Several people have asked me “What is mediated learning”?  I have written several academic papers on this topic. However, I below I have provided an explanation using less complicated terminology.

Mediated Learning is a method of instruction developed by Dr. Reuven Feuerstein. During mediated learning, a mediator – a parent, teacher, or someone with a vested interest in the learner’s life – provides a suitable stimulus (homework, test, assignment, etc.) and then observes the learner’s response to the stimulus. Based on the response, the teacher interacts with the learner (praise, criticism, encouragement, grade, new assignment, for example) and the process is continued until either the teacher or the learner is satisfied with the learning experience.

The advantage of using mediated learning is that students learn new concepts and how to apply those concepts in different situations. In other words, students learn how to actively construct new knowledge. Many educational psychologists agree that students who have good construction skills are better equipped to handle higher level math and science courses. This is also a skill that can be extremely useful when preparing for college-level and standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, etc.

My reason for using mediated learning to tutor students is simple: the technique is proven to be effective in the classroom and for one-on-one tutoring. I have used mediated learning for a number of tutoring sessions and I have seen students make significant gains in their learning. I have also studied mediated learning extensively during my graduate studies at the University of Southern California.

If you would like to see the power of Mediated Learning, please take a few moments to watch this video: