Maryland Metacognition Seminar: "Building a Case for Relational Reasoning Strategies as "Meta"-Tools in Human Learning and Performance" by Patricia Alexander

Location: Room 3258, A.V. Williams Building
Speaker: Patricia Alexander, University of Maryland, Department of Human Development

Abstract:
Since the late 1970s, there has been growing evidence that far too many individuals are not particularly “meta” in their cognitive processing. Erroneous information goes undetected, judgments of learning are poorly calibrated to actual performance, and opportunities to bring pertinent knowledge and skills to bear during problem solving are frequently missed. Nonetheless, metacognitive awareness, knowledge, and strategies remain hallmarks of competent learning and performance and are foundational to expertise development. Thus, it can be asked why such metacognitive problems arise, why they persistent, and what can be done to intervene. In this presentation, a theoretical model is offered that attempts to pinpoint places in information processing where errors in human performance may arise. Further, as elements of this model, relational thinking and reasoning are explained and four relational reasoning meta-strategies are overviewed that may have the potential to bootstrap individuals’ cognitive information processing.

Biography:
Dr. Patricia Alexander is the Jean Mullan Professor of Literacy and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher in the Department of Human Development, Learning, and Quantitative Methodology at the University of Maryland. She has served as President of Division 15 (Educational Psychology) of the American Psychological Association, Vice-President of Division C (Learning and Instruction) of the American Educational Research Association, and Past-President of the Southwest Educational Research Association. A former middle-school teacher, Dr. Alexander received her reading specialist degree from James Madison University (1979) and her Ph.D. in reading from the University of Maryland (1981). Since receiving her Ph.D., Dr. Alexander has published over 270 articles, books, or chapters in the area of learning and instruction. She has also presented over 400 papers or invited addresses at national and international conferences. She currently serves as the senior editor of Contemporary Educational Psychology, was past editor of Instructional Science and Associate Editor of American Educational Research Journal-Teaching, Learning, and Human Development, and presently serves on over 10 editorial boards including those for Learning and Instruction, Educational Psychologist, and the Journal of Educational Psychology.