"Drive Your Brain" Did you know that one of the most popular studying habits of students - rereading and highlighting - is one of the most ineffective (Turner, 1992)? We designed all of the activities in this course around how a person actually learns

"Drive Your Brain"

Did you know that one of the most popular studying habits of students - rereading and highlighting - is one of the most ineffective (Turner, 1992)? We designed all of the activities in this course around how a person actually learns. So, start your brain and put it in gear.

Metacognition is thinking about thinking. In other words, it is awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes.  

Throughout this course, you will be asked to pause and take a metacognitive moment. Based on research conducted at Harvard, known as Project Zero, (Links to an external site.) good thinkers are in the habit of observing, analyzing, and questioning.

To do this, you should: 

• Be open-minded; 
• Ask questions and identify your confusion; 
• Seek justification in support and to counter a claim; 
• Identify implications for the information;  
• Make connections with other things that you know; and 
• Observe patterns in your thinking. 

There are no right or wrong answers, so do NOT spend time looking up the definition of research methods. The purpose of this activity is for you to think about what you already may or may not know about the topic of research methods and to give your instructor insight into your current understanding of research methods. 

This is also your opportunity to ask any pre-existing questions you may have about something you know about research methods. 

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Week 1:

For the first metacognitive activity define what "research methods" means to you, in your own words. Think about it in regards to your own discipline. You should write down whatever comes to mind.

Week 2:

Now that you have a better understanding of what research methods is, reflect on what you wrote at the beginning of this module. 

• How has your understanding changed?
• Provide an example of how research methods applies in your discipline. 
• How might you be able to use what you learned in this course in your life, personally and/or professionally? 
• Do you have lingering questions or need clarification on anything that has been covered in this module? This is a great opportunity to ask, so be sure you do!? 

Post your response in the discussion thread below. This conversation is  between only you and your instructor. 

All Metacognitive Moments combined are 5% of your final course grade.