That's So Meta(cognitive)! from edX

This online workshop: That’s So Meta(cognitive)! is based on ideas presented in Good Thinking! an original animated series developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center

(SSEC) and FableVision Studios as a professional development resource for K-12 science educators.

Metacognition, the thinking about our thinking as well as acting on our thinking that is so important to learning, is a skill that can be taught, practiced, and learned. Helping students develop the skills to become self-directed and independent learners will enhance their learning experiences in school. In addition, improving metacognitive strategies related to students' schoolwork also provides young people with tools to reflect and grow in their emotional and social lives. When students are metacognitive, they can take a step back and observe their thinking. This is called the reflective process. When using this approach, they might ask themselves questions like these: What is the problem to be solved? How should I solve the problem? How well am I doing? How well did I do? How can I do it better the next time?

Being good at science is not simply remembering a lot of facts and vocabulary or providing correct answers quickly to questions. Rather, science starts from curiosity and questions around the world. And, doing science requires the ability to use appropriate science and engineering practices to formulate scientific questions, to plan investigations, to search for answers, to analyze data to find answers, and to present evidence to support the final conclusions or claims. In this, workshop we look at what metacognition is, and how one teacher is helping students reflect on what they know and don’t know, and then on what questions to ask, and how to answer them.

Common abbreviations in the text

§ Science and Engineering Practices (SEP)

§ Crosscutting Concepts (CCC)

§ Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

§ Framework for K-12 Science Education (Framework)

§ Nature of Science (NOS)

§ Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Workshop objectives:
Understand what metacognition is and what strategies can be used to support student learning and achievement.
Learn about how to identify and measure different types of knowledge.

Identify metacognitive strategies used in teaching and application of these strategies in diverse settings.
Develop lesson plans for helping students use metacognitive strategies in science.

Workshop objectives:
Understand what metacognition is and what strategies can be used to support student learning and achievement.
Learn about how to identify and measure different types of knowledge.
Identify metacognitive strategies used in teaching and application of these strategies in diverse settings.
Develop lesson plans for helping students use metacognitive strategies in science.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Incorporates metacognition, which fosters independent and self-directed learning, enhancing overall student experiences

Explores metacognitive techniques that empower students to reflect on their learning, promoting self-awareness and growth

Provides strategies for diverse learning environments, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity

Grounded in the principles of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, ensuring a strong foundation in science education

Explores metacognition in the context of science education, making it directly relevant to educators

Suitable for K-12 science educators seeking to enhance their teaching practices through metacognitive strategies

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in That's So Meta(cognitive)! with these activities:

Review Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) of NGSS

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SEP form the foundation of scientific inquiry. Reviewing these practices will provide valuable context for the course.

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Read about SEP in the NGSS
Reflect on how SEP is used in your own science teaching
Discuss SEP with a colleague

Read: Making Thinking Visible

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This book provides a framework for understanding and developing metacognitive strategies in the classroom.

View The Power of Making Thinking Visible: Practices... on Amazon

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Read the book
Reflect on the key ideas
Identify metacognitive strategies that you can use in your own teaching

Find tutorials on metacognition and science teaching

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There are many helpful tutorials available online that can provide you with more information about metacognition and how to use it in your science teaching.

Browse courses on Metacognition

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Search for tutorials on metacognition and science teaching
Watch or read the tutorials
Reflect on how you can use the information in your own teaching

Five other activities

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Attend a workshop on metacognition

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Workshops can provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts in the field and network with other educators who are interested in metacognition.

Browse courses on Metacognition

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Find a workshop on metacognition
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop
Reflect on what you learned

Collaborate with other educators to develop metacognitive strategies

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Collaborating with other educators can help you to develop new ideas and strategies for using metacognition in your science teaching.

Browse courses on Metacognition

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Find other educators who are interested in metacognition
Meet with them regularly to discuss metacognition and science teaching
Develop metacognitive strategies together

Practice using metacognitive strategies in science lessons

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The best way to learn how to use metacognitive strategies in your science teaching is to practice.

