What does the term "metacognition" mean?

The term "metacognition" refers to the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. It encompasses the skills and strategies that individuals use to monitor, evaluate, and regulate their cognitive activities. This means that someone who is engaged in metacognition is not only aware of what they know and do not know but also can reflect on their thinking strategies and adjust them as needed for better learning outcomes.

This concept is crucial in education as it empowers students to take control of their learning by planning how to approach a task, monitoring their comprehension during the process, and assessing their understanding after completing a task. By developing metacognitive skills, students can enhance their problem-solving abilities and become more effective and independent learners.