Metacognitive tools

When I was I visiting scholar at Cornell University, I wrote an article, in which I presented three improved metacognitive tools: Improved Concept Mapping, Improved Vee Heuristics and ARRA or Analysis of Reasoning, Rhetorics and Argumentation. I was building on earlier article written by Novak (1990), in which he wrote about concept maps and Vee heuristics as two metacognitive tools.

Use of concept maps and Vee heuristics requires lots of hard work, and reflective thinking which need time and energy. Speaking and writing about the same ideas is much easier. Writing develops thinking and reflection more systematically than speaking does. Probably use of improved concept maps, improved Vee heuristics and ARRA promotes even more high quality learning and reflective thinking than writing itself does. This is an empirical question to which only later research can provide more empirical evidence against or for.

References:

Åhlberg, M. 1993. Concept maps, Vee diagrams and Rhetorical Argumentation (RA) Analysis: Three educational theory-based tools to facilitate meaningful learning. Paper presented at The Third International Seminar on Misconceptions in Science and Mathematics. August 1- 5, 1993. Cornell University. Published digitally in the Proceedings of the Seminar, http://www.mlrg.org/proc3abstracts.html (Read 26 2. 2003.)

Åhlberg, M. 1997. Jatkuva laadunparantaminen korkealaatuisena oppimisena. (Continual Quality Improvement as High Quality Learning) University of Joensuu. Research Reports of the Faculty of Education N:o 68.

Åhlberg, M. 1998a. Ecopedagogy and Ecodidactics: Education for Sustainable Development, Good Environment and Good Life. University of Joensuu. Bulletins of the Faculty of Education. N:o 69.

Åhlberg, M. 1998b. Kestävän kehityksen pedagogiikka ja yleisdidaktiikka. Joensuun yliopisto. Kasvatustieteiden tiedekunnan selosteita N:o 71.

Åhlberg, M. 1998c. Education for sustainability, good environment and good life. In Åhlberg, M. & Leal Filho, W. (Eds.) 1998. Environmental education for sustainability: good environment, good life. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 25 - 43.

Novak, J. 1990.