The COVA learning approach, "choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning opportunities" (Thibodeaux), is something I haven’t experienced as a learner or teacher. When I heard about COVA, I thought that I had incorporated some of the tenants in my classroom. As I’ve learned more about COVA and personalizing a learning environment though, I’ve realized that the steps I’ve taken have been helpful; however, they are lacking in following the principles that COVA and Personalized Learning are built upon. A recent read, “Personalize Your Learning Environment” has been very helpful in revealing just exactly how one goes about creating a significant learning environment where COVA exists. When I used the links and started to peruse the Personalize Learning site, one of the many items that grabbed my attention was the Personalization v. Differentiation v. Individualization chart. I realized that I’ve been using much of the latter two and a tad of the Personalization.
As a learner, this is hard for me. I’m used to seeing assignments that are specific in what is to be included and how the product should look; there are formats to be followed, the teacher’s expectation of what is to be produced is clear, and models are readily available. It is true that the in this course, expectations for assignments are communicated clearly. It’s all that freedom though that makes me feel a tad wobbly. I’m left wondering if I’m doing the assignment correctly or not and it’s an uneasy feeling. Knowing that my coaches, my instructors, are available to give guidance and support takes care of it though.
As a teacher, I see that practicing the COVA approach through my coursework as I work towards my Master's Degree, is invaluable to me as I begin to consider the possibilities for my own students with COVA and a Personalized Learning Environment. Having been the student in this type of learning will give me the experience I need to help support my students I’ll be coaching.
The COVA model appeals to me very much and it’s the reason I’ve chosen DLL. I’ve spent so much time in trainings about modeling everything, “I do, we do, you do”, and planning that put careful consideration into Webb’s Depth of Knowledge, creating "good questions" that basically held students’ hands as they crafted their responses. It’s not working. So many of our kids are disengaged and are not actively and authentically involved in their learning and this is exactly why I’m so excited about the changes I’ll be making in my teaching and my students’ learning.
Bray, B., & McClaskey, K. (2014, June 11). Personalize your learning environment. Retrieved December 5, 2018, from https://www.iste.org/explore/ArticleDetail?articleid=11
Thibodeaux, T. (2017). A Learner's Mindset..... Retrieved December 8, 2018, from http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=515
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