Metacognition: Teaching Students to Think About Their Thinking in the IPGCE Curriculum

The International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (IPGCE) program at the University of Derby places a strong emphasis on metacognition, the ability to think about one’s own thinking. This focus aims to equip students with the skills they need for self-directed learning and improved academic performance. This article explores how the IPGCE program incorporates metacognition into its curriculum and prepares educators to teach this crucial skill.

Strategies for Promoting Metacognitive Skills

The IPGCE program employs various strategies to promote metacognitive skills among students. These include activities that encourage self-assessment, reflection, and planning. For example, students may be asked to keep learning journals, engage in peer reviews, or create action plans for upcoming projects. These activities are designed to make students more aware of their own learning processes and how to improve them.

Role of Metacognitive Activities in Fostering Self-Directed Learning

Metacognitive activities play a significant role in the IPGCE curriculum. They are integrated into various subjects and teaching methods to foster self-directed learning. By encouraging students to think about their learning strategies, set goals, and assess their progress, these activities help students take ownership of their education.

Preparing Educators to Teach and Assess Metacognitive Skills

The IPGCE program prepares educators to teach metacognitive skills through specialized training modules. These modules cover various teaching methods that can be used to introduce metacognitive activities in the classroom, as well as ways to assess the effectiveness of these activities. Educators are trained to provide constructive feedback that encourages metacognitive growth.

Significance of Metacognition in Enhancing Learning Outcomes

Metacognition is significant for enhancing learning outcomes and academic performance. Research has shown that students who are aware of their own thinking processes are better able to adapt their learning strategies to different tasks, leading to improved academic results. The IPGCE program, therefore, considers metacognition a key focus in its curriculum.

Inclusion of Metacognition in the IPGCE Curriculum

Metacognition is included as a key focus in the IPGCE curriculum. It is integrated into various subjects and is considered a cross-cutting skill that enhances not only academic performance but also lifelong learning. The program aims to produce educators who can instill these skills in their students, creating more effective and self-directed learners.

In summary, the IPGCE program at the University of Derby recognizes the importance of metacognition in modern education. By integrating metacognitive activities and training educators in this area, the program aims to improve both teaching quality and student learning outcomes.