Questions about how MIDDLE defines mediation, how data are handled, and what participation involves.
Mediation in the MIDDLE framework moves beyond literal cross-linguistic decoding. It encompasses relational, conceptual, and linguistic bridging — the active, intersubjective co-construction of meaning within and across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Where translation focuses on rendering a source text in another language, and précis exercises prioritise compression, mediation involves learners as social agents who adapt, explain, facilitate, and create new meaning in real-life task contexts.
All multi-site data are pseudonymized and stored in a centralized, secure institutional OneDrive repository governed by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board. Each participating country follows its own national ethics requirements in addition to the overarching Canadian framework. No personally identifiable information is shared across sites or retained beyond the project period.
Partner educators participate in professional learning communities, pilot one or two MAP scenarios in their classroom, facilitate participant surveys and reflective logs, and may take part in optional qualitative interviews. No additional financial commitment is required from participating institutions. Ethics clearance is managed at the project level through the University of Toronto.
Core terms used across MIDDLE’s research framework, MAP materials, and outputs. Terms are auto-linked throughout the site via the Glossary plugin.