What does metacognition refer to?

Metacognition refers to the awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes. It involves reflecting on how one thinks, learns, and understands concepts. By engaging in metacognition, individuals can monitor and regulate their cognitive strategies and skills, leading to improved learning and problem-solving abilities. This self-awareness allows learners to identify what they know, recognize gaps in their knowledge, and adjust their approaches to learning tasks accordingly.

The other options, while related to educational contexts, do not capture the essence of metacognition. Learning new concepts pertains to acquiring knowledge, skills for social interaction focus on interpersonal communication abilities, and strategies for classroom management are techniques teachers use to maintain a productive learning environment. None of these options reflect the introspective aspect of thinking about one’s own thinking, which is the core of metacognitive processes.