thinking about thinking: metacognition
A woodcutter strained to saw down a tree.
A young man who was watching asked “What are you doing?”
“Are you blind?” the woodcutter replied. “I’m cutting down this tree.”
The young man was unabashed. “You look exhausted! Take a break. Sharpen your saw.”
The woodcutter explained to the young man that he had been sawing for hours and did not have time to take a break.
The young man pushed back… “If you sharpen the saw, you would cut down the tree much faster.”
The woodcutter said: “I don’t have time to sharpen the saw. Don’t you see I’m too busy?”
(Source: Steven Covey)
Most professionals add value by thinking and, over time, they become very efficient at thinking. But, how often do they take time out to reflect, or even question, the nature and processes of their thinking? How often in our busy 24/7 worlds do we take time to metaphorically “sharpen the saw”?
Metacognition in simple terms involves “thinking about how we think”, but it is more than that. Utilising the brain’s amazing capacity for neuroplasticity, metacognition is central to learning and development. It comprises two complementary processes: 1) becoming aware of how we think, and 2) becoming able to regulate how we think to fit the demands of a given situation.
The purpose of this session, which relies on experiential rather than theoretical learning, is to:
Metacognition in simple terms involves “thinking about how we think”, but it is more than that. Utilising the brain’s amazing capacity for neuroplasticity, metacognition is central to learning and development. It comprises two complementary processes: 1) becoming aware of how we think, and 2) becoming able to regulate how we think to fit the demands of a given situation.
The purpose of this session, which relies on experiential rather than theoretical learning, is to:
- provide models and specific tools to enhance metacognitive ability
- allow participants to assess metacognitive awareness as a prelude to action planning
- develop an understanding as to basic structure and functions of the human brain
- alert participants to common flaws and weaknesses inherent in our neural processes.
Presented by Dr Paul McDonald. Please see Pauls bio here.
Format
This session can be held as a half or full day. Please contact us to discuss a full day session.
By way of introduction, the focus of the half day session is as follows:
Understanding brain basics:
Applying the DSRP model
Using metacognition tools and techniques
Assessing personal metacognitive awareness and action next steps
A taste of the content can be seen in the video below:
This session can be held as a half or full day. Please contact us to discuss a full day session.
By way of introduction, the focus of the half day session is as follows:
Understanding brain basics:
- structure, functions and evolution of the human brain
- thinking fast versus thinking slow
- how learning happens.
Applying the DSRP model
- Distinctions.
- Splitters instead of lumpers.
- Relationships.
- Perspectives.
Using metacognition tools and techniques
- awareness tools (before, during and after a thinking challenge
- regulation techniques (planning, monitoring and controlling).
Assessing personal metacognitive awareness and action next steps
- metacognitive awareness inventory
- analysis and so what?
A taste of the content can be seen in the video below: