1. Using Survey Prompts to Promote Metacognition
Dr. Wendy Schatzberg

2. What is Metacognition? Metacognition Otherwise known as
Thinking about thinking
Knowing about knowing
Understanding about understanding

3. Why promote metacognition?
Part of the learning process is understanding what is the most effective way for you, the individual, to learn and succeed
Students often haven’t truly explored what are effective study and learning techniques for themselves
There are general techniques for studying – flashcards, problem solving, worksheets – but everyone learns in different ways

4. What about those “survey prompts”?
Surveys were put on Surveymonkey for students to complete
The instructors were not allowed to see student responses but were informed of overall trends in responses

5. Wouldn’t the extra credit change their grade?
Students were rewarded with 2 points extra credit for survey completion
Enough to promote the classwork but in a 1000 point class, not enough to significantly effect their grade

6. Implementation
A week before and after every exam the students were given a survey to complete
The survey consists of only 2-3 questions
Before: asks the students what study tactics are they going to use for the exam, how much time they will devote to studying, etc.
After: how did their performance match expectations, what study method worked for them and why, what they will do different next time, etc.

7. Why would a professor use this method?
Online surveys do not take away from class time
The surveys give knowledge about what classroom material students are using effectively
Better insight into what stage of learning the students are starting out with and evolving

8. Preliminary Results
Students appear to be more aware of study tactics that suit their individual needs
Students are being more articulate with the types of studying and how much time it takes for them to study
Less comparison between their own study needs and others

9. Discussion
Results from the Physics and Chemistry courses will be compiled at the end of Spring Semester 2019
Keyword results and compare to SALG (student assessment of learning gains) and grades to control groups

10. Future Work
Looking at expanding the research into Physics, Chemistry, and other Physical Science disciplines
If this proves effective this would be a low cost, low effort aid for student success and allow for professors to understand what materials are effective for their specific classes