Metacognition in the Wild: Metacognitive Studies in Design Education

Abstract

This paper presents a literature review conducted to establish the current state of the discussion on the topic of metacognition in design education based on a review of empirical studies that present the results of educational interventions that introduced aspects of metacognition to design students. Inspired by Edwin Hutchins' seminal book "Cognition in the Wild," this paper intends to start a discovery trip to study metacognitive processes in real-world educational settings as part of a long-term research plan to investigate the intersection of metacognition and design. The paper presents the theoretical framework that contextualizes this review in which the concept of metacognition is discussed and is contextualized in design education. Likewise, the paper presents the methodology that was followed to complete this review, which consisted of four phases: search of relevant literature; sampling and selection of relevant articles; analysis and summary of each source; and synthesis of the body of research. Based on the reviewed articles, it was found that in design education metacognition is addressed as an instructional outcome, as a mechanism to promote other learning outcomes, and as a result of educational interventions. Likewise, it was found that the reviewed studies report, in general, positive results in terms of learning outcomes after conducting metacognitive interventions in design educational settings. Finally, this review identifies the field of metacognition in design education as a research opportunity for further research given the positive results that were found, and the limited body of research that has explored this topic.