Which of the following describes metacognition?

Metacognition refers to the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. It involves thinking about how one thinks, learns, and acquires knowledge. Assessing one's cognitive processes is a key component of metacognition, which allows individuals to monitor their learning strategies and adjust them as necessary. This self-regulation can lead to improved problem-solving and learning efficiency.

Exploring the other options provides context for this definition. Reflecting only on past experiences does not encompass the broader scope of metacognition, which includes active strategies for enhancing learning and understanding one's thinking. Rote learning is a memorization technique that does not involve reflective thought about how knowledge is acquired or processed, thus lacking the critical self-assessment that characterizes metacognition. While understanding the curriculum is important, it does not directly engage with the cognitive processes involved in learning and thinking; rather, it deals more with content knowledge than with the reflective practices of metacognition.