The role of metacognition in the context of integrated strategy intervention

In the present study, the role of metacognition in the context of integrated strategy intervention was examined. The integrated strategy training in reading comprehension, mathematics, and metacognition was carried out over a period of seven months with young 9–10-years-old, 3rd grade elementary school students with learning problems. A pretest-post test design with matched intervention and control groups was applied. Before the intervention, these students and all their classmates had been followed up through 1st to 3rd grade, and tested with multiple cognitive and metacognitive tasks each year. The results showed that early, 1st grade, cognitive-metacognitive differences were strongly associated with later problem solving and reading comprehension proficiency, thus confirming the importance of reading comprehension strategies and metacognition in mathematical problem solving. Further, marked training effects were found. The growth of metacognitive awareness, experiences and self-regulation were observed on the basis of behaviour analyses during the intervention and of post-intervention interviews. However, despite significant training effects, students who were resistant and those who were responsive to training were identified. The results showed that early metacognitive proficiency is closely associated with the responsiveness to training efforts. The nature of metacognitive experiences and the early teaching of metacognitive awareness and self-regulation are emphasised in the conclusions.     

Socially mediated metacognition and learning to write

Writing can be viewed as a recursive process involving both cognitive and metacognitive processes. Task, environment, individual cognition and affective processes all impact on producing written text. Recent research on the development of metacognition in young children has highlighted social constructivist and socio-cultural factors. Metacognition is seen as facilitated through collaborative tasks and through talk. This study investigated the peer construction of metacognition in 5-7-year-old children engaged on collaborative writing tasks. Six year 1 and year 2 classes were involved in the project (n = 172). 25 h of video observation data, teacher and researcher reflections and structured field notes were analysed qualitatively using ATLAS ti software. The written texts produced in these sessions were analysed using a qualitative content analysis, looking specifically for evidence of the process of text construction and metacognition. The findings provide evidence of young children's ability to engage in metacognitive talk and to use metacognition intentionally in the co-construction of written texts. The relationships between children and their talk partners mediated the effect of pre-determined ability in literacy. Teachers’ direct questioning aimed at reflection on the writing process did not always support metacognitive dialogues. Drawing on recent models of metacognition and writing the paper highlights the role of social factors in developing metacognition and illustrates the ways in which young children negotiate task demands during shared writing tasks.     

An analysis of teachers’ self-reported competencies for teaching metacognition

For successful reading experiences in native and/or foreign/second language, individuals need to benefit from not only cognitive strategies but also metacognitive strategies. Although research found reading comprehension and performance increase following metacognitive trainings, such findings may not transfer into mainstream classrooms as easily for several reasons. This study, therefore, aimed to disseminate the phenomenon of teaching metacognition with an emphasis on teacher’s instrumental role during classroom learning. More specifically, it investigated language instructors’ metacognition and their self-reported competencies for teaching metacognition. It also examined whether and how self-reported competencies changed following a professional development (PD) module of teaching for metacognition. Utilising Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) and think aloud protocols for instructional planning, this study found most participants were either highly metacognitive or metacognitive individuals. It was also found that most participants were initially not knowledgeable about and/or competent in teaching metacognition. Following PD, highly metacognitive teachers developed authentic lesson plans manifesting metacognition instruction while metacognitive teachers adopted similar instructional designs presented during the PD. Besides, half of the participants appreciated teaching metacognitively following the PD. Finally, under the light of these findings, future research and policy adjustments were proposed.     

The role of metacognition in reading‐accuracy learning and instruction

Abstract

Effective metacognition powerfully supports actioning of complex tasks. The complexity of English orthography makes mastery of reading accuracy (word identification) an extremely complex task. At‐risk readers thus are likely to benefit greatly from effective metacognition of reading accuracy. Optimal reading‐accuracy instruction involves development of conceptual, procedural and conditional knowledges, evidenced in concept and skills development, strategy usage and metacognitive actioning. It is considered likely that metacognition of reading accuracy and metacognition of cognitive processing both support reading‐accuracy mastery in children with reading disability. Student metacognition (baseline and learned) and the role of instructional scaffolding as metacognitive supports are considered integral aspects of skill mastery and generalisation. Needs for research on metacognition in reading‐accuracy development are discussed.     

Measures of Children's Knowledge and Regulation of Cognition

Two studies were conducted to investigate measures of children's metacognition. Experiment 1 presented two versions of a self-report inventory, the Jr. MAI, appropriate for assessing metacognition in children in grades 3–9. Factor analyses are interpreted that illustrate how the items measure components of metacognition. Experiment 2 further addressed properties of the two versions and compared the instrument to other inventories, teacher ratings of children's metacognition, and student achievement scores. Findings indicated high correlations between the Jr. MAI and an existing metacognitive problem-solving inventory (Fortunato, Hecht, Tittle, & Alvarez, 1991). Moderate correlations between the Jr. MAI and other self-report instruments of metacognition while reading (Jacobs & Paris, 1987; Schmitt, 1990) and low correlations between the Jr. MAI and teacher ratings of metacognition and overall achievement scores were also found. Gender and grade level differences in metacognition are presented and discussed. The instruments are appended.     

