Better Learning through Better Thinking: Developing Students' Metacognitive Abilities

Abstract

How well students perform in college is closely related to how much effort they put forth in their academic work. While this may seem axiomatic, many students, not always aware of the different approaches to studying, come to hold mistaken beliefs about the learning process, thus depriving themselves of the opportunity to reason out their difficulties and discover their capabilities. This article explores how students, through developing their metacognitive skills, can examine their misconceptions about learning and, in doing so, begin to acquire new habits of thoughts and qualities of mind which will enable them to become autonomous learners.

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Correction/Clarification to Taylor (1999)

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shawn Taylor

Shawn Taylor, Ed.D., received his doctorate in history and philosophy of education at Rutgers Graduate School of Education, New Jersey. He serves as Learning Specialist and Tutor Coordinator for the Learning Resource Center, Rutgers Newark Campus.