Providing Choices for Metacognitive Learning

Connor PrattArts Specialization

Dr. Lillian PailenFall 2012

Key Terms

Cognition: our internal processing of information

Metacognition: a higher level thinking which involves active control over the cognitive processes engaged in learning

Reflection: inward directed activity which reinforces the ownership of the individual’s personal learning strategies and intentional behaviors

Let Me Learn: A system developed by Dr. Christine Johnson enabling students to determine their individual learning patterns

Key Terms

LCI: “Learning Connections Inventory”: an instrument used to identify an individual’s combination of learning patterns

Sequential

Precise

Technical

Confluent

Introduction

Problem

Students are not given enough different opportunities to demonstrate their learning, nor are they being provided appropriate aid to better understand themselves as learners.

Question

Does providing choices for students to express understanding of content aid in their ability to be metacognitive about their learning?

Literature ReviewMetacognition

Livingston (1997): The importance of studying metacognitive development in order to determine how students can be taught to better apply their cognitive resources

Providing Students with Choices

Erwin (2004): Diverse student populations should be taken into account as students are provided with choices.

Patall, Cooper, & Wynn (2010): Providing choices increases student interest, engagement, and learning; students spend more time on tasks if they are offered choices; helps build other important skills such as self-regulation

Reflection

Osterman & Kottkamp (2004): Reflection emphasizes thought and action as an integral processes but extends beyond to consider how context and culture shape both thought and action.

Brunner (1994): Reflective activity involves wondering, doubting, and questioning.

Literature ReviewTheories/Systems

Let me learn basics (2010): The Let me Learn process gives the learner ownership of his learning in order to become a life long learner.

Gardner (2006): Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Arts in the Elementary Classroom

Goldberg (2012): Art as “fundamental to human development, expression, and communication”

Koster (2001): Art as a language

Research Question

Does providing choices for students to express understanding of

content aid in their ability to be metacognitive about their learning?

MethodologySetting and Participants

Setting

An Elementary School in Spotsylvania, VA.

Fifth Grade Classroom

Participants

25 Fifth Grade students

9 students, from various academic levels, chosen randomly from each category (high, average, and low)

2 Fifth Grade teachers, Mrs. D & Mr. M

MethodologyProcedures

January through March

Complete LCI (Learning Connections Inventory)

Weekly participation in stations, (at least one of which includes a choice in the arts) followed by reflection entries in “Learning Logs”

LCI: Learning Connections Inventory Example

MethodologyData Collection

Student LCIs (Learning Connections Inventory)

Teacher interviews (pre & post intervention)

Student interviews (mid & post intervention)

Writing/art station samples in Learning Logs

Student reflection writing samples in Learning Logs

ReferencesBrunner, D. D. (1994). Inquiry and reflection: Framing narrative practice in education. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

Erwin, J. C. (2004). The classroom of choice: Giving students what they need and getting what you want. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Deve.

Garder, H. (2006). Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons. New York, NY: Basic Books.

Goldberg, M. (2012). Arts integration: Teaching subject matter through the arts in multicultural settings (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Koster, J. B. (2001). Bringing art into the elementary classroom. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Let me learn basics [Powerpoint slides]. (2010). Retrieved December 9, 2012, from http://www.letmelearn.org/media/powerpoints/

Let me learn glossary. (2008). Retrieved December 9, 2012, from http://letmelearn.org/about/ glossary/

Livingston, J. A. (1997). Metacognition: An overview. Retrieved December 9, 2012, from http:// gse.buffalo.edu/fas/shuell/cep564/metacog.htm

Osterman, K. F., & Kottkamp, R. B. (2004). Reflective practice for educators: Professional development to improve student learning (2nd ed.), Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Patall, E. A., Cooper, H., Wynn, S. R. (2010). The effectiveness and relative importance of choice in the classroom. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102 (4), 896-915. doi:10.1037/a0019545

Questions

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