PGIS Phuket: Cultivating True Learning Through Metacognition (Not Just Memorization!)

At PGIS Phuket, we believe education is about more than just checking off subjects and preparing for tests. We're committed to nurturing lifelong learners who understand how they learn best, setting them up for success far beyond the classroom.

This commitment is deeply embedded in our International Primary Curriculum (IPC), particularly through our focus on Brain-Based Learning and Metacognition.

You might be asking, "What exactly does that mean for my child? And how can it help my child learn faster, better, and more efficiently?" Let's explore.

Unlocking the Brain's Potential: Our Progressive Pedagogy

IPC's Progressive Pedagogy is based on four key learning theories: brain-based learning, constructivism, experiential and active learning, and metacognition.

These theories work together to enhance learning through different approaches, such as promoting long-term memory retention, connecting new knowledge to prior knowledge, engaging students in hands-on activities, and encouraging reflection on learning. 

Here's a more detailed look at each theory:

• Brain-based learning: This theory focuses on how the brain processes information and how learning can be optimized by understanding these processes. The IPC uses brain-based principles to improve long-term memory retention and to support the transfer of information from working memory to long-term memory. 

• Constructivism: This theory emphasizes that learning is an active process where students construct their own understanding by connecting new information to their existing knowledge. The IPC promotes constructivist pedagogy by encouraging students to actively engage in the learning process and make connections between different subjects and ideas. 

• Experiential and active learning: This theory emphasizes learning through hands-on experiences and active engagement in activities. The IPC incorporates experiential learning activities, such as treasure hunts and other interactive tasks, to promote deeper engagement and understanding. 

• Metacognition: This theory involves reflection on one's own learning process, including understanding what is being learned, how it is being learned, and how it can be improved. The IPC encourages metacognitive reflection through activities like the "Knowledge Harvest," where students share their prior knowledge and reflect on their learning journey.

  
  

These aren't just academic terms; they're the foundation of how we approach teaching and learning every single day at PGIS Phuket.

Our dedicated Brainwave units are where these powerful theories truly come to life. These units are designed to help students, even our youngest learners in K-3 and Grade 1-3, understand the incredible mechanics of their own brains and how to leverage them for optimal learning.

Metacognition in Action: Learning How to Learn

Metacognition, simply put, is thinking about your thinking. It's the ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate your own learning process.

Imagine your child not just doing homework, but understanding how they approached it, what strategies worked, and what they could do differently next time. That's metacognition!

As teachers in the IPC program highlight, we teach specific metacognitive strategies within our Brainwave units and integrate them throughout the school year. This isn't a one-off lesson; it's a continuous journey.

How does PGIS Phuket support metacognition in the classroom?

Inspired by the IPC's guidance we guide learners to:

• Plan: Before starting a task, we encourage children to consider: "What do I already know or have I experienced about this?" and "What do I need to learn or do?" Teachers model this process through think-alouds, asking questions, and vocalizing their own thought process.

• Monitor: During learning, children learn to check in with themselves: "Am I understanding this?" "Is this strategy working?" We use simple strategies like:

• Teacher Think-Alouds: Explicitly modeling how to approach problems and self-correct.

• Understanding Checks: Simple signals like "traffic lights" or thumbs up/down to show comprehension.

• "How did you know?" Questions: Encouraging children to articulate their reasoning and strategies.

• Evaluate: After learning, students reflect on their experience: "How did I learn this?" and "How effective was my approach?" We use:

• Reflection Prompts: Asking questions like "What was the most important thing you learned today?"

• Goal Setting & Self-Assessment: Helping children set simple learning goals and then review their success.

• Collaborative Monitoring: Encouraging students to explain their learning to others, solidifying their understanding.

  
  

These aren't just abstract ideas; they are practical tools students can use now and into the future to become independent, self-managing, and organized learners.

Metacognition in Action: The Plan-Monitor-Evaluate-Inspire Cycle

The terms "plan, monitor, evaluate, inspire" are key components of metacognition and self-regulated learning. They represent a cycle of thinking about and managing one's learning process. This cycle helps learners become more aware of their own learning, strategies, and progress, ultimately leading to more effective and efficient learning.

At PGIS Phuket, we guide our learners through this continuous cycle, helping them to internalize these critical steps:

• Plan: This involves setting goals, identifying learning needs, and choosing appropriate learning strategies. For example, a student might plan to use flashcards, study groups, or online resources to learn a particular topic.

• Monitor: This stage involves tracking progress, assessing understanding, and adjusting strategies as needed. A learner might monitor their progress by taking practice quizzes or self-testing.

• Evaluate: This stage involves reviewing the outcome of the learning process and reflecting on the effectiveness of the chosen strategies. For example, a student might evaluate their study habits by looking at their grades and making changes accordingly.

• Inspire: This is the final stage, where learners are motivated and encouraged to continue learning and improving their skills. This can involve setting new goals or finding new learning resources.

Brainwave Units: More Than Just a Start

While our Brainwave units are fantastic for introducing these concepts, the work doesn't stop there. Brain-Based Learning and Metacognition are woven into all subject lessons throughout the year. We ensure that these powerful learning strategies are applied consistently across the curriculum.

For instance, we use metacognitive strategies in the "Mission to Mars" unit to help students remember planet names – a perfect example of integrating these skills into engaging content.

At PGIS Phuket, we actively engage learners in discussions about what they are learning and how they are learning it. Even young children, by providing simple answers to these questions, begin to develop the crucial reasoning skills that will help them tackle complex issues later on.

Utilizing Practical Metacognitive Learning Strategies

PGIS integrates a variety of practical strategies to support metacognition. For example, to help students remember the order of the planets in our solar system, we might use a fun mnemonic like "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos".

Other strategies include:

• Thinking journals: encouraging students to record their thoughts and learning processes.

• Metacognitive talk: fostering open discussion about learning strategies and challenges.

• Exam wrappers: encouraging reflection on test performance and study habits.

• Using a metacognition checklist: providing students with a structured way to monitor their learning.

• The KWL (Know, Want to know, Learned) chart: a powerful tool to engage learners and support their metacognitive planning and evaluation.

  
  

Brain-Based Learning: At PGIS Phuket, Brain-Based Learning principles are integrated into all subject lessons. By teaching students about how their brains work, we provide them with a foundational understanding that enhances their metacognitive strategies.

Supportive Classroom Management: Simple yet powerful rules, like not talking when others are speaking and not doing anything that hinders another's learning, contribute to a focused environment where metacognitive development can flourish.

Empowering Your Child for Lifelong Success

By teaching our students how their brain works and how to actively use metacognitive strategies, we are doing more than just delivering curriculum content. We are equipping them with the ultimate learning tools.

At PGIS Phuket, your child isn't just learning subjects; they are learning how to learn. This empowers them to:

• Become Independent Learners: They take ownership of their educational journey.

• Improve Problem-Solving Skills: They can identify challenges and adapt their approach.

• Boost Academic Performance: Understanding how to learn makes what they learn stick better.

• Develop Critical Thinking: They question, analyze, and justify their understanding.

• Thrive in the Future: These are essential skills for navigating an ever-changing world.

We invite you to come and learn more about our IEYC and IPC programs and how PGIS Phuket is dedicated to providing an education that truly prepares your child for a bright future.