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Griff Wigley's avatar

Eva, on your Cheatsheet, I see your directive to AI chatbot to analyze your metacognition log/journal.

I like this idea, but I'm curious about the pros and cons of using an ongoing AI thread as a place for your log/journal. One advantage would be getting quicker feedback as if you were showing your coach your journal after each session.

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Eva Keiffenheim MSc's avatar

Great question Griff! Using an ongoing AI thread as a metacognition journal has some clear advantages—namely, instant feedback, pattern recognition, and structured reflection without friction. It’s like having a cognitive coach available 24/7.

However, as you mention, there are also trade-offs. AI excels at identifying patterns in learning logs, but it lacks the deeply personal context that self-reflection brings. There’s also a risk of over-relying on external feedback rather than strengthening your own metacognitive awareness.

One potential hybrid approach:

1) Self-reflect first – Write your thoughts before AI input to strengthen your own processing.

2) Then, let AI analyze – Have it highlight blind spots or suggest improvements.

Refine with human intuition – Decide what resonates and tweak your strategies accordingly.

This way, AI enhances metacognition rather than replacing it. Curious—how do you approach tracking and refining your learning?

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Griff Wigley's avatar

I like your hybrid approach. I could add reflections as often as I wanted, but I could tell AI something like, "Here is my reflection from today's practice. But I don't want you to comment on it just yet."

I chatted with Claude about this, and he (hah!) liked it and added:

"You could also use different levels of feedback. For example:

Level 1: Just highlight patterns the AI notices

Level 2: Add specific questions to help deepen your reflection

Level 3: Full analysis with suggestions"

I am planning to implement this, either in Claude Projects or in Notebook LM, to see which I prefer.

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Eva Keiffenheim MSc's avatar

I love these additions! Thanks for sharing!

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Griff Wigley's avatar

Eva, I'll first answer your question about how I approach tracking and refining my learning for mountain biking skills practice.

(After reading your post, I'm now thinking of reflection as one component of metacognition.)

My reflection practice:

* I jot brief notes in a phone app during breaks in practice or immediately afterward.

* Hours later I expand on these notes in a hand-written journal. I sometimes review these entries before I plan my next practice session

* If I'm practicing with one or more riders, we'll often engage in conversation about what we're doing/trying/learning/wondering about.

* I'll sometimes discuss my reflections with other riders online, either in a one-to-one chat with a riding buddy or in a forum thread with a group of riders.

I plan to continue these habits, but I'd like to add more depth and structure with AI.

FYI, I've published 5 Substack posts about the practice of reflection over the past couple of years:

https://mtbpracticelab.substack.com/t/reflection

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Eva Keiffenheim MSc's avatar

That sounds super rigorous —layered, intentional, and embedded in both solo and social learning. I’ll check out your Substack pieces—reflection is such an underrated skill.

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