ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, March 21st, 2012 – Educators will now be better-able to identify the cognitive deficiencies which contribute to learning and behavioural problems in students as they undergo a two-week dynamic assessment from the Feuerstein Institute - International based in Jerusalem, Israel.
Facilitated by Professor Dr. Louis Falik and his wife, Mrs. Marilyn Falik, the Learning Propensity Assessment Device (LPAD) Workshop will teach guidance counsellors and educators an approach to help students retain, understand and learn in the classroom while overcoming existing or potential learning deficiencies.
Dr. Falik is a Professor Emeritus of San Francisco State University and a senior research and development associate at the Feuerstein Institute- International.
Using the Feuerstein’s Method, Dr. Falik will teach local educators LPAD so that they can understand what learners need to know and how to develop interventions for affected students.
LPAD is a procedure using a set of specially designed instruments enabling one to evaluate the learning process and identify an individual’s cognitive functions (thinking actions), operations and problem solving strategies. The LPAD is based on Feuerstein’s theory of Structural Cognitive Modifiability which proposes that intelligence is dynamic and modifiable, not static or fixed.
Special Education Officer in the Department of Education Ms. Lorna Dawson said, “Educators will learn how to mediate and engage students in learning so they can make sense of stimuli or any material they come in contact with in the environment.”
Ms. Dawson revealed that guidance counsellors were the ones who requested the training because, “more and more they have to deal with children whose needs they were unable to address particularly as it relates to retaining and understanding academic content and behavioural issues.”
Guidance Counsellors, teachers, staff of the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, staff from the Student Services Centre and education officers are in attendance.
Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn in his remarks at the opening ceremony held on March 19, applauded the zeal showed by the guidance counsellors for requesting the training
He said, “This desire to find solutions to the challenges they face each day on their jobs is exactly the type of enthusiasm that we all need as a community while we strive towards our goal of creating a culture of excellence in our education system.”
The Minister extended his thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Falik for “sharing their expertise with us as we continue to shape our education system and prepare our young people to be competitive in today’s world.” He also thanked Ms. Dawson, “for spearheading this very important venture and being the consummate advocate in getting our educators and others trained in the areas needed to reach all our children but especially our differently- abled children.”
Professor Falik presented Minister Walwyn with a copy of the book he co-authored titled, “Beyond Smarter: Mediated Learning and the Brain’s Capacity for Change,” and stated that it is the current best-seller at the Teacher’s College Press.
A live demonstration using the dynamic assessment will be held today at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at 10:45 and continues at 1:30 pm. The public is invited to attend.
The intensive LPAD Workshop being held from March, 19 – 30 at the HLSCC Marine Centre intends to change participants’ perception of a child’s capabilities and reveal the hidden potential in the students.
The Ministry of Education and Culture supports human capacity training that enhances the learning process in students and the education system as they strive to “Create a Culture of Excellence.”
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