Metacognition in Teacher Professionalization: Critical Thinking in a Mixed Environment

Abstract

The present study is part of research over metacognition, particularly focused on features of critical thinking (Marzano and Pickering, 2005) by textual reflection after teacher-training. It is intended to respond the question: What characteristics of critical thinking are identified by writing reflection about learning achieved by attending a concrete in-service workshop, and its implementation in the instructional practice of the participants? Research design is descriptive, with a mixed approach. Method is content analysis. Frequency-concentrates of critical thinking features are presented. Outputs indicate that the prevalent feature was to be accurate, then to search for precision and, to a lesser extent, reacting to feelings appropriately and to the knowledge level from others. Limitations were sample size and several writing-skills levels in the participants. It is needed to train instructors on conscious improvement of thinking skills features, so they can perform and to be able to support their students' development.