{"id":10594,"date":"2022-03-09T15:44:10","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T15:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accinsweb8366.wpenginepowered.com\/tledupdates\/?p=10594"},"modified":"2022-12-09T23:09:41","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T23:09:41","slug":"building-better-learning-metacognition-and-free-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/2022\/03\/09\/building-better-learning-metacognition-and-free-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Better Learning: Metacognition and Free Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"mailto:rpalmer@austincc.edu\"><em>by Richard Palmer, Instructional Designer<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Open Education offers educators opportunities to improve equity, teaching strategies, and our community. Metacognition provides a set of skills that can improve student outcomes and problem-solving. Free apps can support open education and metacognitive skills for all subject areas. Here is a list of free apps for faculty, students, and staff to build metacognitive skills and strategies.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>App<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Metacognitive Skills<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Students <\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Faculty <\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Staff<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Miro<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Modeling Questions<\/p>\n<p>Reflection<\/p>\n<p>Muddiest points notes<\/p>\n<p>Post-test Analysis<\/p>\n<p>Peer Teaching<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Padlet<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Modeling questions<\/p>\n<p>Reflection<\/p>\n<p>Muddiest point notes Post-test Analysis<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Zoom<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Muddiest points<\/p>\n<p>Peer teaching<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Google Drive<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Multimodal content delivery<\/p>\n<p>Muddiest points<\/p>\n<p>Peer teaching<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Google Calendar<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Distributed study<\/p>\n<p>Interleaved subject study<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>YouTube<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Multimodal content delivery<\/p>\n<p>Multimodal content exploration<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Notability<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Writing notes out<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Blackboard<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Multimodal content delivery<\/p>\n<p>Multimodal content exploration<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Google Scholar and Search<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Multimodal content delivery<\/p>\n<p>Multimodal content exploration<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><strong>FACULTY<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Faculty<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0can support metacognitive skills and modeling reflective techniques by integrating strategies and tools into their courses.<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/tled.austincc.edu\/faculty-support\/services\/teaching-consultations-and-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Consult with an instructional Designer<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to dive deeper! Below are free applications that can support metacognitive strategies in your courses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Modeling questions and reflection<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0using tools like whiteboards, response walls, and polling apps allow students to reflect and make conceptual connections for a deeper understanding of a specific subject.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/tled.austincc.edu\/about-tled\/current-projects-and-initiatives\/miro-pilot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miro<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0A flexible whiteboard allows students and teachers to present information and comment in a shared space.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/tled.austincc.edu\/faculty-support\/tools\/padlet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Padlet<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is a response wall that allows multiple questions and multimedia responses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Poll Everywhere<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Ask questions and display results to prompt discussions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Muddiest point notes and Post-test Analysis<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0strategies check student understanding of course concepts. Response wall apps gather concepts students struggle with and highlight challenging concepts for student reflection.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Padlet<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is a response wall that allows multiple questions and multimedia responses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miro<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is a whiteboard app that offers a way to explore subjects through drawing, text, mind maps, and various other techniques.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Multimodal content delivery creates<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0repetition of study, concept depth, and equity of access.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Blackboard and Google Classroom<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0are Learning Management systems on which you may deliver course content in various modalities like videos with captions and transcripts, supplemental video content, or complimentary articles. Blackboard offers document conversion into five different formats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Google Drive<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0offers storage and organization to support many modes of content. Students can also use Google Drive to work collaboratively on course materials and assignments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">YouTube<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0video archive has millions of videos for easy alternative modes for course content.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>STUDENTS<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Empower students\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to create their learning environment by using apps to support metacognitive strategies that will support lifelong learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What are metacognitive strategies?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Metacognition is a way of reflecting on learning strategies. Read about some of these strategies and what apps can help you master the metacognitive approach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Distributed and Interleaved subject study<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0strategies create depth of subject knowledge and concept connection. Practice these strategies by spreading study blocks over time and shortening individual study periods to avoid cognitive overload and create depth of knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Use<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Google Calendar<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to plan shorter study blocks each day and color code them to make sure you are switching topics often. Pro-tip: Start from the due dates and work your way backward!