What best describes metacognition?

Metacognition refers to the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. It involves active monitoring of one's cognitive activities, self-regulation of learning strategies, and reflection on how effectively one is engaging with material or solving problems. This concept encompasses recognizing when you understand something, when you don't, and making adjustments to your approach based on that awareness.

In educational contexts, fostering metacognitive skills in students is crucial because it helps them become self-directed learners. By practicing metacognition, students can assess their understanding, determine what strategies work best for them, and make informed decisions about how to approach new content or tasks.

The other options focus on different concepts that do not capture the essence of metacognition as effectively. For instance, mediation may enhance learning but does not embody the reflective and self-regulatory aspect of thought processes. Cognition from outside the student does not pertain to introspective awareness but rather to external inputs, while analyzing another student's performance is more aligned with peer evaluation rather than self-reflection on one's learning strategies.