Thread by @karenraycosta

I have a few thoughts on rigor!

#HigherEd
#ToxicRigor

https://twitter.com/becksup/status/1461374197775675392

I don't disagree with anything in this piece. What I find really interesting is the assumption that those of us who are advocating for caring pedagogy, grounded in a balance b/t support and challenge, have at any point become less rigorous.

#HigherEd
#ToxicRigor

And that to me is the mark of #ToxicRigor. When someone points to flexibility, humanizing, and support and says, "You're dumbing things down" or "You've sacrificed rigor," there's just no evidence of that, so something else is up.

#HigherEd

And those somethings to me are ableism, racism, and classism. Caring pedagogy removes barriers to success and disrupts power structures. It opens doors. #ToxicRigor wants to keep those doors closed.

#HigherEd

I have had very close looks at the content and approaches of hundreds of faculty using caring pedagogy, and to imply that their courses are not challenging and rigorous is nonsense.

#ToxicRigor

So I guess my point here is that framing is critical. Naming the nonsense is critical. Calling out the gatekeeping is critical.

#ToxicRigor
#HigherEd

I also think we need to disentangle rigor/challenge from meeting deadlines. I know a lot of wicked smart people that can't meet a deadline to save their lives. They're all faculty.

#ToxicRigor
#HigherEd

And to that point, in my experience, if a student can meet a deadline, they'll meet the deadline. And if they can't, they won't.

Trust students!