Why We matter
What is Metacognition?
Metacognition is commonly called Learning to Learn or Thinking About Thinking. Metacognition is the thinking behind our strategies, including 'which strategy should I choose and why', or 'I need to change strategy because'. I like to think of it as the little voice in your head which helps you guide your cognitive choices, using your knowledge of the task, strategies available and previous successes (and failures).
Why Metacognition?
Half a century of research has shown how much of a positive impact Metacognitive teaching can have.
Research by the Education Endowment Foundation has shown that Metacognitive teaching can boost student attainment by an additional 7 months. This is the second most impactful strategy you can introduce to your teaching.
It only helps the best students?
False. Research has shown that lower attaining students can also benefit as much, if not more, than higher attaining students.
Everybody is Metacognitive, so unless they are taught how to do it well, individuals will always struggle, regardless of whether they are high attaining or low attaining.
Okay, fine, but it doesn't work for all groups...
False (again). Metacognition has been shown to improve the performance of all different ethnic, social, economic and age groups. The methods detailed on this website have worked across the world, for primary children through to adult learners of any age, gender, location and economic status.
This theory really IS that powerful...
It's too complicated for me...
Metacognition IS complicated. That is why this site was produced and free CPD uploaded, to provide teachers with an easy 'in' to the theory and provide them with a large range of strategies and resources to introduce into their teaching straight away.
I do it already...
You already might do, but it never hurts to refine your practise and to gather a few extra resources and strategies to support your practise.
But it isn't that important really...
7 months additional progress for your students over a 12 month period. You really don't want that?
Help Our Cause
Running this site is incredibly expensive. I don't mind about the time it takes, but it does rather drain my pockets! Any donations towards the running costs would be much appreciated. We have kept all videos and resources free to ensure that they are accessible for all. Thank you.