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Writing notes out<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0has been shown to increase depth of understanding. Taking notes is a no-brainer, but physically writing notes creates a reflective period that improves learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Use<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Notability<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> with a stylus to write out notes by hand. Notes are converted into text format for review.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Multimodal subject exploration<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0offers different approaches to understanding course subject matter. Use these tools to search for other ways to study course material.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Use the<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0YouTube<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0video archive to search for additional lectures on the same topics you cover in class.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Google Scholar<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0offers ways to locate academic research, or Google Search to find websites and presentations on challenging topics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Use<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Blackboard\u2019s<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> five alternative formats (like audio, screen readers, braille) to create files for documents posted in a course. For example, create an audio file and use an mp3 player to listen to a text document to review the material.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Muddiest points and peer teaching<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> are reflective and proactive strategies for students to focus on areas of struggle and collaborate on learning. When using The Muddiest points, you write down the most confusing part of a lecture or assignment and share it with your instructor or peers. Peer teaching is when you work through lessons or muddiest points with your classmates to improve learning for everyone involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miro<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and all whiteboard apps offer students a way to explore subjects using drawing, text, mind maps, and various other techniques. For example, you could create a board and share it with your classmates to capture your muddiest points.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Zoom<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and other video conferencing apps are great ways for groups to interact and learn synchronously using features such as audio\/video, chat, breakout rooms, and screen sharing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Google Workspace<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is a cloud-based suite of apps that offer asynchronous collaboration on assignments in different formats like documents, slides, and spreadsheets. This tool is another excellent option for capturing the muddiest points and sharing insight with your peers.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>SUPPORT STAFF<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Each time they work with students, support staff can teach students study approaches and tools. Consider how you might recommend these free apps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Distributed and Interleaved subject study<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0strategies create depth of subject knowledge and concept connection. By spreading study out over time and shortening individual subject study periods, students can avoid cognitive overload and create depth of concepts.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Google Calendar<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> allows students to plan shorter study blocks each day and color code them to make sure they switch topics often. Pro-tip: Start from the due dates and work your way backward!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Muddiest points\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are opportunities for support staff to help students review and focus on aspects of the subject they are struggling to learn.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miro<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and all whiteboard apps offer students ways to explore subjects through drawing, text, mind maps, and various other techniques. Create a board and share it with your students to capture the muddiest points and provide additional resources or comments directly in the app.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Google Workspace<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> apps offer asynchronous collaboration on assignments based on different formats like documents, slides, and spreadsheets. Reviewing and annotating these documents can help students connect concepts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Multimodal subject exploration<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0helps students understand concepts from a different perspective and allows them to repeat the subject matter. Each time the student reviews the material in a new modality, it will enable the student to increase understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">YouTube<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0video archive has millions of videos that may offer an accessible alternative mode for course content.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Google search<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0provides ways to locate academic research, websites, subject modules, and more subject-specific information.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Blackboard<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> offers five different formats (like audio, screen reader, braille) for documents shared in courses.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These apps are free and accessible through the<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/app-store\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Apple App Store<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(for Apple devices) and the<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Google Play Store<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(for Android devices). Additionally, The Office of Academic Technology has<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.austincc.edu\/students\/student-technology-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0iPads<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0available for semester checkout by anyone attending ACC.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Combining metacognitive skills and technology allows students to reflect on their learning strategies and take control of their creations and content. By using these apps and online file organization tools like Google Drive, students can build a personal learning environment (PLE) that they can take anywhere and use throughout their whole life.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Richard Palmer, Instructional Designer Open Education offers educators opportunities to improve equity, teaching strategies, and our community. Metacognition provides a set of skills that can improve student outcomes and problem-solving. Free apps can support open education and metacognitive skills for all subject areas. Here is a list of free apps for faculty, students, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":10599,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[182],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-teaching-learning"],"acf":{"carousel_content":false},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/03\/Free-apps-for-building-better-learning.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10594"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10594\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}