When we speak of metacognition, we refer to the development of knowledge and the activities of thought. Over time, the need to promote this type of metacognitive skills and strategies has emerged more and more in children. students as it helps them to think for themselves and not only to accumulate knowledge as has been done all their lives.
This type of strategy, unlike only accumulating knowledge, has a more transcendental meaning and increases cognitive abilities significantly. In this article from Psychology-Online: metacognitive skills and strategies in learning, we are going to let you know in detail and we will provide several examples.
As we defined at the beginning of this article, metacognition consists of becoming aware of our own ability to develop strategies and resources that will help us to carry out a task in a effective. Likewise also know and learn to regulate our cognitive processes Step by Step.
There are different modalities in which metacognition can occur and it is interesting to know what each of these are since they are related to a different cognitive capacity.
- Meta-memory. This modality refers to the knowledge and awareness that we have about our own memory and everything that is related to it. It refers to the knowledge of our own memory capacities, our limitations, our ability to relate knowledge previously stored with the new ones, the way in which we usually retrieve and make use of information, etc.
- Meta-attention. It refers to the fact of being aware of how our own attention works and the way in which we can have control over it. For example, noticing when we begin to get distracted, what we can do to return to focus our attention where we want it, know what strategies work best for us to achieve it, etc. It is about knowing how to optimize our attention at all times when it is necessary.
- Meta-understanding. It is about knowing our own capacity to understand and how we can use it. One of the main deficiencies in learning is the act of reading but not really understanding and this is what happens to many students. Some of them even go as far as concentrate and memorize the text, which can be useful to solve the exams but that does not mean they have had an apprenticeship significant since they haven't really understood it. So it is necessary to develop this skill in students so that they are aware of their level of understanding and learn to optimize it.
- Meta-thought. It is about generating awareness about our own thinking. This is of the utmost importance since we usually think very little about our own thoughts which include our beliefs and ideas that we have been developing throughout over time. Rather than focus on the fact that “what to think", It is more about"how to think”.
Next, we will introduce you to some exercises and strategies that are often used in the classroom to teach students to develop each of their metacognitive skills.
Exercise 1. Deduce the meaning of words according to their context
In this exercise, students are shown different phrases where it is used an unknown word in different contexts. The aim of the exercise is for students to deduce the meaning of the unknown word in this way, that is, based on in the context and mainly that they know the importance of using their own strategies to reach a Outcome.
Exercise 2. Try different ways to learn something new
East type of learning strategy It helps the student to know different methods for acquiring new knowledge, broaden the vision of it and be able to choose the method that is more comfortable or more practical for learning.
- For example, when a new word is learned, it can be taught by doing it in different ways such as: relating the word with images, finding a synonym with another word that you already know, identifying with the sound, etc.
Exercise 3. Self-assessment exercises
After having carried out an activity and having learned a new topic, they are given time to evaluate themselves. themselves and reflect on their performance in that specific activity, asking themselves questions such as: Can I improve my performance in this activity? What was the most difficult for me when doing it? What was the most difficult for me? facilitated?, etc.
To finish this article on metacognitive skills and strategies, we are going to offer you some final activities to work on metacognition.
Exercise 4. Exercises to develop cognitive strategies
Before and after having carried out a specific task or during an exam, the student is asked to analyze what strategies he carried out for each of them.
- For example, after taking a test that remembers how much you concentrated to study, what factors influenced you to concentrate or stop concentrating and how you could do better for the next time.
Exercise 5. Ask questions
Is about promote curiosity in students and the desire to learn more and more. Therefore, the teacher, instead of being the one who is constantly asking them questions in class about the topics covered, ask the students to ask questions to the teacher. This can be done in class when a topic is being presented or at home when students are doing their homework. and read about a topic, writing down the doubts that arise and that are not well explained so that the next day they can discuss them with the teacher.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
