23TRA045 Mediated Learning- A Framework of Strategies to Develop Efficient Thinking and Problem Solving Skills in Learners with Complex Needs Webinar Series

Date:        Wednesday 11th, 25th January and 8th and 22nd February 2023
Time:        7 pm - 8.30 pm
Venue:     Online via Zoom

Target Audience: Teachers (primary and post primary) who are teaching in specialised autism classes.

‘If you are not prepared to look at your pupils’ strengths, don’t touch their weaknesses’ (Reuven Feuerstein)

Are you teaching in an autism class? Do you want to learn a new approach that you can use flexibly in your interactions with students who have complex needs to improve their learning? If so, mediated learning training is for you!

This approach, informed by Vygotsky’s concepts of ‘scaffolding’ and the ‘zone of proximal development’ as well as Feuerstein’s theory of Mediated Learning Experience emphasise that change is possible and that all learners can develop their thinking skills when supported by a more experienced learner who interacts with them in a purposeful, intentional way, building their thinking and problem solving skills.

Below is a more detailed explanation of what mediated learning if required:

What is Mediated Learning?
Mediated learning is part of an teaching and assessment approach called Dynamic Assessment and comes from the work of the renowned Israeli Professor of Psychology, Reuven Feuerstein who through his work with children with complex needs developed innovative methods of testing and teaching that have been used worldwide. Feuerstein rejected the idea that intelligence was ‘fixed’ but instead believed that all individuals had the potential to change if provided with the right kind of interactions with key adults which he described as mediated learning. Through mediated learning interactions, learners can change the way they think, enabling them to develop the efficient thinking skills they need to become independent learners. While mediated learning benefits all learners, it has been shown to be particularly effective approach for children with complex learning, communication, social and emotional needs. The use of mediated learning strategies has also be shown to impact positively on the motivation levels and self-esteem of learners while improving the quality of interactions between them and the key adults in their lives.

The Workshops
The aim of these workshops is to introduce teachers to a flexible interaction approach they can use in their classrooms that will not only enhance students’ engagement in their learning but also help them develop important thinking and problem-solving skills. This is a practical course where teachers will have opportunities to watch mediated learning in practice, develop their own skills while working with colleagues who are also teaching in specialised autism class settings.

Workshop 1 is a short introductory session (45 minutes) that will cover the following:

• What is mediated learning and the theory behind this interaction approach?
• The research project-the rationale for it and what participating teachers will be required to do

Workshops 2 & 3 are 1.5 hours long and will cover the following:

• The 12 mediated learning strategies
• Watching mediated learning in practice using video footage
• Applying mediated learning in the classroom*

*Teachers will make 2 short video clips of themselves working with a student and use a rating scale to critique their use of the mediated learning strategies. The video clips will only be watched by the teacher.

Workshop 4 is 1.5 hours long and will focus on how teachers can use the mediated learning framework to develop an effective intervention plan for a student with complex needs.

Bio of Presenter: Helen Finnegan

The workshops will be delivered by Helen Finnegan, Educational Psychologist (NEPS) who has a special interest in the area of Dynamic Assessment and has completed the British Psychological Society approved Level 2 Training in Dynamic Assessment and Mediated Learning. Helen is completing a Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology through the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland which will explore the impact of mediated learning strategies on the learning outcomes of students with complex needs arising from their autistic profile.