Definition of metacognition

A definition has appeared on the Merrian Webster’s Online Dictionary for metacognition. Metacognition is defined as “awareness or analysis of one’s own learning or thinking processes”.

This definition is not accurate enough in my opinion. I would add to that definition the control and the monitoring described by Nelson and Narrens and the metacognitive regulation of those processes described by Noël.

Definition of confidence

Another word from the 14th century. As a noun it covers different meanings like: 

• a feeling or consciousness of one’s powers or of reliance on one’s circumstances; faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way 
• a relation of trust or intimacy; reliance on another’s discretion; support especially in a legislative body
• the quality or state of being certain 

 The last definition is the one related to the subject of confidence marking. The same words are found in the The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition (retrieved October 26, 2007, from Dictionary.com website), the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary (retrieved October 26, 2007) and the FreeDictionary: which add to the state or quality of being certain the notion of freedom from doubt.

• Synonyms most often cited: confidence, assurance, aplomb, self-confidence, self-possession. These nouns denote a feeling of emotional security resulting from faith in oneself. 
• The Merriam-Webster adds: a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassement.
  • confidence stresses faith in oneself and one’s powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance <the confidence that comes from long experience>. 
  • assurance carries a stronger implication of certainty and may suggest arrogance or lack of objectivity in assessing one’s own powers <handled the cross-examination with complete assurance>. 
  • self-possession implies an ease or coolness under stress that reflects perfect self-control and command of one’s powers <answered the insolent question with complete self-possession>. 
  • aplomb implies a manifest self-possession in trying or challenging situations <handled the reporters with great aplomb>.

Regarding confidence marking the meaning of confidence definetelly recovers the state or quality of being certain. But the difference between confidence and assurance is to be remembered because of the relation between assurance and certainty.

Definition of Certainty Marking

or From confidence marking to certainty marking.Tony Gardner-Mewin on his page at University College of London (UCL, LAPT page) mentions that: ” The word “certainty” seems to carry much less baggage than “confidence”. The term “Confidence-based marking” has sometimes suggested to people that confident personalities are being rewarded. This is not so. Those who are rewarded are those who can distinguish between reliable and unreliable answers. In the context of “How certain are you that this is right?” or “How confident are you that this is right?”, they are equivalent. But “Certainty-Based Marking” is perhaps less open to misinterpretation.“

LAPT’s mark scheme (compare with the scheme in this post)

Gardner-Medwin objectives for using degree of certainty are (from lapt’s website):

• To make you think about how reliable your answer is
• To encourage you to try to understand the issues, not just to react immediately to a question
• To encourage you to think laterally: other pieces of knowledge may help to validate or question your answer
• To challenge you – if you won’t risk losing marks if wrong, then you don’t really know the answer.
• If you are a careful thinker, but not very confident, you will gain in confidence
• It is more fair – a thoughtful and confident correct answer deserves more marks than a lucky hunch
• You need to pay attention if you make confident wrong answers – to think, reflect and learn!
• Efficient study requires that you constantly question how your ideas arise, and how reliable they are.

What is the difference between confidence weighting and certainty marking? Answer in the next post.