The Three Ms for Effective Learning
We ground our empirically supported guidance on research in the areas of Mindset, Metacognition, and Memory. University of Iowa students, instructors, and staff are already implementing these concepts in their learning and teaching.
All new UI students learn about the Three Ms in their required onboarding course, Success at Iowa. The course provides students with information at each stage of their transition to help them reach their goals at the University of Iowa.
We invite you to view these introductory videos by clicking on the links below:
The Three Ms: An Overview
This document provides more information about each of the Ms, mindset, metacognition, and memory, along with suggestions on how students can use them to their advantage during college: The Three Ms: An Overview.
Mindset
Having a growth mindset helps students understand that they can learn through effort and deliberate practice.
Metacognition
Thinking about thinking is important for monitoring progress towards a learning task and realizing when something is still unclear.
Memory
Learning "sticks" in memory, and some learning practices produce stronger memories than others. To learn more effectively, students can use evidence-based memory strategies.
" [after learning about mindset] I went from feeling like I wasn't smart enough to understand a class to realizing that nothing is out of my league."
First-year student, Film and Astronomy
"Metacognition journals helped me to easily plan, monitor, and evaluate my learning... [which] helped me to actually change up my studying habits... when I needed to."
First-year student, Psychology
"I changed the way I prepared for exams entirely and I have seen insane improvements in not only my letter grade, I am much more confident before exams."
Third-year student, Speech & Hearing Sciences