Wordle

Is Prensky's idea of partnering realistic?  Could a teacher (particularly one faced with high-stakes testing, pressure to achieve AYP, etc.) realistically set up his/her curriculum and instruction to use this approach daily?  Why or why not?  What could you do as a school leader to foster the partnering approach?

Yes, I do believe Prensky’s idea of partnering is realistic in the classroom, despite high- stakes testing and AYP requirements.  Engineering the classroom, introducing 21^st century technology and individualized teaching strategies and achieving state standard requirements is possible. Using technology and other “new” strategies are to be used to enhance the curriculum, enhance teaching.  Getting students (and teachers) excited about learning with improve AYP.

Unfortunately, the pressure to succeed has increased so rapidly, it will take a group of leaders to help reshape the governments thinking.  As I mentioned before, countries like Finland were in a similar position as the U.S.  They had high- stake testing, but they also had very high suicide rates among their adolescent population.  The pressure that was on students was overwhelming and the government had to come to the realization, no one was actually learning.

Again, I do believe in Prensky’s ideas of partnering and I do believe students can still reach state standards with an increase in individualized teaching, but it will take more than the four of us in the Boston group to convince those in charge.  A strong school leader who has our same mind set is needed in order to make these changes.  If a strong leader can make these changes and have the data to prove its success, then hopefully changes can be made nationally.  Massachusetts has always been the leader in education and special education.  Our standards go beyond the national requirements.  If Massachusetts, like Finland can come to realization that standardized testing and memorization is not the proper way to make successful citizen, then perhaps the nation will follow.  For Finland, there is a very high respect for educators, something we do not have here.  I say, use Finland as an example; they are about the size of Massachusetts and they score at the top of the world as Massachusetts does when looked at separately from the U.S.  If you fail as a school leader by incorporating Prensky’s ideas in your schools, you would likely lose your job.  But, how could you fail if the whole purpose is heightening school learning and motivating students?  Increasing your investment in educating students can never be a failure.