Use of Kinesic Abilities within a Complementary Dyad in a Special Population.

This report discusses the outcomes of a project that investigated whether the Multiple Intelligences (MI) model could be used to address specific problems in learning in special population classrooms. Dyads were created in which two students were paired together who displayed opposite strengths and weaknesses on the eight independent multiple intelligences. Initially, one student who displayed strengths in the academic areas of mathematics and reading but was weaker in the area of emotional social skills was paired with another student displaying the opposite profile. A mathematics curriculum was designed and the two students worked interactively on the various mathematics activities. The use of the physical intelligences to address kinesic abilities was incorporated as a method of instruction using hands on activities, computer games, manipulatives, and movement activities. In a follow-up study, students (n=16) in two separate 9th grade special population science classes were paired as lab partners on a science project; one class was paired using MI skills assessments and the other class was paired randomly. Generally, students in the MI groups improved in their weak areas in both studies. MI groups scored higher in the concept area when there was higher student cooperation. (Contains 13 references.) (CR)