Self-explanation

Definition

Self-explanation is a learning strategy where individuals articulate their understanding of concepts and processes, often by explaining material to themselves or others. This technique helps learners integrate new information with prior knowledge, fostering deeper comprehension and retention. By generating their own explanations, students actively engage with the material, leading to improved problem-solving skills and metacognitive awareness.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Self-explanation encourages active engagement by prompting learners to connect new information with existing knowledge, which enhances understanding.
2. Research shows that students who use self-explanation techniques perform better on assessments compared to those who do not.
3. This strategy can be particularly effective in mathematics education, where explaining problem-solving steps helps solidify understanding of concepts.
4. Self-explanation not only aids in comprehension but also promotes metacognitive skills, allowing learners to monitor their own understanding.
5. Incorporating self-explanation in study routines can lead to better retention of material over time, making it a valuable tool for long-term learning.

Review Questions

• How does self-explanation enhance the process of integrating new mathematical concepts with prior knowledge?
  • Self-explanation enhances the integration of new mathematical concepts with prior knowledge by encouraging students to articulate their understanding in their own words. When learners explain a new idea or process, they are forced to make connections to what they already know, reinforcing those links and making the new information more meaningful. This active engagement not only clarifies their understanding but also identifies any gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed.
• Discuss the role of self-explanation in promoting metacognitive awareness among students learning mathematics.
  • Self-explanation plays a critical role in promoting metacognitive awareness by requiring students to reflect on their thought processes as they solve mathematical problems. By articulating their reasoning and strategies, learners become more conscious of how they approach tasks and assess their own understanding. This reflection fosters a better grasp of their learning strategies and encourages them to adjust their approaches as needed, enhancing overall learning outcomes.
• Evaluate how self-explanation can be utilized to improve instructional practices in mathematics education.
  • Utilizing self-explanation in instructional practices can significantly improve student engagement and learning outcomes in mathematics education. Teachers can integrate self-explanation techniques by encouraging students to explain their reasoning during problem-solving or to write reflective summaries of what they've learned. This practice not only deepens comprehension but also allows educators to identify individual student misunderstandings, tailoring support accordingly. By embedding self-explanation into regular lessons, instructors can create an environment that fosters critical thinking and self-regulated learning among students.

Related terms

Metacognition: The awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes, including self-monitoring and regulation of learning strategies.

Schema Theory: A framework for understanding how knowledge is organized in the brain, where information is categorized and stored in mental structures known as schemas.

Cognitive Load Theory: A theory that describes the limitations of working memory and how instructional design can optimize the cognitive load for effective learning.