Metacognition

Metacognition is basically an awareness or knowledge of one's own knowledge, skills, and abilities and how we are able to use this self-awareness in our thinking.

"Thought about thought" - Taking Science to School, p111

Gunstone (1994) - Metacognitive learners are able to better monitor their own learning processes, and therefore are likely to use good learning behaviors.

Metacognition also allows us to determine what skills, strategies, and resources a task requires and how and when to use these to complete a task successfully. In this way, metacognition allows us to effectively problem solve.

Schunk, Dale. (2008) //Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective.// Upper Saddle River: Pearson Merril Prentice Hall. pg 186.