Cultivation of Metacognition in the Web-Based Autonomous Learning Environment

The web-based autonomous learning is gaining momentum. Despite the abundant learning resources and the incomparable learning freedom it offers, the brand-new learning environment poses problems such as the establishment of learning goals, the designing of learning plans, the monitoring of learning processes and the evaluation of learning outcomes, which might create obstacles for successful web-based learning. The cultivation of metacognition, which comprises metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive regulations, makes an effective key to the afore-mentioned problems. Approaches of metacognition cultivation in the web-based autonomous learning environment can be diversified, including traditional lectures, On-line Notice, Forum, On-line Homework, Questions & Answers, and the formative evaluation system. A quality cultivation of metacognition is a guarantee of successful web-based autonomous learning.