Browse courses on Metacognition

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Plan a science lesson that incorporates metacognitive strategies
Teach the lesson
Reflect on how the lesson went
Make adjustments to your teaching based on your reflection

Create a lesson plan that incorporates metacognitive strategies

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Creating a lesson plan is a great way to put your understanding of metacognition into practice.

Browse courses on Metacognition

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Choose a science topic
Develop learning objectives for the lesson
Identify metacognitive strategies that you can use in the lesson
Write the lesson plan

Create a video tutorial on metacognition for science teachers

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Creating a video tutorial is a great way to share your knowledge of metacognition with other educators.

Browse courses on Metacognition

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Plan your tutorial
Record your tutorial
Edit your tutorial
Share your tutorial

Career center

Learners who complete That's So Meta(cognitive)! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Higher Education Administrator

Higher Education Administrators may use metacognitive strategies to understand how their institution is functioning and to make decisions that are more effective at improving student learning. Additionally, Higher Education Administrators can teach metacognitive strategies to faculty and staff to help them become more effective at teaching and supporting students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Higher Education Administrator

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers may use metacognitive strategies to understand how students learn and to develop curricula that are more effective at teaching students. Additionally, Curriculum Developers can teach metacognitive strategies to teachers to help them become more effective at teaching.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers may use metacognitive strategies to understand how students learn and to design instruction that is more effective at teaching students. Additionally, Instructional Designers can teach metacognitive strategies to teachers to help them become more effective at teaching.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Teacher

Teachers may use metacognitive strategies to understand how their students learn and to adjust their teaching methods accordingly. Additionally, teachers can teach metacognitive strategies to students to help them become more effective learners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Science Teacher

Science teachers may use metacognitive strategies to understand how their students learn and to adjust their teaching methods accordingly. Additionally, science teachers can teach metacognitive strategies to students to help them become more effective learners of science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

School Administrator

School Administrators may use metacognitive strategies to understand how their school is functioning and to make decisions that are more effective at improving student learning. Additionally, School Administrators can teach metacognitive strategies to teachers and staff to help them become more effective at teaching and supporting students.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Administrator

Educational Psychologist

Educational Psychologists may use metacognitive strategies to understand how students learn and to develop interventions that are more effective at helping students learn. Additionally, Educational Psychologists can teach metacognitive strategies to teachers and parents to help them become more effective at teaching and supporting students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Psychologist

Science Communicator

Science Communicators may use metacognitive strategies to understand how to communicate scientific information to different audiences. Additionally, Science Communicators can teach metacognitive strategies to audiences to help them become more effective at understanding and using scientific information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Communicator

Science Writer

Science Writers may use metacognitive strategies to understand how to communicate scientific information to different audiences. Additionally, Science Writers can teach metacognitive strategies to readers to help them become more effective at understanding and using scientific information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Science Journalist

Science Journalists may use metacognitive strategies to understand how to communicate scientific information to the public. Additionally, Science Journalists can teach metacognitive strategies to readers to help them become more effective at understanding and using scientific information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Journalist

Museum Educator

Museum Educators may use metacognitive strategies to understand how to teach visitors about science. Additionally, Museum Educators can teach metacognitive strategies to visitors to help them become more effective at learning about science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Science Policy Analyst

Science Policy Analysts may use metacognitive strategies to understand how to analyze and interpret scientific information in order to make policy recommendations. Additionally, Science Policy Analysts can teach metacognitive strategies to policymakers to help them become more effective at using scientific information in their decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Analyst

Research Scientist

Research Scientists may use metacognitive strategies to understand how to design and conduct research studies. Additionally, Research Scientists can teach metacognitive strategies to students and colleagues to help them become more effective at conducting research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Education Consultant

Education Consultants may use metacognitive strategies to understand how to improve teaching and learning in schools. Additionally, Education Consultants can teach metacognitive strategies to teachers and administrators to help them become more effective at teaching and leading.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Science Educator

Science Educators may use metacognitive strategies to understand how to teach science to students. Additionally, Science Educators can teach metacognitive strategies to students to help them become more effective at learning science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Educator