Rigorous instruction is a term used in schools across the county on a daily basis and is often misunderstood or vague in the educational setting. The working definition of academic rigor centers on assisting students in their ability to understand content that is complex, ambiguous, thought-provoking, and personally or emotionally challenging. In today’s schools, the term can be identified in content, instruction, and assessment, and is characterized by several common themes within the classroom: high expectations, relevance, and support. How do schools ensure this happens in every classroom—in every school—every day? This course will contemplate what rigor looks like in classrooms and across content areas. Course participants will identify specific pedagogical moves to increase classroom rigor and begin to employ strategies centered on a sound framework and systematic approach to teaching and learning.
This course is for professional development credit only. VirtualSC PD courses do not count towards any type of degree.
Week 1: Student Orientation
Week 2: Defining Rigor
Week 3: The Importance of Cognitive Depth and Relevance in Measuring Rigor
Week 4: Classifying Levels of Complexity
Week 5: Aligning for Rigor: Authentic Assessment
Week 6: Differentiation and Intentional Instructional Practice
Week 7: Student Motivation and Classroom Implementation
This is an advanced level course for teachers, literacy coaches, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists, or other school personnel. Participants are expected to have regular access to computers with Internet access. They will also need speakers and a microphone (or a headset or telephone) to participate in the Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Virtual Meeting sessions. In addition, participants should be proficient with browsing the Internet, uploading and downloading content, navigating to computer files, and with using word processing software, email, and attachments.
All materials in this course are the property of the South Carolina Department of Education Office of VirtualSC PD. All course materials needed/required for the workshop are available online.