The Math Tutor 4 U

Guided questioning is a technique used by educators to lead a student to new learning using a series of questions. Educators who use guided questioning effectively frame learning tasks around these questions to helps learners expand their knowledge and to give learners a connection between the classroom and the real world. Guided questioning works because it incorporates an active method of instruction rather than a passive method. With passive instruction, information is force fed to learners and are not given much freedom to be creative in the learning process. With active instruction, learners are given the opportunity to investigate, make new discoveries, and create new meaning. With guided questioning, an educator asks the questions and provides backgroun information. The learner then investigates, analyzes, and demonstrates knowledge of the underlying concepts. In this way, educators can create an environment of inquiry, where real world problems are discussed and contemplated.

The video below gives a good explanation on how guided questioning works with students.

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.

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