Metacognition & Mindfulness

By Grace McDonald

EPSE: 604Advanced Topics on Human Development,

Learning and Culture

Definitions & Personal Interests Metacognition

Meta: 1. after, behind; 2. higher, beyond *From the Greek ‘in the midst of’ Metacognition: the ability to understand and monitor one’s own thoughts, assumptions, and implications of one’s activities (Flavell, 1979)

Mindfulness

(1) “A state of mind defined by the volitional, metacognitively guided employment of non-automatic, usually effort demanding processes” Salomon et al., (2) “Mindfulness is the cognitive propensity to be aware of what is happening in the moment without judgment or attachment to any particular outcome” Napoli et al., *The Mindfulness Miscalculation or Paradox

In Their Own Words•  Metamemory•  Theory of Mind

•  The False Beliefs Test A reliable method for understanding ToM development?

•  Domain specific à A deep understanding of disciplinary content

•  Self-as-learner à Constructing awareness as processes e.g. •  task understanding and analysis; SMART goals, adaptive help

seeking; shared regulation; mindfulness; reflection, revising - Video clip: metacognitive thinking for school http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwTefiGixY8&spfreload=10 - Metacognitive Exercise 8-10 mins

Mindfulness •  Guided meditation with Sam Harris, Ph.D. in cognitive

neuroscience from Stanford

•  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwac6Uk-zyk&spfreload=10

•  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM8fDHXXSIs&spfreload=10

Mindful Discussion •  Guiding Questions:

•  How did you feel before? - How do you feel right now?

•  Did your body get fidgety and want to move around?

•  Was it hard or easy for you to focus solely on the breathe?

•  How does this experience differ from your experiences in yoga or other relaxation techniques?

•  When you found your mind wandering, what were you thinking about?

•  Any insights into your thinking patterns/ how your mind behaves?

•  Could this technique of awareness help you in school or work?

•  Would/could your students benefit from meditation?

Setting the Stage

•  You are currently enrolled in a self-regulated learning seminar (amazing), and you have finally found what is missing in your classroom: SRL! Recently, you read a few articles on metacognition and mindfulness and really enjoyed the material and appreciated the benefits of these constructs. After successfully relaying the material to your principal, she/he loves the idea and wants you to speak at the next upcoming educational convention where you will be given the opportunity to change the curriculum policy--no pressure. Your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is as follows: in order for the policy makers to accept your claim of benefits of SRL, metacognition, and mindfulness you must provide them with the following answers: ������(1) What is metacognition and why is it valuable for students? ������(2) What is mindfulness and why is it valuable for students? ������(3) How do these constructs relate to SRL? ������(4) Is it teachable? What types of activities or questions can teachers implement in order to foster their students mindfulness and metacognitive abilities?

What is metacognition and why is it valuable for students?

What is mindfulness and why is it valuable for students?

How do these constructs relate to SRL?

Is it teachable? What types of activities or questions can teachers implement in order to foster their students mindfulness and metacognitive abilities?

Take Home Resources

• Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)

•  Benefits of Meditation

•  Books and Resources