What term describes an awareness of one's own thinking processes while engaged in learning?

The term that defines an awareness of one's own thinking processes during learning is metacognition. This concept involves the ability to reflect on and control one's cognitive activities. It encompasses understanding how you learn, recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, and applying strategies to improve learning outcomes. Metacognition plays a crucial role in self-regulated learning, as learners monitor their comprehension and adjust their approaches accordingly. By being aware of their thought processes, learners can effectively plan, monitor, and evaluate their understanding and performance, leading to enhanced learning experiences. This distinguishes it from comprehension, which pertains specifically to understanding information, cognitive dissonance, which relates to the discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, and critical thinking, which focuses on analyzing and evaluating information rather than on the awareness of one's thinking processes.