People Think About Their Own Learning, and Their Feelings Matter
Finally, both thoughts and emotions shape the learning process. Being able to think about and monitor their own
thinking enables learners to direct their own learning. Reflective learners are also good intentional learners. They
are able to redirect the normal frustration that occurs when tasks are confusing, or when their efforts are not initially
productive, into further learning.
Emotions also play a role. Students who are fearful, anxious, depressed, or distracted cannot focus to process
information. Positive emotions—feelings of confidence and willingness to exert effort—can help students to
think, perform a learning task, and process new knowledge. The ability to recognize and manage their emotions,
to solve conflicts, to motivate themselves, and to persevere in the face of difficulty can help students become lifelong
learners.