ProfEd 212 Facilitating Learning

Metacognition

Activity
Answer the following questionnaire. * Put a check to the column that best describes what is true to you.

PART 1

Always Sometimes Never Your

(10) (5) (0) Score

1 I exert effort to find out why I need to do a particular

task.

2 I reward myself when I work.

3 I see to it that I give myself regular breaks from work.

4 I am able to keep my concentration and do not let my

mind “drift away.”

5 I have ways of dealing with distractions.

6 I am willing to do the work I do not enjoy because I

see it as important.

7 I seek clarification from the teacher about her

expectations and standards.

8 I go to tutorials to improve my school work.

PART 2

Always Sometimes Never Your

(10) (5) (0) Score

1 I make a weekly timetable for the school work I need

to accomplish.

2 I make a review schedule for examinations.

I plan to get the necessary resources and equipment

3 prior to starting work.

4 I submit all my assignments on time.

5 I have a place to work where I won’t be disturbed.

6 I have time for family commitments and relaxations as

well as studying.

7 I prioritize tasks which should be done first, second

and so on.

8 I make lists of things to do.

I make a list of valuable references with bibliographic

9 details, page numbers of quotes and so on.

10 I review my work before submitting it.

PART 3

Always Sometimes Never Your

(10) (5) (0) Score

1 I discuss work assignments with other students.

2 I share resources with other students.

I keep cuttings from newspapers and magazines

3 which may be of help to me.

4 I make sure I see TV programs which may be useful.

5 I read the topic assigned before a session.

6 I ask questions and generally take part in group

discussion.

7 I listen out for key ideas when someone is talking.

When I am listening to someone, I try to anticipate

8 what they will say next.

PART 4

Always Sometimes Never Your

(0) (5) (10) Score

1 I get so worried about assignments that they make

me fill ill.

This worry about assignments makes me feel

2 depressed.

3 I feel miserable about doing assignments.

4 I let these concerns about the work get on top of me.

When I need to work, others always succeed in

5 persuading me to go out.

6 I have difficulty in talking to others about my worries.

7 I ignore my personal fitness through worrying about

assignments.

The stress of assignments causes me to get behind

8 and I never seem to catch up.
PART 5

Always Sometimes Never Your

(10) (5) (0) Score

1 My notes indicate the main ideas, rather than merely

repeat what has been said.

2 I listen for key ideas when listening to a speaker.

3 I approach tutors for help.

4 I organize or file my notes regularly.

I re-write my notes under key ideas, headings, using

5 numbering or lettering schemes.

6 I have a shorthand technique of my own.

7 I underline or highlight key ideas so they stand out.

I decide, before reading a book, whether it is vital or

8 background reading.

9 I go over a book before driving into chapter one.

I check the content page for relevance before reading

10 a book.

11 I look for summaries at the end of chapters.

PART 6

Always Sometimes Never Your

(10) (5) (0) Score

1 I see to it that I understand what is really being asked

for in the assignment/project.

2 I read other references and read about the topic.

I make an outline/plan before doing my

3 assignment/project.

4 I spell-check for spelling mistakes.

5 My essays have clear introductions.

6 My essays have conclusions.

7 I frequently check back to the title during the writing

of an essay.

My essays/research paper has a full set of references

8 and a bibliography.

9 I review project/assignment before submitting it.

I request someone else to look at/read my

10 project/assignment before submitting it.
❖ adapted from Bradford University

Scoring:
The six parts of the questionnaire pertain to the following aspects of study habits:
Part 1 Motivation
Part 2 Organizing and planning your work
Part 3 Working with others; Utilizing resources and feedback
Part 4 Managing school work stress
Part 5 Note-taking and reading
Part 6 Preparing an assignment/project

Use the scoring guide below

Scoring for Part 1 Motivation

Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never

Feedback: Scores from 55 to 80 mean that you do not appear to have many problems in getting down
to work and keeping to it.
Scores from 35 to 50 mean that you sometimes get down to work but you can be
distracted, you might not always be certain why you have to work. You probably could
benefit from learning some techniques that help you get down to work more consistently
and keep at it.
Scores of 30 and below signify that you really do have problems in getting down to work.
Unless you develop skills in this area you are likely to have many unsatisfactory
experiences as a student throughout your life. You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 2 Organizing and Planning your Work

Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never
Feedback: Scores from 70 to 100 mean you are well-organized and plan ahead for your work.
Scores from 40 to 65 mean you are not as well-organized as you could be. Your time
management might benefit from a closer analysis.
Scores of 35 and below mean you have little organization, probably deal with things as
they happen, constantly doing things at the last minute, often not getting work completed.
You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 3

Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never
Feedback: Scores from 55 to 85 mean you make full use of resources available, listen well and take
an active part in seminars.
Scores from 35 to 50 mean you probably collect resources, but you need to ask yourself
how you are going to use them more effectively.
Scores of 35 and below mean there are important resources around you that you are
ignoring. You may not be hearing much of what is being said. You need to know what
resources are available, and you need to find out where they are and what they have to
offer. . You may not be hearing much of what is being said. You need to know what
resources are available, and you need to find out where they are and what they have to
offer. You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 4 Managing School Work Stress

Score: 10 for Never
5 for Sometimes
0 for Always
Feedback: Scores from 65 to 80 mean that although you sometimes get stressed and worried you have
the skills of knowing how to minimize problems and look after yourself.
Scores from 40 to 65 mean that you handle your anxieties and concerns moderately well
but could develop skills to manage them more effectively.
Scores of 35 and under mean that you are likely to get overwhelmed with your problems
which will make you much less effective as a student. You need to acquire the skills of
managing stress more effectively. You need to take action.
 Scoring for Part 5 Note-taking and Reading
Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never
Feedback: Scores from 75 to 110 mean you prepare well and read efficiently, learning as you go. You
waste little time reading irrelevant material.
Scores from 45-70 mean your reading and note taking skills are adequate, but could not
be improved.
Scores of 40 and below mean your notes are likely to be of little use to you, if they exist
at all. You spend a lot of time reading or sitting in but come home with very little. You need
to become more selective in what you read or write down.
You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 6 Preparing an Assignment/Project

Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never
Feedback: Scores from 70 – 100 mean that your essays are well thought out, researched and clearly
written.
Scores from 40 – 65 mean that there is room for improvement although you do
demonstrate some skills.
Scores of 35 and below mean that you probably wonder why your essays always get such
low marks. Resources and support are available to help you improve your essay writing
skills. Take action now.

Analysis
My Score in the Study Habits Questionnaire

Aspect of Study Habits My Score Interpretation

Part 1 Motivation

Part 2 Organizing and Planning your Work;

Part 3 Working with others, Utilizing Resources

and Feedback

Part 4 Managing School Work Stress

Part 5 Note-taking and Reading

Part 6 Preparing an Assignment/Project

What did you discover about yourself using this questionnaire? What aspects are you strong in? What aspects do
you need to improve in?
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