Op+Ed+-+Rigor+in+Online+Education

Can Rigor and Online Learning Walk Hand-in-Hand? One of the concerns of traditional educators in regard to online education is a loss of rigor within the instruction. Personally I believe that rigor is important in any classroom regardless of whether the classroom is totally face to face, blended or in a totally online environment. There is a good deal of information on this topic currently available. First the question that must be answered is, “What is rigor and why do we need it?” Usually we think of rigor as the difficulty of the class but, after reading various sources, I would like to put forth a new idea that should be incorporated in rigor. This idea is an inclusion of skills that our students will need to be successful in the workplace. Skills such as critical thinking, working in cooperative groups not just being a silent partner but a cognitive wheel that influences the outcome of the product, ability to ask the “right” questions that focus on the key points in a situation to determine a solution, adaptability to changing situations and the courage to try new solutions as well as the traditional skills of oral and verbal communication. Many companies feel they can teach the basic technical skills; they are looking for learning skills. For more on this read the following article from **//Educational Leadership//** – __Rigor Redefined__ []. To accomplish this type of rigor, both an online or traditional classroom, require many of the same changes. First, a breaking of traditional paradigms must occur. Gone is the traditional classroom setting that is teacher centered. The use of step by step instructions and worksheets as well as student dependency on the teacher to answer questions stifles creative and critical thinking processes. Instead it must be replaced with situations that require the students to interact with each other, think through the situations and eventually come up with a solution or explanation. If anything, this might be easier to do in an online classroom for the following reasons. First, the technology is readily available in the online classroom but is often not so accessible in a traditional classroom. Secondly, the teacher in an online classroom is not quite so quick to answer questions (they are not literally standing there) so the students have to problem-solve on their own. Third, through the use of threaded discussion boards, it is easier to determine if everyone is participating in the problem solving process. In online courses, many students feel more comfortable participating in group discussions. With the asynchronous format that is used for many discussions the students are not required to “fire from the hip” when answering a question but first may think about their answers and, if necessary, do some research before answering. Also, some students who would not speak in a face to face classroom find the anonymity of online discussion boards less intimidating. Lastly, the use of threaded discussion boards allow everyone plenty of time to enter the discussion so everyone’s ideas may be included. Even if someone is soft-spoken, their ideas can be heard. As students must often solve their own problems, or solve them with other students as opposed to the instructor, students experience an increase in self-motivation and in their confidence levels in online courses. As they solve problems that present themselves along the way they are experiencing a situation that parallels real-life work problems. By having to think on their feet, utilize the trial and error method of problem solving and try new innovative solutions students are gaining real world experiences that they will take into the workplace. The rigor of course content should be reviewed and approved by the accrediting association for the institution offering the online course. The content should satisfy the same objectives and standards whether it is online or in a traditional classroom. Common cumulative assessments should also be utilized to determine if students taking the course in any environment come away with the same basic content as well as appropriate critical thinking skills. So, in answer to the question, “Can Rigor and Online Learning Walk Hand-in-Hand?”? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” and online learning may even do it better than the traditional classroom. Whether you listen to the news, the speeches for potential political candidates, economists, or our business leaders the all speak of the need to better educate our population. The topic comparing our educational progress to the educational progress of other countries is constant and our need to compete in the global marketplace is necessary for our survival. To accomplish both the educational and economic needs our country has for survival in the global community of nations, we have to change our methods of education. Will the first online courses be the very best they can be? NO, probably not. We all understand the time that disruptive innovation requires for a quality product to be produced but education must begin that process. Instead of poking holes in education’s attempts to make instrumental changes in instructional format we need to support the changes and embrace the changes as they are made. This is the only way education can improve. Anyone who thinks education should be static is already behind!! The train for online education has already left the station – educators should get onboard or they will be left behind! For more information on rigor in online learning follow the links below to other sources. Resources for Rigor in Online Learning [] Getting Smart – Using Technology to Incorporate Rigor in Online Education [] [] [] []
 * //The Technology Source//** Archives at The University of North Carolina
 * //Educational Leadership//** – Rigor Redefined
 * //The Virtual Learning Consultant//** – Examining Rigor in Online Content
 * //Online Universities – Weblog//** – Rigor in the Online Classroom: Practical Considerations