Metacognition Self-Directed Project
The second unit in the skills for life class was all about the mind and how learning takes place. The unit began with an exploration of the brain and how it develops through different stages of life. Next, the students learned about neuroplasticity and the benefits of having a growth mindset. After this, we learn a bit of cognitive theory and how the brain stores and adapts knowledge. We concluded with the theory of metacognition, focusing on strategies that students can use to become more metacognitive thinkers. Research has shown that teaching students how the skills of metacognitive thinking can create significant learning benefits across disciplines. As you can see to the right, the process of metacognition includes planning what to learn and how to learn it, monitoring the process and making changes as necessary and then evaluating their work so they can make adjustments when faced with a similar task in the future. At each step in the process, self-awareness and reflection is essential.
The following are a links to some of the best projects as featured in the student's Electronic Portfolios. Since the project is about the process of learning, the students were allowed to choose their own topic and decide between pursuing conceptual knowledge or procedural knowledge. The primary focus is on planning, monitoring and reflecting, and documenting evidence of their learning process. Its not about what to learn, it's how to learn - a skill that is transferable to any discipline.
Punch - Procedural knowledge, learning how to crochet: http://phimlaphas.weebly.com/skill-for-life.html
Pin - Conceptual knowledge, the philosophy of Buddhism: http://pinnn.weebly.com/self-development-project.html
Earn - Procedural knowledge, floral arrangements: http://earnearnn.weebly.com/grade-11---learning-project.html
Tonhom - Procedural knowledge, composing original music using 'Garage Band' software: http://pimpatrapunt.weebly.com/skills-for-life
Orm - Procedural knowledge, improved singing skills: http://ormnapasorn.weebly.com/learning-project.html
Sam - Procedural knowledge, writing an academic essay: http://bozhangcn.weebly.com/skill-for-life
Pea - Conceptual knowledge, Politics in Thailand: pearutchkuv.weebly.com/self-directed-learning-project.html
Minnie - Conceptual knowledge - Is Humanity Insane?: http://mminnieee.wixsite.com/kompliziertegedanken/skills-for-life-1
Cherry - Conceptual / Procedural knowledge - how to strengthen a friendship: http://cherrkong.wixsite.com/siriwanf/skills-for-life
Mint - Procedural knowledge - creating surrealist art: https://mintsirikorn08.wixsite.com/surrealismart
Kelly - Conceptual knowledge - Reincarnation: http://mutsunokami.weebly.com/self-directed-project.html
Torfon - Procedural knowledge - embroidery: http://torfontf.wixsite.com/torfonmuids/single-post/2017/02/09/Embroidery-by-Torfon
Mild - Procedural knowledge - creating stuffed animals: http://mmildmilds.weebly.com/skills-for-life.html
Ploy - Procedural / Conceptual knowledge - fashion design: http://ploymhn.weebly.com/self-directed-learning-project.html
Punch - Procedural knowledge, learning how to crochet: http://phimlaphas.weebly.com/skill-for-life.html
Pin - Conceptual knowledge, the philosophy of Buddhism: http://pinnn.weebly.com/self-development-project.html
Earn - Procedural knowledge, floral arrangements: http://earnearnn.weebly.com/grade-11---learning-project.html
Tonhom - Procedural knowledge, composing original music using 'Garage Band' software: http://pimpatrapunt.weebly.com/skills-for-life
Orm - Procedural knowledge, improved singing skills: http://ormnapasorn.weebly.com/learning-project.html
Sam - Procedural knowledge, writing an academic essay: http://bozhangcn.weebly.com/skill-for-life
Pea - Conceptual knowledge, Politics in Thailand: pearutchkuv.weebly.com/self-directed-learning-project.html
Minnie - Conceptual knowledge - Is Humanity Insane?: http://mminnieee.wixsite.com/kompliziertegedanken/skills-for-life-1
Cherry - Conceptual / Procedural knowledge - how to strengthen a friendship: http://cherrkong.wixsite.com/siriwanf/skills-for-life
Mint - Procedural knowledge - creating surrealist art: https://mintsirikorn08.wixsite.com/surrealismart
Kelly - Conceptual knowledge - Reincarnation: http://mutsunokami.weebly.com/self-directed-project.html
Torfon - Procedural knowledge - embroidery: http://torfontf.wixsite.com/torfonmuids/single-post/2017/02/09/Embroidery-by-Torfon
Mild - Procedural knowledge - creating stuffed animals: http://mmildmilds.weebly.com/skills-for-life.html
Ploy - Procedural / Conceptual knowledge - fashion design: http://ploymhn.weebly.com/self-directed-learning-project.html
Below is the Project Guide for the Unit 2 Self Directed Project as well as the rubric used to score the students work.