Academic Rigor in the Classroom Dennis Duncan University of Georgia
Objectives Assess our current understanding of rigor in the classroom Develop a set of best mgt practices for promoting academic excellence through rigor in the classroom Develop strategies for establishing institutional goals for academic excellence and for documenting progress toward these goals
Assess our current understanding of rigor in the classroom
Rigor - students Assists students in fulfilling predetermined outcomes and competencies by challenging them with high expectations. Essential components for rigor in the classroom: Content acquisition Critical thinking Relevance Integration Ability to apply concepts Long term retention Responsibility
Rigor - faculty Demanding Relevant Engaging Addressing different learning styles Self-challenge Adaptability
Develop a set of best mgt practices for promoting academic excellence through rigor in the classroom
Best Mgt Practices - students Writing (journals, varied levels of writing, writing across the curriculum, etc.) Problem-solving (case studies, group activities, essay exams, etc.) Oral communication (debates w/expert judges, summary presentations, role playing) Reading/comprehension (reading and analyzing – ie. in-class discussion, quizzes, summaries, etc) Collaborative group projects
Best Mgt Practices - students Directed study (with faculty) Socratic method/interactive discussion Knowing your students (contact, interaction, praise, showing interest, meeting w/students) Balanced diversity of methods
BMP - Assessment Low stakes evaluation Relevant evaluation Evaluation of assigned material Feedback – rapid
Develop strategies for establishing institutional goals for academic excellence and for documenting progress toward these goals
Review Assessed our current understanding of rigor in the classroom Developed a set of best mgt practices for promoting academic excellence through rigor in the classroom Developed strategies for establishing institutional goals for academic excellence and for documenting progress toward these goals