COVA Approach
By Angel Herring
Lamar University
5302 Concepts of Technology
How will COVA help?
The COVA learning approach will impact my learning by allowing me to learn my way. It applies to real-world learning. I am not used to having so much control over my own learning. I am used to the traditional learning and being told how and in what form to do things. I like structure and choices, so having more control and doing things with freedom will require me getting used to it.
Does the COVA approach appeal to you?
At first it did not appeal to me, because I am used to a certain way of doing things. I will get used to it and enjoy having the freedom to do differently. Having too many choices is also and issue at times. For instance, when a group of us want to go out to eat together, no one wants to make a decision because we all want to hear each others “voice” or opinion. So finally we have to narrow down our choices and basically take a vote.
C - Choice
When I was in high school we had basic information that we had to remember and then repeat on test day.
I really didn’t view the lack of freedom, “C” for choice as not being creative. I viewed it as the teacher wanted things a certain way and you do as you were told. It was respect and you followed instructions.
The freedom to choose “C” is both beneficial and a challenge. I like being able to turn in the assignments however we want, but it is also a challenge, because I have a hard time getting started. I work full-time and feel like this is a lot of work to do in one short week. We are told that we are supposed to stay until the job is done, so teaching full-time, requires lots of extra hours past the regular school day of 3:30pm.
O - Ownership
Taking “O” ownership of your work is important. I didn’t like doing group work in school because somehow I was always paired with someone that was either lazy or didn’t care. I usually had to do all the work. This is why I would “hold back” and didn’t want anyone to know that I was smart. I remember one time that I was paired with a great partner. I had a boy for a science partner. He didn’t like to write and I didn’t want to touch things. We made sure to pick each other when in that class. He dissected the frog and I wrote the report. He would tell me what to write and I made sure it was written correctly, and turned in on time. That was a great match.
V - Voice
In the previous example, we both had a “V” voice. It was great. It was difficult when you would work with certain people and they didn’t care or want to participate.
I remember a specific example from middle school where I did get out of the safe zone. I entered a history fair in seventh grade. My teacher, Mr. Rhodes, was wonderful and he had great ideas. He shared ideas with those of us that wanted to do a project for the school history fair and we worked hard on it. I won second place in the history fair and was able to go on an overnight trip to San Antonio with the other winners. That was worth all my hard work and effort.
A - Authentic Learning
Authentic learning is learning in real-life situations. It has help inspire creativity. It has helped me create things in a meaningful and useful way. While in this first class, I have been able to turn in my assignments the way that I want to do them. Using the COVA method, I have been able to use the program or software that I want, which has helped me expand my thoughts and get out of the usual way of doing things.
Why?
My “why” for taking this class is further my knowledge in technology. I want to apply for a technology position with my district when they have an opening at the elementary level. I love technology and it fascinates me what it can do and how it continues to advance. I want to share my knowledge with others to help them view technology is a tool, rather than something extra. I use all kinds of technology in my classroom and see technology as a tool. Some teachers view it as one more thing to do. I want to share my knowledge and skills with other teachers to help them change how they view using technology in the classroom. By getting a degree in technology I will learn more about the field of technology which will help me help others.
Incorporating COVA
The way I have incorporated COVA into my ePortfolio is using Google apps for all my assignments. I am Google Certified Level 1 and plan to take level 2 soon. I love using Google for all my documents, lesson plans, saving photos, etc. It is great to be at home and share lesson plans with your co-worker and both of you can work on them at one time. I like being able to turn in the assignments the way that I want to do them. It gives me freedom, sometimes it does become a challenge because I am unsure on how to start. Once I get started I like being able to freely complete my work. Google products are great because I can log in when and where I want to work on assignments. It is great to have ownership of my own work and do the assignment in the form in which I prefer. It makes working on it less stressful and I am able to showcase my answers in the way that I want to do them.
Beyond the Classes and Courses
The factors that would contribute to ePortfolio persistence beyond my program is I could use it for a prospective job. I could share the site an employer so they can see my skills, the course work, and give them information about what I have learned.
In the future classes, I hope to learn different types of technology, things that I can share with other teachers, and techniques that can be used in the elementary classroom.
Valuable Lesson
The most valuable lesson that I have learned so far is how to incorporate COVA into do the assignments. This is my first class and it has been a long time since I have had to turn in assignments. I was used to doing things a certain way and having a teacher guide you and tell you each step of the way. I have learned to have a choice, take ownership of my own work and decisions, voice my own opinions, and use it in an authentic way that helps me learn.
Impact Learning
The growth mindset, falling forward strategies, and the COVA Model will impact my learning as I continue in the program. They all work together for a better future. It is going to help you learn new material your own way. You can learn from your mistakes and not make them again. It will help you have a positive attitude when facing each of your challenges.
Resources
Dweck, Carol., (2008) Mindset: the new psychology of success, New York: Ballantine Books
Every Child Needs a Champion by Rita Pierson, retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=463&v=SFnMTHhKdkw
Harapnuik, Dwayne. 2018. Digital Learning & Leading. Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7012.
UDL Guides Personalized Learning. Retrieved from http://www.personalizelearning.com/2013/06/udl-guides-personalized-learning.html