In the Lamar University's Digital Learning and Leading Master's program, the focus is on giving students choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning by creating significant learning environments. This approach is referred to as COVA. I completely agree with Dr. Dwayne Harapnuik in saying that, "It's never been a better time to be a learner (Harapnuik, 2018)." Over a decade ago, when I was in school, there were very few opportunities for me to have choice or voice in my learning and authentic, relevant, learning only occurred a few times. As a student in the DLL, I am more engaged in my learning than I've ever been all because of the COVA approach and the Constructivists theory that it models.
In order to succeed in this program, you must comprehend the intent. Through the COVA approach the DLL professors have changed the focus of learning from the curriculum and content to the learner. Learning is truly placed in the hands of the learner by giving students ownership in the process. Every assignment, as well as delivery of the content, is structured to give students experience through application of the topic at hand. This creates authentic learning experiences that helps make meaningful connections to the learning. By creating a learner centered environment, the DLL program has made a master's program in which a student can feel deeply connected. To be successful in this program you have to be an active learner.
The DLL program also envelops constructivists' ideas in which learning is based upon the experiences that the student encounters. The professors act as facilitators of the learning process, instead of dictators. Students engage with each other, gain knowledge from a variety of online resources, and demonstrate their learning by directly interacting with the topic. All of this is opposite of a traditional learning environment that is generally "sit and get" lecture and assessment. I like the way the authors of teach-nology.com explain the Constructivism theory.
"The constructivism learning theory will allow children to, at an early age or a late age, develop the skills and confidence to analyze the world around them, create solutions or support for developing issues, and then justify their words and actions, while encouraging those around them to do the same and respecting the differences in opinions for the contributions that they can make to the whole of the situation.
When I sum it all up, I believe that a student's success in the DLL program is driven by the adaptation of authentic active learning using the COVA method and constructivist ideals.
References
Constructivism Learning Theory, (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.teach-nology.com/currenttrends/constructivism/
Harapnuik, D. (2018). COVA Approach. Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991
Harapnuik, D. (2017). What to Expect from the Digital Learning and Leading Masters Program. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/zqZU2jB3tZI
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