Jessica Cavallaro 
In today’s fast-paced educational landscape, the pursuit of academic excellence often leads to the adoption of rigid and repetitive teaching methods. These traditional approaches emphasize rigor, characterized by a heavy focus on academic content and the relentless completion of repetitive tasks. While rigor aims to prepare students for academic success, it often comes at the cost of their enthusiasm and curiosity. In contrast, a classroom environment that emphasizes vigor fosters a “learning energy” that is infectious, deepening students’ understanding and fueling their passion for learning.
Repetitive Work vs. Engaging Exploration
Rigor is often synonymous with repetitive work that demands adherence to strict schedules, standardized tests, and academic content without room for exploration or creativity. In some educational circles it is the norm to brag about the rigor of their courses and the work required for students to pass. While routine can be useful in developing discipline and organization, excessive repetition can lead to student burnout and diminish the joy of learning. Rigor tends to refer to a more “drill and kill” philosophy of education that is not meeting our current students where they are.
On the other hand, vigor embraces engaging exploration and inquiry-based learning. Vigor means that students are provided opportunities to “play” with their knowledge, apply it in unique ways and deepen their understanding of facts in different contexts. Agile classrooms focus on encouraging students to question, explore, and discover knowledge independently. This approach kindles curiosity and allows students to connect with their interests, making learning a dynamic and exciting process.
Compliance vs. Critical Thinking
Rigor often revolves around compliance, with teachers setting rigid rules and guidelines that leave little room for divergent thinking. Students may feel pressured to conform to predefined methods without fully understanding the underlying concepts. These classrooms are often set up where the students are passive in their learning and the teacher controls the flow of information. These classrooms tend to encourage one way of thinking and learning with established “right” answers.
Vigor, however, prioritizes critical thinking skills. Agile classrooms emphasize problem-solving and independent thinking, encouraging students to question assumptions, analyze information, and develop innovative solutions. As a result, students become active participants in their education, developing a deeper understanding of the subject matter. One of the main ways Agile classrooms promote vigorous learning is through the use of Wide Open Questions. These are questions that launch a unit, immediately engaging students because there is not one “right” answer and students have an opportunity to find their own solutions. The use of Wide Open Questions grab students attention because they are not “google-able”, but they also allow students to personalize their learning. Students can answer the WOQ however they would like, as long as they use content to support their ideas. This process of searching for and finding unique answers promotes understanding of content and overall vigor in the classroom.
Constrained Learning vs. Growth Mindset
Rigor tends to create a fixed mindset, where students feel judged solely by their grades and struggle to see the value in making mistakes. The fear of failure can lead to a decline in curiosity and motivation, hindering the development of a growth mindset.
Vigor fosters an agile mindset, encouraging students to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Agile classrooms celebrate effort and perseverance, promoting a positive learning environment that embraces mistakes as essential steps towards progress. This cultivates resilience and a passion for learning, enabling students to explore new subjects fearlessly. In Agile classrooms students are tasked with solving a complex Wide Open Question. In teams they propose solutions as they work through the content, often having to reflect and change course when new information comes to light. This teaches students, not only the content, but how to pivot when new information comes to light, and adapt to changing circumstances. The vigor of an Agile classroom develops from the students actively working with content and having daily opportunities to apply it.
Embracing Agility in Education
To cultivate vigor in the classroom, many educators have embraced Agile methodologies, originally developed in the software development industry. An Agile classroom emphasizes adaptability, flexibility, and student-centered learning. By utilizing Agile principles such as iterative development, continuous feedback, and collaborative teamwork, educators create an environment that supports curiosity, creativity, and exploration.
Agile methodologies enable educators to tailor the learning experience to the unique needs and interests of each student. By introducing shorter cycles of learning activities and providing regular opportunities for reflection and adjustment, Agile classrooms empower students to take ownership of their education. The iterative nature of Agile learning allows for the discovery of multiple approaches to problem-solving, encouraging students to embrace failure as an essential part of the learning process. This fosters a rigorous learning experience where students develop resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset, vital qualities for success in the 21st-century world.
The adoption of Agile methodologies and the infusion of vigor into the classroom offer numerous benefits for students. First and foremost, Agile classrooms create an environment where students feel motivated, engaged, and inspired to learn. The emphasis on collaboration and teamwork cultivates essential social and communication skills, preparing students for future challenges in the professional world. Furthermore, the focus on continuous improvement and adaptability ensures that students develop a lifelong love for learning and remain adaptable in an ever-changing society.
In the pursuit of effective education, it is crucial to shift the paradigm from rigor to vigor. Rigor, with its repetitive tasks and narrow focus on academic achievement, often leaves students exhausted and devoid of curiosity. Embracing vigor, on the other hand, creates an atmosphere of energy, enthusiasm, and deepened understanding. By adopting Agile methodologies, educators can transform their classrooms into vibrant learning ecosystems, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a genuine passion for knowledge. Let us reimagine education with a commitment to vigor, nurturing agile classrooms that empower students to become lifelong learners, capable of navigating the complexities of the world with confidence and happiness.
