The "New" Rigor

The term rigor is widely used by educators to describe instruction, schoolwork, learning experiences, and educational expectations that are academically, intellectually, and personally challenging. Rigorous learning experiences, for example, help students understand knowledge and concepts that are complex, ambiguous, or contentious, and they help students acquire skills that can be applied in a variety of educational, career, and civic contexts throughout their lives. (http://edglossary.org/rigor/)

I understand what "rigor" looks like for the student. But what does rigor look like for the educator? 

21st Century students are equipped with the latest gadgets for communications, entertainment, and education. However, less is known about the tools for education and educators. The average educator is in the dark when it comes to social media applications. When students are assigned outside reading, reluctant readers find it more challenging to sit and read a book than to sit and chat with friends on social media. Why not give students a reason to use social media?

Provide students with opportunities to be creative and collaborative! Rigor does not mean boring or busy work. To prepare students for the next level, it will be important to expose students to real-world experiences. 

When considering the development of a learner-centered environment, think RIGOR (relevant, interactive, genuine, over-the-top, real). Teachers are the "new" rigor! 

Teachers must be willing to go the extra mile and prepare themselves to compete for the students time and attention. Children are curious by nature, we must be willing to think out of the box and create opportunities that are not "in the box."  We must think with "rigor" so that we can "help students understand knowledge and concepts that are complex, ambiguous, or contentious, and they help students acquire skills that can be applied in a variety of educational, career, and civic contexts throughout their lives."

To be continued, the "rigor" instructor...