Metacognitive Skills and Reflection as Essential Components of Self-Education

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the metacognitive skills and reflection as important elements for ensuring the success of self-education process. The purpose of this study was to identify the specific conditions for the development of metacognitive skills and to determine the most efficient learning strategies. To achieve this, the theoretical aspects of metacognitive skills and reflection that effect the success of self-education have been analysed. This paper describes the pedagogical conditions of education necessary for the development of students' metacognitive skills and reflection. A knowledge monitoring assessment instrument was used to determine the level of students' reflection and metacognitive awareness. The results of the study showed that the metacognitive skills, the ability to reflect, and the metacognitive awareness among students were of low level. The results also emphasise the importance of metacognitive skills and reflection for successful strategy-based cognitive activity and self-education.