Educational electronic book activity supports language retention among children at risk for learning disabilities

The main purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of an activity with an educational electronic book (e-book) on language retention among children at risk for learning disabilities (LD) (seven weeks after the intervention). Two modes of the educational e-book were investigated: with and without metacognitive guidance. Seventy seven kindergarteners aged 4.5–7 were randomly divided into three groups: (1) reading an e-book which included metacognitive guidance (EBM); (2) reading an e-book which did not include metacognitive guidance (EB); (3) receiving the regular kindergarten program (control). The children’s vocabulary was assessed before the intervention, immediately after the intervention (post 1) and seven weeks later (post 2). Story comprehension was assessed only following the intervention (post 1 and 2). The findings showed a long-term effect of the activity with the e-book on vocabulary. However, for story comprehension, a decrease in recall of words and quotes and an increase in the recall of main ideas from the story were found seven weeks after the activity with the e-book. No significant difference in retention was found between the two intervention groups (with and without metacognitive guidance). The implications of these results for kindergarteners at risk for LD are discussed.     

Metacognition and reading in children who are deaf: a review of the research

The purpose of this article is to review and synthesize the literature linking metacognition and reading in children who are deaf. Although this body of research is sparse, three issues emerge. First, the research implies that current instructional practices used to teach reading to deaf children might actually hinder their development of mature metacognitive knowledge and control. Second, the studies suggest that the low-level reading material typically given to deaf children might not provide the opportunity for them to develop, practice, or use metacognitive strategies. And third, the research shows that deaf students can benefit from metacognitive strategy instruction.     

Self-regulation and metacognition in young children's self-initiated play and Reflective Dialogue

This paper looks at ways in which a group of children aged three–four years exhibited evidence of self-regulation and metacognition. Videotaped episodes of children's activities and audiotaped dialogues between children and practitioners about the activities were analysed using an observational framework. The data here show children of three and four displaying extensive evidence of metacognitive and self-regulatory behaviour, with similar mean levels of frequency across both activities and dialogues. However, whilst the majority of evidence from the activities was of metacognitive regulation and skilfulness, that from the dialogues showed more evidence of metacognitive knowledge. It is also suggested that different social contexts may influence children's opportunities to develop and display self-regulation. The use of video data and opportunities for young children to reflect on their activities are suggested as valuable tools for research and pedagogical purposes, and as an effective means of eliciting young children's perspectives on their lives.     

Bilingual Chinese/English first‐graders developing metacognition about writing

This study investigates metacognitive development of 16 bilingual Chinese/English first‐graders. The researcher analysed the metacognitive utterances produced by the children while they were engaged in the writing task of composing dictated stories. The results suggest that the young bilinguals demonstrated metacognitive abilities and were able to employ metacognitive knowledge during their writing attempts. There is also indication that metacognition is closely connected to these children's ability to compose stories and the qualities of their stories.     

元认知技能与大学英语阅读教学

对元认知理论的内涵进行分析，根据元认知理论三成分概括阅读理解的基本过程；探讨元认知理论在大学英语阅读教学中的应用，在此基础上阐明熟练读者和初学者在阅读理解过程中元认知技能的差异性以及需要解决的问题．从而提出元认知技能有意识的培养方法。     

Collaborative Group Work and Individual Development of Metacognition in the Early Years

This paper tracks the individual development of metacognition in two five year old children over an academic year as they engage in a cognitive acceleration through science education programme CASE@KS1. Using qualitative analysis and case study methods it demonstrates how collaborative group work with small children impacts on the development of their individual metacognitive processing. Important variables that facilitate or hinder this development are teased out and relationships between the groups and the individual are analysed. Difficulties with the concept of metacognition and in particular how to assess and measure it are discussed. A framework of analysis based on verbal interactions is developed from the early theories of metacognition and this is combined with an in-depth grounded analysis. This approach provides insight into what we can mean when we speak of young children being metacognitive.     

Do it this way! Metacognitive strategies in collaborative mathematical problem solving

Recent years have seen increasing interest in the role of metacognition in mathematical problem solving, and in the use of small group work in classroom settings. However, little is known about the nature of secondary students' metacognitive strategy use, and how these strategies are applied when students work together on problems. The study described in this paper investigated the monitoring behaviour of a pair of senior secondary school students as they worked collaboratively on problems in applied mathematics. Analysis of verbal protocols from think aloud problem solving sessions showed that, although the students generally benefited from adopting complementary metacognitive roles, unhelpful social interactions sometimes impeded progress. The findings shed some light on the nature of individual and interactive metacognitive strategy use during collaborative activity.     

