Metacognition And The Learner

INSTRUCTORS:

Estelle Brettenny

Occupational Therapist

Metacognition and the Learner

Points: 6 CPD POINTS

A professional (and personal) journey of explicit cognitive education for more than two decades has highlighted the following aspects to the presenter:

• There are a growing number of learners that struggle academically or lack effective skills to cope academically;
• A large percentage of learners receive extra lessons, go for therapies, have tutors, see psychologists, or take medication;
• Parents spend large sums of money on “extra help” BUT many parents cannot afford to do this;
• Learners often depend on extra lessons/tutors and became passive learners instead of developing independent learning skills, better thinking skills and strategies;
• Educators do not always have “growth mindsets”, do not always believe that they can make a difference or do not equip learners with better skills;
• There are many hidden context, curriculum/task and learning material barriers that block thinking and learning;
• Many educators, tutors, parents and therapists lack understanding, knowledge and skills re the ‘hidden needs of learning’ and how to support learners re these needs;
• Limited, if any, attention is given to the development of processes & strategies for effective learning and thinking to occur and thousands of learners leave school without effective metacognitive skills

This presentation/workshop will aim to provide participants with an understanding of what metacognition is, how to develop metacognitive skills and how to provide metacognitive support. We can all make a contribution towards/or change the way in which children of all ages think and learn; the way our teachers teach; the way our parents support their children at home; and in the way we manage ourselves and our own health for optimal functioning so that we can improve the health and “broken brains” of our children.