About the Course
Cognitive Key-1 is a cognitive intervention program for young children and special needs learners of all ages that can be applied in a one-on-one setting or in the classroom. The program develops children's cognitive functions foundational for attentive perception and comparison of shapes and objects, acquisition of number sense, orientation in space, and social-emotional skills. For children with special needs, Cognitive Key-1 is used as a remediation program, while for higher-functioning learners, it is utilized as an enrichment program.
Course Syllabus:
Theories of development;
Introduction to the theory of mediated learning experience;
Analysis of emergent cognitive functions in regular and special needs populations;
Criteria and principles of mediation;
Goal and sub-goals of the clinical and educational application of the FIE Basic program;
FIE Basic Lesson planning and preparation of bridging exercises;
Comprehensive instruction in the use of the following instruments:
Organization of Dots, From Unit to Group, Orientation in Space, Detecting the Absurd 1, and Identifying Emotions.
The mastery of the Cognitive Key-1 theory and instruments is evaluated by means of a questionnaire presented to the course participants on the last day of the course.
Prerequisites
No prior Feuerstein training required; reading of theoretical material recommended.
Learning Materials
Course participants will receive a set of Cognitive Key-1 instruments, a Teaching Diagrams booklet, and the User’s Guide.
Certification
Course participants will be awarded a Certificate of Cognitive Key Mediator Level 1 upon successful completion of the entire course requirements. The certificate is valid for four years from its issue date and is renewed subject to the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) conditions: a. Submittal of a verification form of Cognitive Key implementation to Feuerstein Institute (available here) reflecting at least 30 hours of work with Cognitive Key instruments; b. Participation in annual lectures using e-learning, including successful completion of a questionnaire about the material presented in the lectures, or participation in annual “live” CPD seminars organized by local Authorized Training Centers, or attendance of additional Feuerstein courses.
Course Trainer
Deena Beard
Deena Beard has been a Feuerstein Mediator since 2002 and became a trainer in 2006. She has trained for the institute both abroad and in the United States. She currently trains Orthodox groups of teachers in upstate New York. Her undergraduate degree is in Psychology and she completed her MAT as a Reading Specialist in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2009, she developed a Cognitive Skills collegiate-style curriculum for the Home Educated population. The class utilizes FIE materials, MLE, and study materials to increase the efficiency of learning and academic performance. Deena has seen hundreds of home educated students benefit from following the Feuerstein path of self-mediation with a mindset of growth resulting in enhanced thinking with focused study. She freely shares the format of this class and has been thankful to see successful duplication of it in other states. Deena has four children and four grandchildren so far. She resides in rural Kentucky with her husband.
