education of metacognition is needed to bring it to full potential over the life-span.
Benefits of Metacognition
Metacognition is being seen as increasingly useful in educational applications. Practical research into the benefits of learning strategies is grounded in the concept of metacognition. I have written about the benefits of a good reading strategy, the test your memory study strategy, critical thinking skills, a strategy to help with how to make a decision, and others.
Kuhn argues that two important educational goals are to:
- Know how to use strategies for processing information effectively
- Enhance awareness and understanding of one’s own cognition
The idea is that you need training on specific strategies, but also on explicit knowledge of cognition in order to understand strategy application. The latter is important to enable you to transfer and adapt what you have learned.
What is metacognition really good for? Kuhn reminds us that in 1979, John Flavell painted a broad vision that is yet being realized:
It is at least conceivable that the ideas currently brewing in this area could someday be parlayed into a method teaching children (and adults) to make wise and thoughtful life decisions as well as to comprehend and learn better in formal educational settings. (p. 910)
It’s a far off goal we can feel good about working towards, though by no means does it stretch into the realm of Jedi mind tricks. Don’t be bamboozled when metacognition makes its way into the conversation. Don’t run away and don’t conjure images of metaphysics. Wet your lips, reflect on your thinking, and join in the discussion.
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Image Credit: Caza_No_7
Flavell, J. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive-developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34 (10), 906-911 DOI: 10.1037//0003-066X.34.10.906
Kuhn, D. (2000). Metacognitive Development Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9 (5), 178-181 DOI: 10.1111/1467-8721.00088