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What is mediated learning?
Mediated learning, based on Professor Reuven Feuerstein’s work, is when an individual (a mediator) places him or herself between the learner and the stimulus. A mediator can be a loving grandmother who walks her grandchild through the steps of safely crossing the street to a trained individual who understands how the mind gathers information, processes the information and expresses the results of that thinking process. The mediator’s role is to influence the student’s perception and understanding of the world around him. As the student develops effective thinking processes and strategies, he is encouraged and taught how to implement this newly modified thinking capacity in daily life (school, office, home). The goal is for the student to become a motivated, effective and independent learner.
The Quebec Mediated Learning Centre (QMLC)
Students at the QMLC learn thinking skills and strategies to help with increasing confidence and motivation, effective planning behaviours, setting and achieving goals, and being more organized and independent when learning in and out of the classroom. Most importantly, students learn how to learn. The Centre aims to discover the untapped potential of each child and adult who comes to us with the, for example, some of the following issues:
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learning disabilities |
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"underachieving" (gifted learner) |
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impulsivity |
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executive function challenges |
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lack of organizational and thinking skills |
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low self-esteem |
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lack of motivation in learning |
The process
The first step is a dynamic assessment. In contrast to standardized testing, which accepts a child’s performance as the measures of his ability, the Centre’s assessment strives to discover the process of how the child learns, thus identifying which cognitive or thinking functions are underdeveloped and what can be done to modify them. Based on the results of the assessment a customized learning program is created for each individual.
The learning program, called Instrumental Enrichment (IE), is a program that builds and strengthens the thinking skills and strategies necessary for continued independence and motivation. IE seeks to sharpen critical thinking with the concepts, skills, strategies, operations, and attitudes necessary for independent learning. The proven benefits of IE are numerous:
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unlock a student’s potential |
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encourage independent learning |
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promote the use of effective thinking skills |
The Centre’s services can help children and adults of all ages in such areas as learning strategies for reading and writing, study skills, social skills and much more.
Contact: Ben at (514) 279-3666 ext. 238
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