COVA for Maximizing Learning

Teaching has changed so much even in the 15 years I have been involved in this profession. When I began my career, many teachers still focused on a one-size fits all prescription for learning. However, one of my college professors emphasized that today we are a society of people who are used to instant gratification. We want what we want, and we want it immediately. When I think about his comment, I think about how children today want to do what they want and have little patience for engaging in experiences that don't speak to them. In order to meet the needs of today's learners to prepare them for tomorrow, we need to provide them with CHOICE, ways to take OWNERSHIP of their learning, methods for them to portray their VOICE, and AUTHENTIC learning opportunities, or COVA (Harapnuik & Thibodeaux, 2023).

Taking part in the ADL (applied digital learning) program through Lamar University has immersed me in an environment where the principles of COVA allow me to make meaning of my learning and apply it in my real world. By allowing me to focus my learning on applying digital learning principles in an innovation plan that I am beginning to implement on my campus, every assignment has meaning. In my undergraduate studies of Psychology, I was forced to memorize facts from textbooks and lectures that I would soon be tested on. I'm embarrassed to say that I probably don't recall very much of that information. The information was presented in theory, but I didn't have any way of applying what I learned to new situations that had meaning to me. Having choice in developing a project that has meaning to me and my circumstances has allowed me to apply the concepts creating a significant learning environment and curriculum design in my current classroom of second grade learners.

Being able to use the principles of COVA in my own learning has shown me how powerful this model is for student engagement. I plan to give students choice not only in the activities that they choose to do, but also in how they receive their learning, the topics that their learning is centered around, and their method of demonstrating their learning. By also giving students the opportunity to reflect on their journey's they will be able to take ownership of their learning. Voice is also vital in helping students feel empowered in their learning. Their artifacts should demonstrate pieces of who they are to help them feel proud of their products which also helps with them taking ownership. Lastly, creating authentic learning opportunities for my young learners will ensure they understand WHY their learning is important. Without applying their skills in authentic learning experiences, their learning has no meaning. I hope you will take a peek at my Curriculum Alignment documents and Curriculum Design Template to see how even our youngest learners can be exposed to significant learning environments through the COVA model.

Here is a quick video that shows how you can move beyond menus to allow students to have multiple dimensions of choice in their learning. You don't have to be a COVA expert to start making small changes in your classroom today!

References

Harapnuik, D., and Thibodeaux, T. (2023). COVA: Inspire learning through choice,

ownership, voice, and authentic experiences. (2nd ed.).

Spencer, J. (2016, September 26). 10 ways to empower students with choice. [Video].

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L08wNizulOY