Episode 34 - How can Teachers Foster Metacognition

In this important episode of my podcast with Ortal Green THE THINKING EFFECT PODCAST I talk to Dr Shyam Barr about the role of metacognition in learning. According to Dr Shyam, metacognition is more than just thinking about thinking. It is also about the ability to regulate and control that thinking. This adds an important future-focused dimension to learning. Indeed, if students master the art of recognising, tracking and controlling their thinking it has the potential to impact their scholastic success, their relationships, their career choices and their life success. When they take charge of their thinking, they take charge of their own behaviour which translates into action. And action is the basis of success.
 
Dr Shyam explains that educators have a key role in alerting students to their thinking patterns. He describes simple ways students can track their focus and attention. He encourages educators to ask questions related to learning content, but more importantly to ask questions that elicit understanding about thinking and learning processes.
A particularly important aspect of this podcast is an internal shift from a place where educators are cueing students in to regulate their thinking, to where students can do it for themselves.
I am sure you will enjoy this conversation and gather some important strategies to enhance your students’ learning and thinking.

Dr Shyam Barr is an education consultant, coach and speaker, who helps educators foster students’ metacognition and self-regulated learning (SRL). He is a co-host of the podcast Educate to Self-Regulate and a recent speaker at TEDx Canberra’s 2022 event – Impact. Shyam has worked in education for over 15 years and has fulfilled roles as a school teacher, educational leader, and Assistant Professor of Learning Sciences at the University of Canberra. His research and school partnerships consider educational leaders and teachers’ knowledge, beliefs and practice related to self-regulated learning, and how innovative models of professional education can bring about sustained improvements in schools.
 
Let me know if you require any further information from me,
 
Shyam Barr, PhD
 
·        Listen to the Educate to Self-Regulate Podcast
·        Download your Educator’s guide “3 biggest obstacles preventing your students from self-regulating their learning and how to overcome them”.
·        For