1. Academic Rigor in the Classroom
Dennis Duncan
University of Georgia

2. 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

3. Assess our current understanding of rigor in the classroom

4. 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

5. Rigor - faculty Demanding Relevant Engaging
Addressing different learning styles
Self-challenge
Adaptability

6. Develop a set of best mgt practices for promoting academic excellence through rigor in the classroom

7. 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

8. 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

9. BMP - Assessment Low stakes evaluation Relevant evaluation
Evaluation of assigned material
Feedback – rapid

10. Develop strategies for establishing institutional goals for academic excellence and for documenting progress toward these goals

11. 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