Cognitive Processes in Adapting to Unexpected Changes: The Role of Metacognitive Monitoring

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Goals, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Metacognitive States

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to examine the cognitive processes engaged in adapting to unexpected changes, especially the role of metacognitive knowledge monitoring. Think aloud protocols were collected while students worked on a metacognitive knowledge monitoring task and while they solved simple mathematic items on which the rules changed unexpectedly. Findings indicated that metacognitive checking and persistence in problem solving might be key cognitive processes associated with performance in knowledge monitoring assessment and adapting to change tasks. Findings from this study will provide guidance for the design of interventions intended to promote people’s adaptability to a rapidly changing environment, a key 21st century skill.

Authors

• Fei Chen, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Sigmund Tobias, Albany State University