Metacognition is the ability to think about one’s own thinking. It is an essential cognitive skill that helps people learn and remember information.
Metacognition can help you learn and remember information in two ways. The first way is called episodic metacognition. This is the ability to remember what you have learned by recalling the specific instances when you learned it. For example, you might remember the information you learned about the solar system during a science class by recalling the specific examples you were given. The second way is called systematic metacognition. This is the ability to remember information by recognizing and using patterns. For example, you might remember the information you learned about the solar system by recognizing that the planets orbit the sun.
Metacognition is also important for learning new information. When you are learning something new, metacognition helps you process the information. It helps you understand what you are learning and how to use it. For example, you might use metacognition to understand how to solve a problem.
How Metacognition Boosts Learning:
- It helps learners learn from their mistakes as well as from their accomplishments.
- It allows learners to see the bigger picture and compare their current understanding of a subject with their previous knowledge.
- It enhances learners’ motivation to learn as well as their ability to retain information.
- It can help learners identify the assumptions they made and question these assumptions.
- It can help learners develop a flexible and adaptive approach to learning, which is conducive to retaining information.