元认知策略与英语阅读理解相关研究

大量学者研究证实,元认知的运用成功与否将直接影响外语学习的成效。阅读活动中的元认知研究更是倍受关注。本文作者在国内外相关文献研究的基础上,阐述了元认知策略的内涵和英语阅读的本质,并结合贵州大学英语专业学生的问卷调查及阅读测试,探讨了元认知策略的使用与英语阅读理解能力之间的关系,并对如何在英语阅读中运用元认知策略提出建议。     

非英语专业大学生英语阅读元认知意识培训的研究

文章通过英语阅读课程教学,从元认知知识、元认知体验和元认知调节等三个方面入手对111名大二学生进行了元认知意识的调查及培训,旨在探索建立适合中国大学生特点及认知策略习得一般规律的、切实可行的英语阅读的元认知意识培训模式,以丰富元认知理论,为英语阅读教学提供参考意见。     

元认知及其在外语阅读中的运用

在外语阅读中元认知体现为对阅读活动的认知调节,即阅读监控。阅读监控是在元认知知识、元认知体验和元认知策略的作用和相互作用下进行的,其中,元认知知识和元认知策略起着最为核心的作用,元认知体验不直接参与对阅读活动的调节,只起着桥梁的作用。培养学生的元认知能力有助于提高学生自身的外语阅读水平。     

Parents’ Metacognitive Knowledge: Influences on Parent–Child Interactions in a Science Museum Setting

Despite science learning in settings such as science museums being recognized as important and given increasing attention in science education circles, the investigation of parents’ and their children’s metacognition in such settings is still in its infancy. This is despite an individual’s metacognition being acknowledged as an important influence on their learning within and across contexts. This research investigated parents’ metacognitive procedural and conditional knowledge, a key element of their metacognition, related to (a) what they knew about how they and their children thought and learned, and (b) whether this metacognitive knowledge influenced their interactions with their children during their interaction with a moderately complex simulation in a science museum. Parents reported metacognitive procedural and conditional knowledge regarding their own and their children’s thinking and learning processes. Further, parents were aware that this metacognitive knowledge influenced their interactions with their children, seeing this as appropriate pedagogical action for them within the context of the particular exhibit and its task requirements at the science museum, and for the child involved. These findings have implications for exhibit and activity development within science museum settings.     

第二语言阅读中元认知策略培训的可行性研究

鉴于英语阅读教学的重要性并结合元认知理论,对140名大学一年级新生进行了近一学期的元认知策略培训,了解元认知策略对提高大学生阅读能力的可行性。研究结果表明:元认知策略培训较传统阅读教学模式能更好地促进学生的阅读水平,将策略培训融入课堂教学来培养学生成为自主阅读者是有效途径之一。     

The development of two observational tools for assessing metacognition and self-regulated learning in young children

This paper reports on observational approaches developed within a UK study to the identification and assessment of metacognition and self-regulation in young children in the 3–5 year age range. It is argued that the development of observational tools, although containing methodological difficulties, allows us to make more valid assessments of children’s metacognitive and self-regulatory abilities in this age group. The analysis of 582 metacognitive or self-regulatory videotaped ‘events’ is described, including the development of a coding framework identifying verbal and non-verbal indicators. The construction of an observational instrument, the Children’s Independent Learning Development (CHILD 3–5) checklist, is also reported together with evidence of the reliability with which it can be used by classroom teachers and early indications of its external validity as a measure of metacognition and self-regulation in young children. Given the educational significance of children’s development of metacognitive and self-regulatory skills, it is argued that the development of such an instrument is potentially highly beneficial. The establishment of the metacognitive and self-regulatory capabilities of young children by means of the kinds of observational tools developed within this study also has clear and significant implications for models and theories of metacognition and self-regulation. The paper concludes with a discussion of these implications.

The Development of Metacognitive Knowledge in Children and Adolescents: Major Trends and Implications for Education

ABSTRACT— This article gives an overview of developmental trends in research on metacognition in children and adolescents. Whereas a first wave of studies focused on the assessment of declarative and procedural metacognitive knowledge in schoolchildren and adolescents, a second wave focused on very young children's "theory of mind" (ToM). Findings from a recent longitudinal study are presented that demonstrate developmental links between early ToM and subsequent declarative metacognitive knowledge, mainly mediated by language competencies. The relevant literature further indicates that developmental trends in declarative and procedural metacognitive knowledge clearly differ. Whereas the findings for declarative metacognitive knowledge show steady improvement through childhood and adolescence, mainly due to increases in knowledge about strategies, the results are not similarly clear-cut for procedural metacognition. Age trends observed for this component of metacognition are significant for self-control activities but not pronounced for monitoring abilities. These findings have important implications for education, emphasizing the role of strategy training procedures in different instructional domains and illustrating teachers' potential impact on the improvement of monitoring and control processes.