5 Reasons Why Metacognition is the New “Meta” in Learning

[MarisaBluestone]

What if the secret to better grades isn’t studying harder—but thinking smarter?

Most students spend hours studying, but what if they could get better results by simply changing how they think? That’s where metacognition—the science of thinking about thinking—comes in. Research shows that students who reflect on their learning can improve their grades by 10 percentage points, yet many don’t do it naturally.

In the latest episode of The What & Who of Edu, we dig into metacognition’s impact on learning and share simple ways to bring it into the classroom. But before you hit play, here are five surprising things you might not know about metacognition.

Most students think they understand more than they actually do

Ever had a student say, “I got this!” only to bomb the test? Research shows that students tend to overestimate their understanding—a classic case of the Dunning-Kruger effect in action. Metacognition helps bridge the gap between thinking you know something and actually knowing it. 👉 Want to help students see their blind spots? We break down how you can in the podcast.

It’s been around for centuries ... long before the term existed

Speaking of misconceptions, did you know metacognition has been around for centuries? Metacognition might sound like a buzzword, but Socrates was using it in his teaching long before it had a name. The Socratic method, asking deep, reflective questions, was an early form of metacognitive practice, forcing students to evaluate their own thinking rather than just absorb information.📜 In the podcast, we explore how John Flavell officially coined the term in the 1970s and why it’s more relevant than ever today.

A simple habit can boost scores by 10 percentage points

One of the most compelling studies we discussed in the podcast found that students who regularly reflected on their learning (using Goal-Setting and Reflection Surveys) saw their grades increase by a full letter grade. Just a few minutes of structured reflection can make a real difference.📊 The research backs it up—listen in for the details!

Self-explanation might be the ultimate learning hack

Want students to retain information longer? Have them explain it to themselves. Studies show that students who talk through their problem-solving process understand concepts more deeply and apply them better in new situations. ✍️ We share easy self-explanation exercises you can try in class—get the details in the episode!

AI could take metacognition to the next level

Traditional strategies like reflection and self-explanation are powerful, but AI-driven tools could supercharge metacognitive growth. Imagine real-time feedback that helps students adjust their strategies as they learn. 🤖 Curious about the future of metacognition? We explore what’s next in the episode!

TLDR: Metacognition isn’t just a theory—it’s a proven strategy that can help students become more independent, confident learners.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode about why metacognition is so meta on The What & Who of Edu now: Apple |  Spotify