It is imperative to prepare South African learners to participate and function confidently within the context of a rapidly changing world. The curriculum of the South African Education System emphasises the significance of optimising learners‟ cognitive development as early as pre-school age to enable them to become creative and critical citizens who lead purposeful lives in a safe and prejudice-free environment. Despite continuous efforts by educators to optimise cognitive development, recently executed research studies indicate that cognitive development has not been adequately optimised in South African schools. This study was undertaken to establish the cognitive development level (cognitive and meta-cognitive skills and strategies, cognitive functions and non-intellective factors) of Grade R-learners and to determine the effect of an intervention programme, the Cognitive Enhancement Programme for Pre-schoolers (CEPP), on their cognitive development. By means of a literature study, I investigated whether, to what extent the cognitive development of Grade R-learners was taking place, and established which cognitive and meta-cognitive thinking skills and strategies, cognitive functions and non-intellective factors are required for effective cognitive development among Grade R-learners. In addition to this, the role of mediation for optimising cognitive development was investigated. A concurrent embedded mixed methods design was conducted in the implementation of the research. Intervention research within a quasi-experimental research design was applied. The data collection by means of a quantitative strategy (quasi-experimental research) and qualitative strategy (observation study) was executed simultaneously. By means of convenient sampling, one Grade R-class with twenty learners was subjected to a pre-test to establish their cognitive developmental level. The test results as well as the observations conducted during the pre-test revealed that the learners experienced problems related to their cognitive development. Ten of the twenty learners were then divided purposively based on their test performance into two experimental groups, Experimental Group A and Experimental Group B consisting of five participants each. Experimental group A and Experimental Group B took part in the CEPP intervention based on the principles of mediation on a rotational basis over a period of twelve weeks, during which intentional attempts were made to optimise their cognitive development. Both groups completed a post-test and delayed post-test (retention) to determine the effect of the CEPP intervention on their cognitive development. In addition to the test results, observations in the form of structured running and anecdotal records and reflective notes were utilised to understand the nature and quality of the cognitive development of the learners better. Furthermore, the effect of the intervention on their cognitive development was established. The cognitive development of Grade R-learners who participated in this study was optimised, which is a clear indication that cognitive capacity can be optimised when instruction is based on the principles of mediation / PhD, Teaching and Learning, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

This diploma thesis deals with influence of Feuerstein's method of Instrumental Enrichment on didactics of elementary school teacher. The Instrumental Enrichment method is a very sophisticated strategy for developing individual cognitive structures. A person who helps develop cognitive structures acts as a mediator. These mediators are most often parents or teachers. So, according to Feuerstein, the teacher is not merely a knowledge builder, but he tries to develop his / her thinking and teaching potential. The aim of my work is to deepen the general knowledge of the influence of this method on teachers' didactics from the perspective of those teachers who work with it. To clarify in which areas didactics teachers perceive the impact of this method and how concrete changes are reflected. The theoretical part of the thesis introduces the author of the method, Professor Reuven Feuerstein, and the theoretical starting points from which his method is based. In addition, Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment Program is introduced, which is an application of mediated learning to pedagogical practice. It further defines the concept of didactics. The last part deals with available research on the influence of the method on teachers' didactics. In the empirical part, which is based on qualitative research...

This Master thesis aims to solve the question of developmentally-creative possibilities in the schooling process. This question is contextualized education of socially disadvantaged pupils. Because in shaping the learning competencies, this area is not developed enough and specific methods are somewhat rigid, it will be introduced one of the option how to to develop learning skills and abilities of the pupils , and which are in the teaching competencies deemed as essential. In this context will be introduced stimulatory and intervention program of Instrumental Enrichment as a concrete form of execution of Mediated learning and also as an effort of perspective innovation of curriculum. With the intention to point out the limitless possibilities of developing pupil's learning potential, the text focuses on the theoretical and conceptual bases, which constitute the entire program. The program is the instrumental set of tools that lead to the activation of cognitive structures and their subsequent enrichment. Therefore, except the theoretical foundations are also presented cognitive strategies metacognitive training that simplify cognitive modifiability, and that lead to the development of pupils' learning potential.

The thesis is concerned with the application of Feuerstein's theory of mediated learning experience to teaching in the first year of primary school. It summarises basic information about Feuerstein's work, the theories of mediated learning experience and structural cognitive modifiability. It also deals with the application of mediated learning experience to teaching in the first year of primary school. In this respect, it characterises the period of early school age and the role of the teacher. The central theme of the work, the theory of mediated learning experience, is an approach targeted at the process and structure of thought. The application of this theory is aimed at the individual's general cognitive development, especially the development of the thinking process. The principal goal of the thesis is to introduce the possibilities of applying the theory of mediated learning to teaching in school and thus contribute to the spread of this methodology only recently introduced to the Czech Republic, which can be considered a helpful and meaningful way to enrich teaching and support the children's cognitive development.

The dissertation thesis presents the results of a research project which focused on the application of mediated learning experience theory to teaching with respect to cognitive development of pupils. The first chapter introduces cognitive education, which concentrates on the process of learning. It also compares this approach with traditional methods aimed at the content of learning. The following parts of the thesis deal with selected theories postulated by Reuven Feuerstein which are important for understanding the context in which his other theory was developed: the theory of mediated learning experience. This theory is the central theme of the theoretical part of the thesis. Apart from its definition and parameters, the thesis presents specific recommendations for teachers about how to develop cognitive functions of their pupils by applying this theory directly in class. Afterwards, attention is paid to Feuerstein's well-known worldwide intervention program called The Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment. This program is used in the Czech school system, too. The essential part of this chapter introduces a number of studies which focused on the verification of benefits of Feuerstein's approaches to cognitive development in children and adolescents. The last chapter of the theoretical part...