Metacognition is a term that refers to thinking about (or being aware of) how you think. On this page, you will find various tools to help you with this process.
One metacognitive method involves thinking about how you would complete a specific task (planning), asking yourself questions about what you’re doing and why while you’re doing the task (self-monitoring), and asking yourself whether your process made sense after you finish the task (reflection.) These steps together form a cycle that can help you with future tasks. In other words: work smarter, not harder.
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Bloom’s Taxonomy is one way of breaking down different steps or levels of thinking. In theory, these steps form a ladder with “remembering” being the simplest step and “creating” being the most complex. In reality, we move up and down the ladder as we work on various tasks.
MARSI & MAI
The MARSI and MAI are two tests to see what metacognitive strategies you use (and which you could probably use more.) These are useful tools to assess what you already do, and to refer to when you’re working on a task.
MARSI: Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory
MAI: Metacognitive Awareness Inventory
