If we step away from the traditional school routine and give students authentic learning opportunities, we will open a whole new world of possibilities. The COVA approach promotes learners' choice and freedom in their experiences, ownership to control those experiences, voice to share their insights and opinions, and authentic learning via real-world experiences (Harapnuik,D., Thibodeaus, T. & Cummings, C., 2018) By using COVA, students will learn how to learn and gain necessary skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. There is more value in preparing students for life than merely preparing them for a test. We have to help them learn skills that will take them well beyond the content of one course. Combining significant learning environments (CSLE) and implementing COVA is the master key to developing true learning.
By transforming a course into a CSLE+COVA, students will become more connected and take ownership of their learning. This will allow the role of the teacher to become a coach. COVA is designed to change the teacher's role from "being the presenter of information to being a learning facilitator, a coach, and then a mentor” (Harapnuik, 2018) Giving up control and allowing students to step into the driver's seat, is how you transition to a true student-centered learning environment. As educators, that should be our main goal, to make certain that the learning is truly all about the learner. With that being said, we should hand over the reins and put the learning in the learner's hands with a CSLE+COVA approach to learning.
A few resources that have inspired my desire to incorporate CSLE+COVA in my classroom are
References
Harapnuik, D., Thibodeaus, T., & Cummings, C. 2018. COVA eBook. Available from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7291
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