COVA
Authentic learning occurs when an individual has the opportunity to learn and develop a skill by experiencing it first hand. The DLL master’s program has created a significant learning environment (CSLE) for students to grasp the concept of COVA by developing an eportfolio. COVA means there is choice, ownership, and voice, in authentic learning via relevant experiences to the learner (Harapnuik, Thibodeaus, & Cummings, 2018). It is based upon constructivist principles that help students learn how to learn. Having so much freedom in my learning and the development of my eportfolio has helped me make deeper connections to what I’m doing. Most importantly, it has reinforced why I am so passionate about digital learning and leading. In the COVA eBook, Dr. Harapnuik states, “the head won’t go where the heart hasn’t been” (Harapnuik et al., 2018). As I worked on the artifacts of my learning, I kept this quote in mind. Embracing the COVA Approach to learning, I had to see the bigger picture and make every part of this experience my own.
Growth Mindset
While creating my site, I ran into a few technical errors and my fixed mindset started to take over. Had we not previously covered the topic of Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck, I may have let negative thinking stagnate my progress. Instead of giving up, in spite of my frustrations, I made a choice to silence my fixed mindset voice. I took back control and made a plan to get caught up and have everything completed by the due date. Sacrifices were made and sleep was lost, but I achieved my goal! This experience helped me better explain the 4 steps of developing a Growth Mindset voice by sharing this anecdote with my students. Hearing a real-world example made the concept more relatable.
PLN’s
My circle of support also increased during the span of this course through engagement with new educator communities. My list of professional learning networks (PLN’s) seems small compared to what’s out there, but it is a good start for me. I’ve become involved with 2 technology-based networks that have helped me discover great tools to use in my classroom. FreeTech4Teachers has been the most beneficial thus far. I have taken time to read many of the articles sent to my inbox, although not daily. It has been a great resource when I needed guidance on digital activities. While viewing previous DLL graduates’ eportfolios, I also discovered more interesting communities to explore. It was a pleasant bonus to add to my list of ideas for improvements to my own site.
Learning Manifesto
In course 5302, I created my learning manifesto as a word document. I perceived a manifesto to be a very serious topic and felt that it was best to get straight to the point. It wasn’t until after I explored some of the professional eportfolio examples, that I realized that a digital format doesn’t have to take away from the value of the content. The bland word document that I typed in our first course was upgraded to a Microsoft Sway. I was strategic about the placement of multimedia and images to enhance the text. I made sure that my digitalization wasn’t distracting to the integrity of my ideas.
I have appreciated the opportunity to focus on improvements to my eportfolio with the choice and voice to make it uniquely mine. "It is important to have one's own space in order to develop one's ideas and one's craft. It's important that learners have control over their work-their content and their data." (Watters, 2018). I took ownership of my creative learning space and found ways to connect my learning to the real world. I have embraced the COVA approach to learning, amplified my growth mindset voice, both consumed and contributed to my PLN’s and initiated steps to enforcing my manifesto. In EDLD 5302, I laid the foundation for digital learning and in EDLD 5303, I took leadership of my learning.
References
Harapnuik, D., Thibodeaus, T., & Cummings, C. 2018. COVA eBook. Available from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7291
Watters, A. (2015). The Web We Need to Give Students. Retrieved from https://brightthemag.com/the-web-we-need-to-give-students-311d97713713
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