Metacognition and Cognitive Skills

What strategies can be used to promote metacognitive talk and enhance students’ cognitive skills?

The EEF report^[1]Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) (2018). Metacognition and self-regulated learning guidance report [online]. [Accessed 28 June 2023]. Available at: … Continue reading provides several strategies that can be used to promote metacognitive talk and enhance students’ cognitive skills, such as:

1. Explicit instruction and modelling: Teachers can provide explicit instruction and modelling to help students understand and develop metacognitive skills. By demonstrating and explaining the thinking processes involved in learning, teachers can guide students in becoming more aware of their own cognitive strategies.
2. Classroom dialogue: Classroom dialogue, both between peers and between students and teachers, can be used to develop metacognitive skills. Engaging in purposeful and guided conversations can help students build knowledge and understanding of cognitive and metacognitive strategies.
3. Challenging questions and feedback: Teachers can ask challenging questions, provide oral feedback, and prompt dialogue to guide students in their learning. By encouraging students to think deeply and critically, teachers can help them develop effective learning strategies.
4. Dialogic teaching: Dialogic teaching, as devised by Robin Alexander, emphasises classroom dialogue as a means for students to reason, discuss, argue, and explain. This approach goes beyond the traditional teacher question-pupil response-feedback sequence and encourages higher-quality teacher talk.
5. Teaching strategies for organising classroom talk: Strategies such as Socratic talk, talk partners, and debate can be used to better structure and organise classroom talk and dialogue. These strategies, when appropriately challenging and supported by the teacher, can help develop students’ self-regulation and metacognition.

It is important to note that while these strategies are mentioned in the article, the report does not provide an exhaustive list. Educators are encouraged to explore additional research and resources to further enhance their understanding and implementation of metacognitive strategies in the classroom.

Web resource: Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)

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