#58 Metacognition and Inclusion

Hi Everyone 

If you’re based in the UK, and employed in education, then hopefully by now you’re enjoying a relaxing summer break and the sun is shining wherever you are.  

The last 3 issues of the newsletter have been all about helping parents see what they can do at home over the summer to improve their child’s ability to think ‘metacognitively’ in preparation for next term. Reports are indicating that the effects of the pandemic are still with us, and that even more children and young people are struggling to engage effectively with learning in school than ever before. 

Supporting all students to rise above expectations has always been a driving force for me, especially those who face barriers to learning, whether they're the more obvious learning difficulties, or hidden issues that are not always so obvious. That’s why I created my Learner Success Pathway, which is based in metacognition (without referring to it), to guide subtle changes in students’ thought processes which enable them to think differently.

If you're a teacher, unfortunately my Learner Success Pathway materials are not available to you, just because they would use up too much of your precious time in the classroom. (I do train support staff to use these on a one to one basis with learners who have been identified as needing something extra.) Teachers need something different to support the development of metacognition directly in the classroom with all learners. 

I'm therefore really excited to be invited by Bloomsbury Education to write a book about metacognition and inclusion. Only the most able students use metacognition as a default process, but that leaves the majority of learners ill equipped for the expectations laid upon them to grasp a wide and varied curriculum. Exam results make a difference to what happens next for young people, and so does a lack of self-esteem from feeling a sense of failure. 

We can increase the number of learners who can rise to that challenge, by supporting all learners to develop and grow their metacognitive abilities. I recommend that this is achieved in the classroom whilst teaching the curriculum with no reference to the word metacognition. Students don’t need to know what it’s called, no more than we refer them to their natural ‘cognitive’ abilities as a way to help them understand new concepts. 

Metacognition is a vital life skill (a major component of successful decision making) and can be developed organically in a classroom over time with only minor changes to lesson planning and classroom practice. I invite all of you who teach, to consider the massive impact this could have on the educational and future life chances of all your students. Yes, ALL of your students, including those about whom you have the most concern! 

With staffing and budget constraints causing complaints about how some learners with extra needs are not receiving the support they’re entitled to, wouldn’t it ease the pressure somewhat if those learners could be more readily catered for in the classroom? Well, that’s one of the less recognised outcomes of creating a metacognitive classroom. 

If you don’t want to wait until 2025 (when the book is due to be published) there’s a much quicker way to learn more about how to develop metacognition in an inclusive way whilst teaching the curriculum. Keep in mind that metacognition is all about what’s going on inside your learners’ heads. It’s not a strategy that you can pick up off your desk and apply from the outside.  

You’re probably already doing a lot of the right things and only need to make a few tweaks over time in order to improve your students’ ability to think for themselves and work more independently. Metacognition is all about learners taking responsibility for their own progress because they’re confident that they have the ability to do so. 

Showing teachers how to make this happen, is the topic of a 3hour on-line Masterclass that I usually run during term time. However, due to several requests regarding a more suitable time for teachers living other countries, or problems with providing ‘cover’ in order to attend during the school day, I will be running a one-off summer special for teachers who are happy to invest in their own professional development. 

‘Classroom Practice that Supports Metacognition’ is divided into 3 sections; 1) Inside the Learner's Head, 2) Creating the Right Environment, and 3) Teaching Practice and Metacognition. 

This extra session takes place on Wed Aug 30th from 6pm-9pm and you are invited to be there for a rather special price. 

I would love you to join me if the idea of being able to develop metacognition in your learners in a natural and organic way (without deviating from the curriculum and without them realising what you’re doing) appeals to you. Numbers are purposefully limited because I’m offering this session at half the usual price (only £97 for a 3hour value packed intensive), for those of you who share my vision of improving well-being and academic progress for all students. 

If that’s you, then please e-mail me; success@lizkeable.com for more details, but don’t leave it too long in case the places fill up. (The cost will go back up to £197 in September and is only £97 for this one-off event). 

Take care till next time.

Warm regards

Liz