Metacognition: The High-Impact Strategy That Accelerates Student Learning

Primary and Secondary Teachers and Teacher Aides Year 4 – Year 12

Research is clear: when we explicitly teach metacognition—the skill of noticing, managing, and directing our own thinking—students learn more, across every subject and every year level (Baker, 2013; Dunlosky & Metcalfe, 2009; Hattie, 2009; Wang, Haertel, & Walberg, 1993). Teaching students to “drive their own brain” gives them practical, powerful tools to understand how they learn best and take charge of their progress. This workshop focuses on the high‑impact strategies that help students plan, monitor, and reflect so they become confident, strategic, independent learners.

Core Topics: • What metacognition is — and why it matters for every learner • How metacognition boosts learning across subjects and year levels • The ‘how’ and ‘why’ of teaching students about brain plasticity • Powerful metacognitive strategies you can teach your students • How to explicitly teach metacognitive strategies in any classroom • How to coach students to use these strategies independently • Essential metacognitive questions students can use to guide their learning

Sally Learey is a renowned keynote speaker, author and education consultant. As well as teaching, she holds qualifications in training, positive psychology, coaching and counselling. Sally has worked in both training and primary and secondary teaching sectors across a variety of educational settings. Sally is also an author of 7 books ranging from children’s books to adult non-fiction. She is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of teachers and leaders in education. Sally empowers teachers to create classrooms and learning environments that are inclusive for all students. As a mother of a son with special needs which includes ASD, she has a wealth of personal and professional expertise in this area.

Inspirational Speakers –  the knowledge gained will be so beneficial in my classrooms

I love the fantastic variety of workshops and conferences on offer. Always look forward to Critical Agendas PD’s.

Loved the honesty in the sharing of information and strategies

The best P.D. I have attended in living memory!” I loved every minute of this engaging, interesting and informative PD. And I have been teaching for 40+ years!

“It is the first P.L. in a long long time that I haven’t been checking in with my watch.”

Keep up the fantastic PD opportunities! Very  professional and well-researched workshops and conferences.

Passionate &  Authentic Speakers – Meaningful Strategies

Just a big Thank you for giving us the opportunity to attend the Critical Agenda Workshop yesterday.  David presented a great program, lots of handy strategies and he was very engaging and supportive. Highly recommended.  I was very happy we did not have to do any Role play’s.

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