Workshops on Metacognition for Skillful Learning

Guest Post by Stacy Tantum, Bell-Rhodes Associate Professor of the Practice of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Have you ever wondered what you can do to support students in becoming more effective and efficient learners – more skillful learners? Many students employ learning and studying strategies that evolved over time based on what worked well for them in previous learning contexts, but strategies that worked well for them in the past may not be effective now or in the future. Metacognition, “knowing about and regulating our thinking,” provides a framework for thinking about our thinking that can help improve both learning and problem solving. When students apply a metacognitive framework they may be able to learn more effectively and efficiently with greater retention, which can in turn lead to less stress and anxiety surrounding the learning process.

The Pratt Engineering Education Resource (PEER) Team is hosting a workshop series for current and aspiring faculty on integrating metacognitive concepts and frameworks in our courses, presented by Dr. Patrick Cunningham (Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology), Dr. Holly Matusovich (Associate Professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech), and Dr. Rachel McCord (Lecturer and Research Assistant Professor of Engineering Fundamentals at The University of Tennessee). The workshop presenters also maintain the Skillful Learning website (skillful-learning.org) to share their research and work in metacognition.

The upcoming workshop sessions are:

Promoting Skillful Learning: What Is Metacognition and Where To Start with Students?
Mon Dec 9, 11am-12:30pm
This workshop is designed for current and aspiring faculty and will provide an overview of the theory and background of metacognition.  (Virtual attendance via Zoom is available.)
https://duke.libcal.com/event/5984484

Promoting Skillful Learning: Designing Activities for Metacognitive Growth.
Mon Jan 6, 9am-1pm
This workshop is designed for current and aspiring faculty and will focus on developing course materials that engage students in metacognitive processes.  We anticipate that at the conclusion of this workshop participants will have designed a metacognitive activity for one of their courses.
https://duke.libcal.com/event/6074671

Promoting Skillful Learning: Designing Activities for Metacognitive Growth (follow-up).
Mon Jan 6, 3pm-4:30pm
This follow-up session to the morning January 6th session is an opportunity for individual consultations with the workshop presenters on individual plans/drafts of materials you would like to use with students in your class(es).

Promoting Skillful Learning: Addressing Context, Barriers, and Challenges.
Tue Jan 7, 9am-11:30am
This workshop is designed for current and aspiring faculty and will discuss how to overcome potential challenges you may face when integrating metacognitive activities into your course(s).
https://duke.libcal.com/event/6074733

Promoting Skillful Learning: What Is Metacognition and Why Should I Care?
Tue Jan 7, 12pm-1:30pm
This workshop is designed for students at all levels, undergraduate through PhD, and will provide an overview of how to apply metacognitive frameworks to become a more skillful learner.
https://duke.libcal.com/event/5984529