Inclusive classrooms are becoming increasingly common in today’s education system. In these classrooms, students with disabilities receive instruction alongside their non-disabled peers. One strategy that has been effectively used in inclusive classrooms is peer-mediated instruction and intervention (PMII).
PMII involves pairing students with disabilities with typically developing peers who have been trained to provide academic or social support. The goal of PMII is to increase the active participation and engagement of students with disabilities in the classroom while also providing opportunities for typical peers to develop leadership skills.
There are different types of PMII strategies that can be implemented depending on the needs of individual students. For example, a student may require academic support such as help with reading comprehension or math problem-solving. In this case, a peer tutor can be trained to work one-on-one or in small groups with the student.
Alternatively, a student may need social support such as assistance with making friends or understanding social cues. In this case, a peer mentor can be assigned to work with the student during recess or lunchtime activities.
Students who act as peer tutors or mentors also benefit from PMII. They develop leadership skills and gain an increased understanding and empathy for individuals who have different abilities than themselves.
The success of PMII depends on careful planning and implementation by teachers and school staff. Training sessions for both the student receiving support and the peer tutor/mentor should occur before implementation begins. Additionally, ongoing monitoring and feedback are necessary to ensure that progress is being made towards achieving individual goals.
In conclusion, PMII is an effective strategy for promoting inclusion in the classroom by providing individualized academic and/or social support while also fostering leadership development among typically developing students. With proper planning and implementation, it has potential to create positive outcomes for all involved parties – including teachers!