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Thinking Matters: Research Roundup on Metacognition and Independent Learning:

Thinking Matters: Research Roundup on Metacognition and Independent Learning

The Meta-Learner: Independent Thinkers & Learners


Thinking strategies to help learning
Metacognition and Thinking strategies to help learning

'Is there a benefit to doing press ups on your knees?'

That's the question used by Daniel Willingham explaining to students how they might improve their cognitive and metacognitive ‘work outs' in his new book.

Outsmart Your Brain
‘Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make it Easy’




Metacognition and Thinking: Study like a Champ
Metacognition and Thinking: Study like a Champ


Equally well timed for the start of the revision and study skills season is John Dunlosky's

‘Study Like a Champ’



For those who’d like a taster of Willingham’s book then Edutopia has done a useful article which highlights that if you want to embed study skills so that they can be deployed effectively for secondary exams - then start introducing them in primary. Read more...

Adventures in Metacognition
Adventures in Metacognition

Thank goodness for

Adventures in Metacognition!

Helping you to explore the Science of Learning with your learners: Lesson plans and resources that help pupils and teachers learn about cognition, metacognition and the way we learn. Find out more...

Metacognition and Thinking: Study Skills
Metacognition and Thinking: Study Skills

Whilst on the topic of exam preparation - boosting metacognition: for those who prepare learners for the 11+ and pre-tests you may be interested in a new study which suggests classroom activities rich in spatial reasoning also improve student’s verbal reasoning skills. 

Read more...


Mapping by Measuring Motivation


The need for independent revision brings with it concerns around student motivation as well as skills in metacognition. So it was interesting to read this study, suggesting that individuals who regularly reflect on their levels of motivation become more motivated.

Motivating by Measuring Motivation? Examining Reactivity in a Diary Study on Student Motivation

The hypothesis being that reflection may result in changes in behaviour that improve learning. If true, then the obvious next question would be - how do you easily allow learners to measure their motivation levels? The answer - Motivational Maps

Motivation Mapping
Metacognition and Thinking and Motivation

Motivational Maps

If you’re worried about the levels of motivation in one of your learners, then offer them a free Motivational Map on us. They offer a great framework to boost motivation and the benefits which flow from that.


Claim your Free Motivational map for one of your learners:

Contact us to claim your Free Youth Motivational Map


A.I. in the Metacognitive Classroom


What place does Chat GPT have in the metacognitive classroom and are AI robots actually a positive for assessment?

Metacognition in the Classroom: AI
Metacognition in the Classroom: AI

This month’s look at news in the world of metacognition and self regulation wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the impact of Chat GPT. If we were to highlight any amongst the many thought- pieces out there then it would be our own Arabella Northey’s blog looking at what AI means for the metacognitive classroom.

Read more...


Metacognition and Thinking: Assessment
Metacognition and Thinking: Assessment

And also a fascinating thought piece from Daisy Christodoulou who looks at the rise of ChatGPT being a positive around the purpose of assessment i.e. that assessment should never be about the product (robots have been able to deliver better product than humans for a long time) but should always be about be the process i.e. assessing the understanding, thinking and learning that has gone into creating the product. 

'If we are setting assessments that a robot can complete, what does that say about our assessments?'

- Daisy Christodoulou


We hope you enjoyed these snippets on metacognition and thinking. We'll have more next month.

Explore your next steps in developing 'meta' learners:

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Metacognition and Thinking: Festival of Metacognition
Metacognition and Thinking: Festival of Metacognition






Monday 12th June 2023 

The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, B7 4BL

NOOK YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKET & FIND OUT MORE...

Festival of Metacognition 2023