Experiences with the metacognitive skills inventory

Despite the national surge in interest in technology fields, student performance measures continue to reveal that many students lack the analytical skills to complete college level courses in math and computer science. The development of tools for the measurement and enhancement of metacognitive skills will be examined. The primary measuring tool, the metacognitive skills inventory, was designed to measure metacognitive abilities. The inventory consists of two subscales: decomposition and confidence. The decomposition subscale measures the subjects ´ awareness and reported use of the critical problem solving steps. Examples are problem identification, planning of solution strategies, and comparison of these strategies. The confidence subscale, measures the extent to which subjects are confident in their own problem solving ability. The inventory has been used in studies comparing student grades in college courses, problem solving skills at different levels in various college programs, and student performance on various tests. These tests include the SAT (both verbal and math), the MARS-R math anxiety scales, and the general expectancy of success scale-revised. The MSI is currently being used as an integral component of current research dealing with the development of training and education programs to increase metacognitive skills.