Estrategias metacognitivas para fortalecer el desarrollo de habilidades cognitivas del pensamiento crítico en entornos virtuales de aprendizaje

This study analyses the influence of metacognitive strategies on strengthening the development of critical thinking cognitive skills in virtual learning environments. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative data to understand both changes in cognitive performance and students’ perceptions and experiences. The results show significant improvements in skills such as analysis, inference, argument evaluation and learning self-regulation following the implementation of metacognitive strategies focused on planning, monitoring and evaluation. In addition, an increase in metacognitive awareness and students’ ability to manage their learning process autonomously in virtual environments was observed. The findings confirm that metacognition acts as a key mediator of critical thinking and that virtual learning environments, when designed with pedagogical intentionality, can promote deep, reflective and meaningful learning. This study provides relevant guidelines for the design of virtual educational proposals aimed at students’ integral development.