DLL Journey
Let's Talk About Tech Baby....
My Experience with C.O.V.A
As an AVID teacher, COVA has been a part of my curriculum since day one. Students are choosing a college and career path based on interest assessments. From there, we create projects and research programs and institutes that fit their path. This program has given me more insight on how to prepare my students for the post-secondary education.
Where or when did you first realize that you genuinely had choice, ownership and voice through authentic assignments?
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What was your initial reaction when given the freedom and responsibility to choose to take ownership of your learning through an authentic project? Were you ready for this? If not or if so…what did you do? |
What did you do to adjust to this style of learning? Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently? |
Some students had mixed feelings toward promoting change in their organizations—how has your attitude toward leading change grown throughout the program?
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I first realized that I genuinely had choice in Digital Learning in Local and Global Context. This course is where I feel like I created the most authentic work. I loved everything about this course, but it was later in the program. My initial reaction with my freedom in creating my own projects was “What is the catch?” In most cases with teachers/professors, we say we want a student’s own creation, but then we are not open-minded to receive their interpretation of the projects. For most of the courses I felt this way. I love the freedom, but the very critical feedback led me to believe that in some classes the professors should have just said what they were looking for. I did not have to adjust much, just had to realize that I needed to be ready for questions regarding my homework submissions. Knowing what I know now, I would do a lot differently. I would go and purposely research students who were given outstanding reviews on their work, and see what the professors were looking for before completing technology assignments that take an immense amount of time.
Our district has always been forward thinking and innovative. This program just helped push my thoughts along. Although our district is 1:1, most teachers are still fearful of implementing technology into their classrooms. While my innovation planned started out as just incorporating Canvas, it has developed into training teachers on how to design meaningful work in an online setting, and taking the time to develop those assignments.
How does the COVA approach and Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) align or not align with your learning philosophy?
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How has your perspective on learning and your learning philosophy changed? If there hasn’t been any changes explain why.
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Knowing what you know now about the COVA approach how will you plan to use the COVA approach to create significant learning environments in your organization? OR will you not use the COVA approach and why?
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The COVA approach and Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) aligns with my learning philosophy in that I love the freedom of choice. It makes the creation process much easier when I am liberty to decide the approach I want to take in presenting my work. There have been no changes in my learning philosophy. This program was a nice relief from the traditional approach of teaching a class. The higher-level thinking was still there, but it was nice to be able to choose like I previously stated. I would like to think that my district is forward thinking and using, or should I say, allowing teachers the right to use the COVA approach in our classrooms. I love this method, and have used it for years. I have never been under the assumption that all children learn the same, so allowing them to choose keeps it interesting for me as well. My students are always allowed to create whatever presentation style fits their personality. I receive projects that were social media mock-ups, posters, skits, commercials, silent movies, music videos, etc. There is never a dull moment when students present what they have learned in my classroom.
Teachers have been preparing for this moment since students-centered learning was introduced. They complement each other, it is just taking that extra step in allowing the student to figure out how to demonstrate knowledge of the content. I would probably suggest have a professional development session with staff to show them how it works, and what type of rubrics should be created for students know what they need in each assignment to receive credit. Some of my colleagues are not ready to let go of the traditional method of teaching. They love to lecture and give notes, and follow up with a quiz or test. Breaking habits is the hardest task anyone has to face, but with time and proper training, I feel like everyone will be on board.
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