An Introduction to Metacognition

Metacognition is not an easy concept to explain. Even the word itself sounds scientific enough to put many people off examining it. Let's start with the word Meta. It simply means 'beyond" or "the next level". Cognition is about acquiring knowledge and understanding via your thinking and experiences. Metacognition, therefore, is "thinking about your thinking" or "knowing about knowing".

It's not an old word, it arrived through psychologist John H Flavell in 1976. It is seen largely in education circles when working out the best way to learn. Discovering the most efficient way to think and understand, to complete problems or tasks. And when you're stuck, being able to know what to do to get unstuck.

We are using metacognition most of the day without even being aware, such as planning, and self-reflecting. If we then become more aware of our feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, we can then decide if we wish to change how we do things.

For me back at University, I had to do a large amount of reading to then produce an essay. I would write pages and pages of notes as I read through books. I would then highlight my notes to bring out the key points. I would then write an essay based on these highlighted sections.

The above example is of metacognitive knowledge. It's what i "knew" about learning. I was aware that I couldn't simply read all the books, hold all this complex information in my head, then just write an essay.

There's also metacognitive regulation. What I "do" about my learning. For example, I learned that just highlighting notes didn't help me prepare for an exam, there was too much just to hold in my head. I had to reduce these down to a mind map drawn on an A4 piece of paper. I could then glance at the page just before the exam, to quickly visualise all the key concepts and connections.

There's also a third concept. Metacognitive experience. You have a feedback system working inside of you whilst you are learning. Through your awareness, thoughts, and feelings. For me, drawing mind maps takes me back to my happy school days. Having a blank piece of paper to start being creative on with pictures and words. It's a fun activity, so it makes learning enjoyable. By knowing I've connected pieces of information successfully makes me feel good and that I'm making progress.

I spotted one more thing that I was doing whilst researching metacognition. I was thinking about thinking about thinking. I think my brain needs a rest.