The Digital Learning and Leading program at Lamar University has introduced me to both COVA and CLSE. COVA standards for Choice, Ownership, Voice and Authenticity and it’s a learning method derived from a constructivist learning theory that aims to have students learn by creating experiences to learning material through meaningful, unique projects of the student’s choice (Harapnuik, Thibodeaux & Cummings, 2018). Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) is a concept that creates the most supportive, effective environments for learning to place; it is learner centered and boundless when deriving thee best possible environment for learners (Harapnuik, Thibodeaux & Cummings, 2017). At first these concepts scared me, but I have since shifted my mindset and allowed them to change the way I learn as well as influence my teaching.
When I started on this digital learning and leading journey I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I knew is that I wanted my master’s degree and this program allowed me to start the process without having two years of teaching experience. The COVA model was something that we were presented with right away. We were charged with the task of selecting a topic and presenting proposal for something we could implement to invoke change in our organization. Initially it was very difficult for me to be given so much choice in my learning. Being charged with selecting a topic that would change the landscape of my school was very intimidating. At first, I couldn’t come up with a topic because I felt like it needed to be this bomb that blew everything up. Not realizing that the smallest changes can sometimes bring about the greatest results. In the book The 4 Disciplines of Execution, it states it is important to do something you have never done before to accomplish a goal that you have not previously accomplished (McChesney, Covey & Huling, 2012). I finally settled on blended learning, specifically the station rotation model.
The COVA model allowed me to look at my learning philosophy and the connection between the two. COVA forces you to learn in new ways. The DLL program encourages collaboration and reflection from beginning to end. True learning happens when the student takes ownership of the learning process. As educators we need to create learning environments where students can independently gather factual knowledge and then transfer that factual knowledge into usable knowledge. To develop competence in a certain subject area students must have opportunities to learn with understanding (Donovan, Bransford & Pellegrino, 1999). In my short time as a teacher I’ve learned that the way we are teaching must change to keep up with the world around us. My learning philosophy directly impacts my teaching philosophy. Students learn in different ways and what I have learned is that I must tailor my teaching to make my students feel safe in the classroom. It is my job as a teacher/facilitator to make them feel safe. My learning philosophy is one is one where I believe all students should have ownership over their learning, but my teaching philosophy is one in which I must show my students why having ownership is important.
As a special education resource math teacher naturally, I must create significant learning environments. My students are at least two grade levels behind and have trouble learning in the traditional classroom setting. Peer-to-peer learning is a fundamental I will introduce to my students. People learn through their interaction and participation with one another in fluid relationships that are the result of shared interests and opportunity (Thomas & Brown pg. 50). By doing this I hope to help my students discover their voice. I tell my students just because they learn different from others doesn’t mean they do not learn. There is more than one way to get to a desired destination. The peer to peer learning gives students the opportunity to teach their peers as well as learn from them. Producing independent thinkers who have choice, ownership, voice and authenticity in their learning is my goal. Special education teachers need to think holistically to develop more well-rounded individuals. We must include lessons that have a personal connection to our students. Promoting learning outside the school setting can be done by incorporating content that connects the students to their community. My biggest challenge has always been and continues to be class participation. To tackle this challenge, I will continue to make my classroom a safe space. I will tell my students that we share a common goal of learning. I plan to learn just as much from them as they learn from me and each other. It may take some time for students to completely buy-in, but I anticipate the learning environment to shift drastically.
To create real organizational change there must be buy-in by the teachers as well. Often, teachers are reluctant to try new things in their classroom because they believe what they are currently doing works just fine. To begin the shift with my colleagues I would implore them to create their “why” statement. The why statement allows you to state your purpose. When implementing change, you must get others to buy into the fact that the change is needed. Also, that the changed is urgent and necessary. By implementing the blended learning model and giving them choice, ownership, voice and authenticity, we will create students who are critical thinkers as well as champions of their learning.
COVA and creating significant learning environments has challenged and changed who I am not only as an educator but also as a learner. COVA has pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to make deeper, more meaningful connections. I will continue to strive to be a better facilitator of learning for my students by giving them choice, ownership, voice and authenticity.
References
Harapnuik, D. K., Thibodeaux, T. N., & Cummings, C. D. (2018). Choice, Ownership, and Voice through Authentic Learning Opportunities. http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7291
McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 disciplines of execution: Achieving your wildly important goals. New York, NY: Free Press.
Staff, N. R., Donovan, M. S., & Bransford, J. D. (1999). How People Learn: Bridging Research and Practice. Washington: National Academies Press.
Thomas, Douglas, and John Seely. Brown. A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change. CreateSpace?, 2011.
Educational Leadership 