5 Reasons Why You Won't Try Mediated Learning...But You Need To

When I first heard about Mediated Learning from my facilitator, I thought, "That's nice, Louis."

First of all, it sounded ambiguous.
Second, I was new to homeschooling. I was still trying to crystallize our reasons for homeschooling thatI didn't give much thought to taking on something new.
And thirdly, it sounded ambiguous. I know that's number one, but I don't always catch on very quick.

But once I started talking to Joyce and Louis (our facilitators) I realized that there was more to Mediated Learning. Let's take a look at some reasons and see if we can't find a way to make Mediated Learning work for you.

5 Reasons Why You Won't Try Mediated Learning....But You Need to

1. Ambiguous, Cryptic and Other Words Authors Use to Describe the Word Vague
Sometimes I have had a hard time nailing down a clear definition of Mediated Learning. When I first started sharing it with others I would use the core to try to explain...and then I would stumble on my words and try and give a relevant example. And then I would be quiet because I could tell people weren't getting it and I wasn't explaining it well.

Here's what it boils down to: Mediated Learning is about...drumroll...teaching your child to think and to examine their thinking skills so that they can change, adapt and learn in any situation.

2.Been There, Done That, Own-the-oodles-of-curriculum-that-I-bought-at-50%-off-but-have-never-used to prove it
Perhaps Mediated Learning looks like one more gimmick. An elusive promise that says you will be more organized, your house will be cleaner, your kids will listen better, you won't ever fight about math again and you will be able to make them the most well-mannered, thoughtful and God-fearing kids in the world.
Um....well.
All of that is possible. But it's going to take time.
It's going to take some time to learn how to incorporate this approach to enhance your child's learning. It's going to take some time to reflect so that you can recognize what is a spiritual issue, a character issue or a cognitive issue. But guess what? Mediated Learning can help in all those areas!

3. “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” -Albert Einstein
If you thought about saying, "I don't have the time to learn this" then you aren't alone. I thought so, too.
But then I gave it some thought. Anything that has VALUE to me, I make time for....
Wait, did I just say anything of value??? Isn't that a Mediated Learning principle? To infuse value and meaning into what my child is learning so that it has greater significance to them?

I think so!
If my children understand the meaning and value behind math, will they be more likely to use it?
I think so!
If I can see the value in teaching my children meaning in their learning, can I take the time to learn how to do this?
I think so!

4.There's a method to my madness, and I can only take so much madness
You're saying, "I have a method of teaching my kids (CM,unschooling,Classical, etc). We're happy with it. We're in a rhythm and I'm not changing horses mid-stream."
First of all, can I just say something: Who changes horses mid-stream? Obviously, this statement came about because someone once tried it, but seriously, who does that? Probably some city slicker all wet behind the ears. I don't expect you to be one of those!
Second of all and back on track to the matter at hand, you don't have to stop doing what you are doing in your home. If it's working for you, great! Consider this the sprinkles on the ice cream, the syrup on the pancakes, the cheese on the pasta...you get the idea!
Just add this in to what you are currently doing and enhance your daily learning.

5. Why haven't you started yet?

Possible answers:

a) I don't know.

b)How do I get started? At the beginning, of course!

c) There is no one to babysit my kids when the course is going on.

OK, very valid reason.

The questions I have for you are: do you get a babysitter when you want some quality alone time with your spouse?

Do you get a babysitter for when you need some time away for yourself?

Do professional teachers have days where they learn a course and update their skills?

Can you arrange for the kids to be babysat at the event?

Where there's a will, there's a way.

It's not, "It can't be done!" The question is, "How can it be done?"

Wait, did I just employ a Mediated Learning method used for problem solving?

I think so!

There you have it.

5 reasons why you won't try mediated learning...but you need to.

Just try it!