What term describes "thinking about thinking"?

The term that describes "thinking about thinking" is metacognition. Metacognition involves awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. It allows individuals to monitor, control, and plan their learning strategies. This self-regulation in learning helps people assess how they comprehend material, the strategies they employ, and the effectiveness of those strategies in achieving learning goals.

Metacognition can be crucial for students, especially in special education settings, as it empowers them to take ownership of their learning. By developing metacognitive skills, students can improve their self-awareness and adapt their approaches to problem-solving and understanding content.

The other options refer to different aspects of thinking but do not specifically capture the essence of self-awareness in thinking that defines metacognition. Reflective thinking is related but focuses more on contemplating experiences after they occur, while critical and analytical thinking involve evaluating information and drawing conclusions rather than monitoring one's own cognitive processes.