Understanding the Mediated Learning Experience: Key to Dynamic Assessment

Dynamic Assessment (DA) utilizes a test–teach–retest methodology for evaluation, fundamentally relying on the Mediated Learning Experience (MLE). This approach delves into an individual’s responsiveness to MLE, effectively pinpointing potential areas of learning difficulty. Within the MLE framework, educators actively instruct learning strategies, meticulously observing their application to enhance learning outcomes. The ultimate objective of MLE is to cultivate learners who are not only self-reliant but also intrinsically motivated to learn independently.

Component	Description	Why	Sample Script (vocabulary)
Intentionality	Clearly stating the learning objective. Communicating the target skill and the rationale behind the MLE.	Fosters awareness and understanding of the learning goals.	“Today, we are going to focus on understanding specific names for things.”
Meaning	Emphasizing the relevance and importance of the learning goal. Directing attention to crucial task elements while filtering out distractions.	Enhances comprehension of the task’s significance and its real-world application.	“Using specific names is important because it helps us communicate clearly with others and understand each other effectively.”
Transcendence	Expanding concepts beyond the immediate context; introducing abstract thinking. Encouraging hypothetical and broader connections.	Promotes abstract reasoning and the ability to generalize learning to new situations.	“Specific names help us organize information and categorize things. Imagine if you asked for a ‘thing’ at a store; would they know what you needed?”
Competence	Developing strategic planning and metacognitive skills. Discussing appropriate contexts for utilizing the targeted skill.	Cultivates self-regulation and active engagement in the learning process.	“When I show you pictures, think about using specific names. In your classroom, remember to ask for things by their name.”

A cornerstone of MLE is the educator’s deliberate teaching approach. This involves careful observation of individual responses to instruction and adaptive adjustments to teaching methods based on these responses. Analyzing an individual’s reaction to a mediated learning experience offers direct and valuable insights for designing effective interventions.

MLEs are not just beneficial but essential to Dynamic Assessment. Understanding the components of a mediated learning experience is crucial for educators and therapists alike. How can we effectively design interventions that are grounded in the principles of MLE?

This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to:

Articulate and describe the core components of a mediated learning experience.
Develop and implement intervention plans that are rooted in MLE principles.

This course offers Continuing Education credit (ASHA CEUs or professional development hours) and is accessible via the ASHA Learning Pass or for individual purchase at a la carte purchase.