It is argued that this is a vital part of solving problems in the real world. There is a basic question here of what the outcomes of the learning process should be. Conventionally these outcomes would be defined in terms of the knowledge and skills the student has acquired. Constructivists argue that experiencing and becoming proficient in the process of constructing knowledge is more important. In other words it is learning how to learn, how to construct and refine new meaning that is most important.
Problem solving involves the processes of reflecting on problems and searching for solutions.
Metacognition is the higher order process of reflecting on our own thinking and problem solving processes. Cunningham refers to this ability as reflexivity. Metacognition has powerful problem solving potential. If we are stuck with a problem we can reflect not just on the structure of the problem, but on the structuring of our approaches to the problem. We can then try to generate alternative, more productive strategies.