Abstract

MAZZARELLA, Clemen. Developing metacognitive abilities using information technologies. Investigación y Postgrado [online]. 2008, vol.23, n.2, pp.175-204. ISSN 1316-0087.

The present paper describes the creation and assessment of a computer system design for developing metacognitive abilities. The study is based on several pedagogical approaches selected for they effectiveness developing four metacognitive skills: a) learning; b) analysis, c) reflection, and d) application. GENESIS represents an interactive and multimedia system controlled by the students according to her needs. It offers timely feedback and provides a log of all the interactive tasks completed by the user. The research complies with the special project model and it is based on a descriptive-explicative semi experimental field study approach. A sample of fifty five high school students was used. The variable “development of metacognitive abilities” was evaluated by applying pretests and posttests and by examining the individual logs provided by the system. The results strongly suggest that the system promotes the development of metacognitive abilities and responds to learning style diversity since four Interaction Schemes were indentified. At the same time, the study shows the opportunity of turning operational current pedagogical approaches by taking advantage of information technologies. Finally, the study opens the possibility for future studies interested in new ways to integrate information technologies (ITs) into educational environments.

Keywords : computerized system; metacognitive abilities; genetics; IT.