What is metacognition's relevance in learning?

Metacognition plays a significant role in enhancing the learning process because it involves self-awareness regarding one’s own cognitive processes. This means that learners are not just engaged in the content being studied but are also aware of how they learn, which strategies they are using, and how effective those strategies are. This self-reflection allows learners to evaluate their understanding and adjust their approaches accordingly, leading to improved problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

By encouraging learners to think about their thinking, metacognition enables them to monitor their progress, identify areas of difficulty, and employ more effective study strategies. This heightened awareness and control over one’s learning can drastically improve comprehension and retention of information, facilitating deeper learning and mastery of subjects.