of thought processes make it much more than this. It is also a form of self-regulation, involving self-awareness, critical analysis skills, and the ability to problem-solve.
Furthermore For students, having metacognitive skills means that they are able to recognise their own cognitive abilities. They direct their own learning, evaluate their performance, understand what caused their successes or failures, and learn new strategies.
Although It can also help them learn how to revise. This is because it optimises their basic cognitive processes, including memory, attention, activation of prior knowledge. Also being able to solve or complete a task.
Although It makes them learn more efficiently and more effectively, and so they are able to make more progress.
In addition, Metacognitive skills are useful across all subjects, because they enhance the way you learn, as opposed to what you learn.
Also, They are teachable; as a result, teachers of all subjects should help their students to develop them.
Although metacognition is about students taking control of their own learning. A teacher is still required to help them develop skills and strategies in order to do so.
Moreover, it is recommended that you teach metacognition alongside subject content, rather than having specific ‘learning to learn’ or ‘thinking skills’ sessions. These sessions are ineffective, because students find it hard to relate generic tips to subject-specific learning.
In this article you will learn some of the Importance of meta cognition;
1. It aids inclusion:
Meta cognition makes it easier for students who have certain disabilities to feel equal with their peers.
Meta cognitive skills can be used by any student for any subject.
The students do not have to worry about feeling left out since these skills when used properly encourage diversity as well as inclusion in the classroom.
2. It promotes independent learning:
Meta cognition makes it easier for the students to monitor and track their progress. The students are able to think and reflect on their work and how they can improve and get better. The students also do not necessarily have to be in the classroom before they can learn or work on any subject of their choice. This makes it easier for them to learn at their own pace and also become independent learners.
3. It is not restricted:
Meta cognition cuts across several learning concepts such as arithmetics, critical thinking, comprehension, problem solving and lots more. This will not restrict the student to a particular field or context of study since they it is useful for all age groups regardless of the education level of the student.
Also the student is also free to share their knowledge with others. This makes learning more rewarding for them.
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Author: Semira Ayeni.