Thinking+about+Our+Thinking+(metacognition)

Reflection:

The day of the finals I was reviewing the Semester 1 Exam Objectives for the exam in the afternoon with my study-buddy, Angela. I came across these words: Using an ion chart deduce the formulas and names of ionic compounds between monatomic and polyatomic ions. I asked Angela what this meant and she showed me a few examples that were absolutely and completely foreign. Then I remembered that I had been sick that lesson and had forgotten to makeup that lesson.

She taught me how come up with formulas and reminded me to balance the equation after I had finished. Then she gave me a few practice problems from the class I missed and I did them quite quickly. When she checked my work and asked me how I had come to that conclusion (which was apparently wrong), I couldn't quite explain it. I realized that this was because I hadn't followed the steps in the correct order, so I left out some key steps.

After I realized this, I came up with a list of steps. I did the next 5 problems and was able to explain every single step to my patient instructor. Its a good thing I had practiced these problems because it was on the exam. At first I blanked and started panicking, but then after I had calmed down I was able to recite the steps. First switch the chemicals, then right them on the other side etc. It's too bad I don't have my exam back to check if I got that question right or wrong!

Sadly, when Angela was teaching me how to do these problems, we did it on one of her loose sleeves, which I didn't keep. Instead I can show you the ion chart that we used to solve these problems.

Evidence: