Using Survey Prompts to Promote Metacognition Dr Wendy

Using Survey Prompts to Promote Metacognition Dr. Wendy Schatzberg

What is Metacognition? • Metacognition – Otherwise known as • Thinking about thinking • Knowing about knowing • Understanding about understanding

Why promote metacognition? • Part of the learning process is understanding what is the most effective way for you, the individual, to learn and succeed • Students often haven’t truly explored what are effective study and learning techniques for themselves • There are general techniques for studying – flashcards, problem solving, worksheets – but everyone learns in different ways

What about those “survey prompts”? • Survey prompts • Surveys were put on Surveymonkey for students to complete • The instructors were not allowed to see student responses but were informed of overall trends in responses

Wouldn’t the extra credit change their grade? • Students were rewarded with 2 points extra credit for survey completion – Enough to promote the classwork but in a 1000 point class, not enough to significantly effect their grade

Implementation • A week before and after every exam the students were given a survey to complete • The survey consists of only 2 -3 questions – Before: asks the students what study tactics are they going to use for the exam, how much time they will devote to studying, etc. – After: how did their performance match expectations, what study method worked for them and why, what they will do different next time, etc.

Why would a professor use this method? • Online surveys do not take away from class time • The surveys give knowledge about what classroom material students are using effectively • Better insight into what stage of learning the students are starting out with and evolving

Preliminary Results • Students appear to be more aware of study tactics that suit their individual needs • Students are being more articulate with the types of studying and how much time it takes for them to study • Less comparison between their own study needs and others

Discussion • Results from the Physics and Chemistry courses will be compiled at the end of Spring Semester 2019 • Keyword results and compare to SALG (student assessment of learning gains) and grades to control groups

Future Work • Looking at expanding the research into Physics, Chemistry, and other Physical Science disciplines • If this proves effective this would be a low cost, low effort aid for student success and allow for professors to understand what materials are effective for their specific classes