I ran across this blog posting the other day. I am always happy to see others write about the true meaning of rigor. The word rigor is so often viewed as work that is more, or harder, is so much more. As the author of the blog noted, "What really counts is what we expect students to do with the learning that is presented to them. Do we expect them to think about the learning and interact cognitively with the experience? Or do we just expect them to cover lots of content and repeat what someone else has learned."
During my recent chat over at teachers.net, I was asked why not use a different word, like vigor, instead of rigor? I use the word rigor because that is what is commonly used, albeit with different meanings. I am choosing to reclaim the word rigor for teachers. Remember, rigor is creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels, is supported so he or she can learn at high levels, and each student demonstrates learning at high levels. In other words, rigor is helping each student learn and become more than when they started. Isn't that what teaching is really about?
I agree with you on this. I just had a similar conversation via Twitter with a teacher. I get nervous when people want to pooh pooh rigor because often a teacher that says rigor is a buzzword is the same one who's giving out worksheets to the students the next period.
ReplyDeleteI think that some people don't like "rigor" because it is not concrete enough for them. Rigor is different for each student. As a result, to present rigorous content, you have to differentiate which equals more work for the teacher. I think this is, possibly, why some teachers want to shy away from the word.
Vigor, on the other hand, means you can be enthusiastic and meet the standard. I'm not sure that's enough.