Are you looking to improve your career prospects by taking a certification course or getting a second degree? Studying is important for achieving this. Research shows that strategies for improved studying often rely on improved active listening techniques. To improve active listening, teachers must prepare students for processing the information by maintaining attention through engagement. Putting all of this together involves the metacognitive process of TQLR, which stands for tuning in, questioning, listening, and reviewing. For older students, a similar process of PQ4R is used, which includes previewing, questioning, reading, reciting, reviewing, and reflecting. Here are some ideas for engaging in metacognition for improved study habits.

Activate Prior Knowledge

Preview the topic before you begin to read or listen to a lesson. Ask yourself the following questions to create context, build a framework for the new knowledge, and engage with the upcoming material.

· What do you already know about the topic?

· What questions do you have?

· What do you hope to learn?

Listen Actively

Take notes while you are listening or reading. Instead of writing down every word or chunk of information, read a section or listen for a few minutes and then summarize. Jot down questions when you encounter information that is unclear or that you want to learn more about. Jot down connections that help to trigger prior knowledge and engage deeper.

Ask Questions

Asking self-reflective questions is a solid metacognitive technique. Here are some suggested questions:

· What useful strategy did I use to solve this problem?

· How does this information relate to or conflict with prior knowledge?

· Does this answer make sense in context with the provided information?

· How are these concepts related?

· What conclusions can I reach?

Organize Your Thoughts

The use of concept mapping can help to visualize the material and find connections between the learning concepts. Concept maps are particularly useful for visual learners, although they can benefit anyone. A powerful study strategy, concept maps can help students see the big picture by starting with high-level concepts and chunking information based on connections. Here are some examples of concept maps:

· Charts

· Flowcharts

· Graphic organizers

· Tables

· T-charts

· Timelines

· Venn diagrams

Write

Writing can help identify what you have learned and what you still don't know, in addition to identifying methods of thinking for concepts studied. Making a list of what you know and what questions you still have about objectives will help determine your current level of mastery.

Test Yourself

The instructor's test should not be the first time you assess your knowledge of the material. Self-testing should be standard practice in study protocol for understanding what information is known and what is not. Flashcards, creating practice tests administered by a partner, or online assessments are useful self-testing methods to implement.

Metacognition is essential for improving student study skills and to establish intentional and thoughtful processes, including thinking about the learning, active listening, questioning, and reviewing. Explore WPS to learn more about cost-effective ways to identify and target poor learning strategies.

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Study Strategies: Improving Metacognition To Facilitate Learning