What is the term used for awareness of one's own thinking processes during learning or reading?

Metacognition refers to the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. It involves being conscious of how one learns, recognizes one's strengths and weaknesses in understanding material, and strategically adjusts one's approach to improve comprehension and retention. This concept is crucial in educational contexts as it empowers learners to evaluate their thinking and learning strategies, leading to more effective and self-directed learning experiences.

In contrast, critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating information to form a judgment but does not inherently focus on the awareness of the thinking process itself. Self-regulation pertains to managing one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in learning, including goal setting and monitoring progress, but it is not specifically about awareness of cognitive processes. Cognitive Load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory, which is important in understanding how people learn but does not directly address the awareness of one's own thinking.