Page 326 - Learning to Learn

READING EXPERIENCE 11: METACOGNITION: THINKING ABOUT MY THINKING
326 L EARNING TO LEARN: BECOMING A SELF-GROWER
Techniques for Improving Learning
Make sure that the cornerstones to learning are in place.
There are many ways to make sure that these foundational blocks of information are in place. Ask
directed questions that require you to link personal experiences, prior knowledge, informational
readings, or key aspects of examples that are provided. Use a reading log or reading quiz to assess
your preparedness for learning. Before participating in a discussion, ask yourself a couple of inquiry
questions or summarize what you understand about the concept. Finally, inventory what you think the
key cornerstones are for this learning exercise.
Connect to previous knowledge by inventorying learner experience.
Conduct a learning assessment survey to determine your level of content knowledge, engage in
tasks that will reveal your preconceptions, and work to organize your preexisting understanding into
conceptual frameworks, such as can be demonstrated with a concept map.
Discipline the process.
The most efficient and least frustrating learning occurs with a step-by-step process. This can be
facilitated by testing understanding and judging when you can move to the next step. Be prepared to
move back a level if the knowledge structure is not strong enough to add the next “floor.”
Test the robustness of understanding with critical thinking questions.
Step 4 requires that learners test the quality of their own learning before going to application. Is the
frame strong enough?
Develop learner participation.
Ultimately, students must take control of their own learning and monitor their own learning progress.
A powerful metacognitive strategy is for students to track their progress and use reflective essays to
ask and answer their own critical thinking questions.
Understand the knowledge forms.
Use the descriptions and guidance in Table 1 to clarify and assess your current understanding and
performance level.
Generalize understanding.
Write a paragraph about applying your knowledge in a familiar context, then another paragraph
about applying your knowledge in an unfamiliar context, and finally a paragraph that generalizes
your knowledge by describing similarities and differences between the two contexts and identifying
common underlying principles.
Transfer knowledge to a far context.
For example, after learning about using oil in a familiar context, like a door hinge, and a slightly less
familiar context, like a riding lawn mower, discuss how an airplane pilot might monitor the oil in the
jet engines of an airliner to ensure that the engines operate efficiently in flight.
Motivate and inspire your own learning while maintaining high expectations.
Persistence to achieve learning goals is clearly affected by the student’s motivation to learn. Pay close
attention to the first five steps in the LPM to ensure that you understand and are committed to the