Mediated Learning Experiences
Mediated Learning Experiences
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Mediated Learning Experiences are types of interactions where a mediator (like a teacher or parent) intentionally shapes a learner's interaction with the environment to enhance learning and cognitive development. It involves structuring, selecting, and interpreting stimuli for the learner, guiding them to understand and generalising new concepts and skills.
This page aims to provide information about Mediated Learning Experiences and how they can be supported in schools.
The Zone of Proximal Development
The Zone of Proximal Development
What is Zone of Proximal Development?
What is Zone of Proximal Development?
Also known as Zone of Next Development, introduced by Vygotsky (1978), the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is defined as the difference between what the learner can achieve on their own and what they are able to achieve with the right support. Vygotsky believed that a learner will not achieve the same learning outcomes by themselves, compared to what they are capable of learning by engaging meaningfully with others.
Drawing from Vygotsky’s work, the term scaffolding was developed. Scaffolding is an approach in which a knowledgeable adult helps guide the child’s growth through completing small, manageable steps that allow the learner to gain an understanding of a topic or a skill, before gradually moving forward to more challenging tasks.
Image of the Zone of Proximal Development by Aberdeen City Council Educational Psychology Service adapted from the work of Vygotsky (1978).
YouTube Video from Helpful Professor Explains! which explains the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
What is a Mediated Learning Experience (MLE)?
What is a Mediated Learning Experience (MLE)?
It's a social process!
It's a social process!
Mediated Learning Experiences happen when a mediator and learner interact together and with a task.
Image of the Mediated Learning Experience by Aberdeen City Council Educational Psychology Service adapted from the work of Lauchlan and Daly (2023).
The MLE Triangle
The MLE Triangle
Mediated Learning Experiences emerge from the interaction between a carefully chosen task, a skilled mediator/teacher and the Learner's own cognitive processes - how they think and feel in the learning task.
Image of the Triad of Mediated Learning from Lauchlan and Daly (2023).
"Isn't it just teaching?"
"Isn't it just teaching?"
Teaching involves a wide range of skills and tasks. Mediating learning is one of these and takes place when the adult intentionally interacts with the learner and the task to change how a learner thinks or feels when learning.
Graphic created by Aberdeen City Council's Educational Psychology Service showing Mediated Learning Experiences set within a range of other teaching skills.
Three Essential Mediation Principles
Three Essential Mediation Principles
These three principles must be present for mediation to take place:
Graphic created by Aberdeen City Council's Educational Psychology Service showing the three essential principles of mediation, developed from the work of Lauchlan and Daly (2023) and Rachael Green (2000).
Mediated Learning Experiences aim to change how the learner thinks and how the learner feels when learning.
Mediated Learning Experiences aim to change how the learner thinks and how the learner feels when learning.
How the learner thinks
How the learner thinks
Cognitive Learning Principles and Child Friendly Language from Applying Dynamic Assessment in Schools - A Practical Approach to Improve Learning by Lauchlan and Daly (2023).
How the learner feels
How the learner feels
Affective Learning Principles and Child Friendly Language from Applying Dynamic Assessment in Schools - A Practical Approach to Improve Learning by Lauchlan and Daly (2023).
Want to explore this more?
Want to explore this more?
To explore the information presented on this page with an Educational Psychologist, please request a Systemic EIC. To find out how to request a Systemic EIC please click here.
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