Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module

Arzu Derya Taşçı; Adnan Küçükoğlu; Hasret Nuhoğlu

doi:10.17275/per.26.57.13.4

Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module

Abstract

Fostering students’ metacognitive awareness and perceived problem-solving skills is critical for both academic achievement and informed decision-making in daily life. This study examines the impact of a systems thinking-based global environmental issues module on middle school students’ metacognitive awareness and perceived problem-solving skills, while exploring their views regarding the learning process. The study involved 49 seventh-grade students attending an elective environmental education course. While the control group followed the standard Ministry of National Education textbook, the experimental group engaged in activities designed with system dynamics tools. This study employed a mixed methods design. In the quantitative phase, a quasi-experimental design was employed, while the qualitative phase utilized a case study design. Quantitative data were collected through the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory for Children and the Perceived Problem-Solving Skills Scale, whereas qualitative data were obtained via semi-structured interviews. Independent samples t-tests were conducted for quantitative analysis, while descriptive analysis was applied to qualitative data. The findings revealed that the intervention activities significantly enhanced students’ metacognitive awareness and perceived problem-solving skills. The qualitative findings indicated that the activities contributed to students’ ability to develop diverse perspectives on environmental issues, understand complex cause-and-effect relationships, and transfer acquired skills to various contexts. These results highlight the potential of systems thinking in supporting higher-order cognitive skills.

Keywords

environmental education, systems thinking, higher-order cognitive skills;, metacognitive awareness

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

The ethics committee approval of the study was expressed in the decision 03/20 on 24.02.2022 by Atatürk University Ethics Committee. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committees. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants and their parents.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Curriculum and Instration (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Arzu Derya Taşçı ^*
0000-0003-3667-2020
Türkiye

Adnan Küçükoğlu
0000-0002-8522-258X
Türkiye

Hasret Nuhoğlu
0000-0002-9985-4203
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 3, 2026

Submission Date

February 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.57.13.4

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA42JZ85WC

APA

Derya Taşçı, A., Küçükoğlu, A., & Nuhoğlu, H. (2026). Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module. Participatory Educational Research, 13(4), 231-250. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.57.13.4

AMA

1.Derya Taşçı A, Küçükoğlu A, Nuhoğlu H. Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module. PER. 2026;13(4):231-250. doi:10.17275/per.26.57.13.4

Chicago

Derya Taşçı, Arzu, Adnan Küçükoğlu, and Hasret Nuhoğlu. 2026. “Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module”. Participatory Educational Research 13 (4): 231-50. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.57.13.4.

EndNote

Derya Taşçı A, Küçükoğlu A, Nuhoğlu H (July 1, 2026) Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module. Participatory Educational Research 13 4 231–250.

IEEE

[1]A. Derya Taşçı, A. Küçükoğlu, and H. Nuhoğlu, “Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module”, PER, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 231–250, July 2026, doi: 10.17275/per.26.57.13.4.

ISNAD

Derya Taşçı, Arzu - Küçükoğlu, Adnan - Nuhoğlu, Hasret. “Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module”. Participatory Educational Research 13/4 (July 1, 2026): 231-250. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.57.13.4.

JAMA

1.Derya Taşçı A, Küçükoğlu A, Nuhoğlu H. Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module. PER. 2026;13:231–250.

MLA

Derya Taşçı, Arzu, et al. “Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module”. Participatory Educational Research, vol. 13, no. 4, July 2026, pp. 231-50, doi:10.17275/per.26.57.13.4.

Vancouver

1.Arzu Derya Taşçı, Adnan Küçükoğlu, Hasret Nuhoğlu. Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module. PER. 2026 Jul. 1;13(4):231-50. doi:10.17275/per.26.57.13.4

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Enhancing Metacognitive Awareness and Problem-Solving Skills Through a Systems Thinking-Based Global Environmental Issues Module

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