Contexts for Learning ~ Quality Learning and Metacognition

Bloom's Taxomony

Quality learning is the total experience ‘not just what happens in the traditional classroom-that shapes their [students] judgements of quality, promotes retention and engages them in productive learning’ (Radloff, 2008, p. 1) and can be achieved through individualised teaching that draws on all levels of engagement and cognitive skills. Metacognition is the ‘knowledge about the operations of cognition and Rowto use them to achieve a learning goal’ (Snowman, Dobozy, Scevak, Bryer, Bartleft, & Biehler, 2009, p. 279). Bloom’s taxonomy refers to Metacognition as higher and lower order thinking that contains 6 levels of thinking. De Bono’s six thinking hats; White hat, Green hat, Black hat, Yellow hat, Red hat and Blue hat, are a concept that ‘aims to facilitate creative and productive thinking and more structured decision-making’ (RIC Publications , 2006, p. 18). These thinking hats are seen in classrooms across the world but are also used in businesses.

De Bono's Thinking Hats

As a learner I have experienced quality learning when learning how to scull in rowing. The environment was supportive whilst encouraging me to gain independence in order to develop smooth effortless strokes. KB, my coach used different teaching styles for each rower to ensure the message was easily understandable for all of us. These different teaching styles meant that my learning experience was tailored for a rower who had never tried sculling before. It was this tailoring of the teaching that meant that I was able to quickly learn how to scull but also how not to fall into the water. Therefore quality learning surrounds everyday life and sometimes we don’t even realise it. Metacognition has been used when developing reflective diary entries for Year 12 English where we had to explain our different levels of thinking and development of ideas for essays.