Metacognition involves "thinking about thinking." In this seminar course, we will discuss important papers in the field, looking at metacognition as a cognitive and social process, and as knowledge students have about the ways they work. The readings and discussion will emphasize how metacognition contributes to learning in the classroom and how educators can improve their students' metacognitive skill.

From its early days in the 1970s, the field has developed from the study of memory using an information-processing framework to its current state of complexity. We will contrast information-processing and sociocultural theories and methods, metacognition applied to cognition and affect, and descriptive vs explanatory views of metacognitive development.

Before enrolling in this course, you should have taken EDPSY 501 or an equivalent graduate or upper-division course on learning or cognition.

Readings are available on-line through the library. Most readings can be found using the research database PSYCINFO. For chapters, you can download a copy for personal use from library e-reserves.  To see the schedule of assigned readings, click on the link on the left side of this page.

Please read assigned readings before coming to class. As a seminar, our success depends on members coming to class prepared to question, discuss, compare, and critique the readings.

For the Grading Policy, please click on the link here or in the navigation bar to the left.

If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924 (V/TTY). If you have a letter from Disabled Student Services indicating you have a disability that requires academic accommodations, please present the letter to me or to Kent Jewell, Area Secretary in Educational Psychology, to discuss the accommodation you might need for class.

If you have concerns about this course, please see me as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable talking with me, or not satisfied with the response you receive, you may contact Prof. Bob Abbott, Chair of Educational Psychology, in 312 Miller Hall, at 616-6308 or abbottr@u.washington.edu. If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive, you may contact Prof. Tom Stritikus, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, in 206 Miller Hall, or by email at tstrit@u.washington.edu.