The Need for Cognition and Meta-learning Competence among Students of Teacher Education at the University Level

Cognition and meta-learning competencies are important elements in teacher education programs. The research presented was aimed at discovering the link between the need for cognition and meta-learning competence. The research sample comprised 250 students of teacher education in their first-year of study for the degree of licencjat (Bachelor’s equivalent) and magister (Master’s equivalent). Research findings demonstrate the existence of 1) a correlation between the students’ need for cognition and their meta-learning competence, 2) differences between students at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level of education with regard to their expressed need for cognition and meta-learning competence (including subcomponents of the latter) which suggests that these needs and competencies develop over the course of their university education.