Feuerstein's Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) Theory

The mediated learning experience (MLE) theory is based on the idea that all people can develop their learning potential. Read on to find out more!

Today, many experts are still studying and asking themselves the following intelligence-related question: is it innate or acquired? Psychologist Reuven Feuerstein had a very clear answer to this question. Although he didn’t discuss the biological part of human intelligence, he argued that all people have the ability to develop their intelligence through the so-called mediated learning experience.

Reuven Feuerstein and universal cognitive modifiability

A native of Botoşani, Romania, and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, Feuerstein dedicated most of his life to education and to people with major learning difficulties. He’s the author of brilliant theories, such as structural cognitive modifiability and mediated learning experience (MLE).

Based on this, he developed the known Learning Propensity Assessment Device along with the creation of modifiable environments.

What’s the mediated learning experience (MLE) theory?

Following his experience working with people with minimal education levels, Feuerstein concluded that their performance can eventually change through cognitive processes. In other words, all people can develop their learning potential.

Now, based on this premise, Feuerstein formulated his mediated learning experience (MLE) theory. MLE refers to the quality of the interaction between the learner and the mediator, where the mediator selects, expands, and interprets the student’s learning process.

In other words, the educator acts as a mediator in the teaching-learning process. However, for Feuerstein, mere supervision and interaction between student and teacher aren’t enough to make the mediated learning experience occur. Therefore, a responsible, affectionate, knowledgeable, and competent mediator needs to be the intermediary between the student and the mediated learning experience.

In addition, according to expert Silvia Ester Orrú, for quality mediated learning to occur, the mediator must part from positive intentionality. In other words, from the basis that every human being’s learning potential is modifiable.

Advantages of the mediated learning experience

• Awakens the students’ interest in participating in the learning process.
• Enhances student learning, even when they have poor performance.
• It helps regulate and control behavior, as students learn to retrieve previously learned knowledge to use and reason it cohesively.
• Encourages students’ active and collaborative participation, through interaction and motivation suggested by the mediator.
• It originates the psychological individualization and differentiation of each student, as they’re considered active participants of their learning, capable of thinking independently of the rest of the group.
• It helps students focus on reaching their future goals. In other words, the mediated learning experience encourages the search, planning, and achievement of goals in individuals.
• This learning develops divergent thinking in students, as well as intellectual curiosity and originality.

Finally, in order to achieve the cognitive development that Feuerstein exposes in his mediated learning experience (MLE) theory, we mustn’t forget the main idea of this educational philosophy. The mediator must believe in their students’ ability to change, making them see their learning potential.