What does metacognition refer to?

Metacognition refers to the process of thinking about one’s own thinking. It involves self-awareness and self-regulation regarding how one learns, understands, remembers, and applies knowledge. This concept encompasses skills such as planning, monitoring one’s own comprehension, and evaluating the effectiveness of various learning strategies. By engaging in metacognitive practices, learners can become more aware of their cognitive processes and improve their ability to learn and solve problems effectively.

This concept does not involve thinking about the thoughts of others, which is a different cognitive process related to social understanding. Similarly, while learning through experience and passive information processing are important aspects of education, they do not specifically capture the essence of metacognition, which is centered on one's internal cognitive processes and awareness.