Essential Metacognition in action

Essential Metacognition

This is really a “getting started with metacognition” so is probably best suited to P1.

Essential metacognition looks at the full resource and selects only those metacognitive questions that students ‘can’t do without’. Based on the full document “Metacognition in action,” here are the two essential ‘before,’ two essential ‘during,’ and two essential ‘after’ screens that would benefit students the most from this full resource:

Before a Task:

1. Do I understand what I am expected to do?

   • This question is crucial as it ensures that students have a clear grasp of the task requirements before they begin. Understanding the expectations helps in planning and executing the task effectively.

2. What are the steps needed to complete this task?

   • Identifying the steps required to complete the task helps students create a structured approach, ensuring they don’t overlook any part of the process.

During a Task:

1. Am I using the strategies that I know?

   • This question prompts students to actively apply their known strategies and skills, making sure they are leveraging their existing knowledge effectively during the task.

2. Have I checked that my learning is on track?

   • Regularly checking their progress helps students stay aligned with their goals and allows them to make adjustments if they deviate from the expected path.

After a Task:

1. What did I do well?

   • Reflecting on what went well reinforces positive behaviours and strategies, which can be replicated in future tasks.

2. What have I learnt from this task?

   • This question encourages students to reflect on the learning outcomes, helping them internalise the lessons and apply them in future scenarios.

These essential metacognitive questions guide students in understanding, planning, monitoring, and reflecting on their learning processes, ultimately enhancing their learning efficiency and effectiveness.