Metacognition and self-regulated learning definitions and skills

 Metacognition is thinking about thinking. Or, understanding your own thinking process. (Metacognition as self-awareness of learning.)

Self-regulated learning is the ability to plan, monitor, and assess your learning process. It involves understanding your abilities, your limitations, your preferences, your time constraints, having some strategies you can use to learn, and (for me) being reflective about the learning you’ve done: Was it fun? Was it interesting? Was it useful? Is it something I want to pursue? Does it match my values? How can maximize learning that’s important to ME versus learning that’s important to my career? (Can I make them one of the same?) 

Metacognition Skills

Planning: What am I supposed to learn? What prior knowledge might help me? What should I do first? What should I look for? How much time do I have? What do I want to accomplish?  What tools and strategies do I want to use?

Monitoring: Make adjustments to the plan as needed. Use “fix up” strategies when meaning and learning breaks down. How am I doing? Am I understanding? Am I on the right track? How should I proceed? What information is important to remember? Should I move in a different direction? Should I adjust the pace? What should I do if I don’t understand?

Evaluating: After completion: Did the strategies and plans work well? Being metacognitive about the metacognitive process. How might I adjust my time, strategies, and techniques next time?