My Thoughts on the COVA Approach

The COVA learning approach will impact my learning in the DLL program because it is “a learner centered active learning approach that gives the learner choice (C), ownership (O), and voice (V) through authentic (A) learning opportunities” (COVA, n.d.), the COVA learning approach may impact my learning in the DLL program by allowing me to have a more meaningful learning experience. By being given the freedom to choose how I wish to learn and present what I have learned, I will feel more in control of my learning experience and be fully invested in every aspect of it.

Does the COVA model appeal to you and could this work toward fixing the issues identified with traditional didactic models of teaching and learning?

The COVA model appeals to me greatly because it creates a more personalized learning experience. I am a strong believer in the fact that there is no “one size fits all” way for people to learn and that, in order for people to get the most out of a learning experience, they must be do activities that cater to their learning styles, interests and have meaning or connection to them. A great example of this is in the article “Making Learning Meaningful: All About the Why” on the Responsive Classroom website. In this article, the teacher begins to notice a positive difference in student performance once she realizes that “without that connection, learning lacks meaning. And without meaning, students often struggle to find the motivation and the energy needed for the hard work of learning” (Meehan, 2016).

Based on my own experience, I would definitely say that the COVA model could work towards fixing the issues identified with traditional didactic models of teaching and learning because it requires the learner to be more involved and engaged in the learning process. During my first semester of teaching, I followed the didactic model to the T. I would stand in front of the class and provide students with all of the information while they simply stayed in their seats listening, memorizing facts, and answering questions. The only experience they had with applying the knowledge taught was through worksheets and tests. It was a very teacher-centered approach to learning and not very beneficial to anyone. My students were bored and unmotivated because they were not truly engaged in the learning process. As a result, their grades were poor and behavior became a problem. However, once I changed my approach and began incorporating more work stations to cater to various learning styles and interests, I noticed a huge change. Students were excited to come to class and their academic performances improved. I think this was not only because they looked forward to what activities they would be able to do next in class but even more so because they could see I was paying attention to them. I was paying attention to their needs and realizing that they were not all the same. I showed that I was willing to do whatever it took to make sure they were able to learn. They felt special. With the COVA model, I think this feeling will be brought out even more as it delves even deeper into personalizing activities for students by finding out what they feel their strengths and weaknesses are, the types of environments they like to work in, their interests, and personal learning goals they would like to work towards.

What part of the COVA learning approach might challenge you the most? Which part(s) do you perceive as beneficial?

The part of the COVA learning approach that might challenge me the most is voice. I think this will create my biggest challenge because of the potential for criticism. As I have stated in previous posts, the ability to receive criticism in a positive way is something with which I still struggle and presenting my voice leaves me very open to that. However, since starting this course and engaging in the reading materials and discussions, I feel myself getting more comfortable expressing my beliefs and opinions openly.

The part(s) of the COVA learning approach that I perceive as most beneficial are choice and authentic learning experiences. While all aspects of the COVA learning approach are important and beneficial, I feel that these two are the most beneficial because they are the two that will keep me interested in the learning process. By being able to choose experiences that are meaningful to me as a means the learn about a particular subject, I am more inclined to truly absorb the information because I am fully invested and engaged in the experience.

What resources (content, video, media, etc.) might you use to help you develop your own voice in your ePortfolio?

Because I am a strong proponent of the need to personalize learning for students in order to maximize their learning experiences, I think that resources addressing the COVA model as well as personalized learning will be beneficial in developing my own voice in my ePortfolio. These resources may include articles, videos, graphs, blog posts, research, or books containing information regarding the definition, implementation, and benefits of the COVA model and personalized learning.

How might you develop a sense of learner agency as part of this approach to learning?

Learner agency is defined as “when learners have ‘the power to act’. Agency is when learning involves the activity and the initiative of the learner, more than the inputs that are transmitted to the learner from the teacher, from the curriculum, the resources and so forth.” (Trend 1: Learner Agency, n.d.). With the COVA model approach to learning, I am given the freedom to seek out activities that allow me to have more power in my learning. By having choice (C), I am able to initiate and choose how I want to express myself and which activities I want to engage in that best serve me in learning a particular concept. With ownership (O), I have control over how I learn and what tools I want to use to learn. By having voice, I am able to express my beliefs and opinions in a format that is most beneficial to me. By seeking out authentic learning experiences, I am able to choose interesting and meaningful activities to learn concepts.

Resources:

COVA. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991

Meehan, Caitie. (2016, January 12). Making Learning Meaningful: It’s All About the Why. Retrieved from

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/making-learning-meaningful-its-all-about-the-why/

Trend 1: Learner Agency | CORE Education. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://core-ed.org/legacy/thought-leadership/ten-trends/ten-trends-2014/learning-agency