COVA & Me

COVA stands for Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic Learning. Each part plays an integral role in enhancing the educational experience. 

• Choice: This element allows students to make choices in their learning process, which increases engagement and motivation. The model supports guided discovery, where the learner’s choices are influenced by the context and the instructor, helping them make effective decisions while reducing cognitive overload​.

• Ownership: Ownership refers to the learner's control over their educational journey, which is crucial for engagement and persistence. Constructivists argue that when learners take ownership of their problems, it heightens their motivation to find solutions and assert their personal agency​.

• Voice: The model gives learners the opportunity to use their own voice to structure and share their work and ideas. This aspect helps students develop a deeper understanding and a sense of purpose as they communicate their insights with peers and the broader community​.

• Authentic Learning: Authentic learning involves engaging with real-world problems relevant to the learner, fostering meaningful connections and career preparedness. It is developed through interactions between the learner, the real-world activity, and the learning environment, which makes the learning process dynamic and interactive​ (Harapnuik, n.d.).

Below, I share my journey and insights, addressing key questions on the impact and implementation of ePortfolios and the COVA approach. These reflections highlight the challenges, successes, and the potential of creating significant learning environments in our classroom. 

COVA & Authentic Assessments

I first realized the power of choice, ownership, and voice (COVA) when I began to implement ePortfolios (Innovation Plan) in my classroom. You can view more information about ePortfolios, you can read more on my blog. The turning point was during our Poetry unit, where my students were able to create their own poems, share with others and give feedforward, and reflect on their writing journey. I was able to see all parts of their learning journey and that gave me a much deeper insight into each one of my student's abilities and challenges. Seeing their enthusiasm and engagement affirmed the value of authentic assignments in empowering students​. To adjust, I planned lessons incorporating student choice and provided guidance on using ePortfolios. I also ensured regular reflection sessions to help students articulate their learning journeys. Knowing what I know now, I would introduce these concepts earlier in the school year to give students more time to become comfortable with their new roles and responsibilities. I will continue to design projects that allow students to choose topics of interest, set their own learning goals, and use ePortfolios to showcase their work. Incorporating student feedback into my planning and instruction ensures their voices are heard and valued.​​

After the plan got started, I knew I needed to decide how to train the teachers who would implement the ePortfolios in their classrooms. My Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal was that all teachers would be able to do this confidently. To learn more about this, click to view my Aligning Outcomes, Assessments, and Activities. I was also able to understand my goal further by completing the Understanding by Design's Backward Design. This allowed me to begin with the end in mind and plan accordingly to make the trainings the most beneficial. My Alternative PD plan really cemented the details to be successful. 

COVA & Creating a Significant Learning Environment

I plan to continue using ePortfolios and COVA-based strategies, integrating them into daily classroom activities. I will also support my colleagues by sharing resources, conducting workshops, and fostering a collaborative community focused on these innovative methods. Read more about innovative education. in my blog post. Some challenges that I may face or have already faced are the potential resistance to change, the need for continuous professional development, and ensuring all students receive adequate support. Overcoming these challenges will require persistence and a strong support network within the school community.

Applying the COVA Approach to Creating Significant Learning Environments

Knowing what you know now about the COVA approach, how will you plan to use the COVA approach to create significant learning environments in your organization?

Having experienced the power of the COVA (Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authenticity) approach in my own learning, I am committed to fully integrating it into my classroom practices to create significant learning environments. This involves designing assignments like the online poetry unit I created, that offer students choices aligned with their interests, enabling them to take ownership of their learning process. By doing so, students will be more engaged and motivated to explore subjects deeply and reflectively. I will utilize the ePortfolio extensively, which has proven to be an effective tool in showcasing students' learning journeys and progress on our platform. You can view the research here. 

How will you give your learners choice, ownership, and voice through authentic assignments?

To provide learners with choice, ownership, and voice, I will incorporate ePortfolios as a central element of my teaching strategy. These portfolios will allow students to select projects that resonate with their personal interests and strengths, document their learning processes, and present their findings creatively. This will ensure that each assignment is meaningful and tailored to individual student needs, fostering a sense of ownership and encouraging them to express their unique perspectives.

How will you prepare your learners and colleagues for the COVA approach and CSLE?

Preparing both learners and colleagues for the COVA approach and Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) involves clear communication and structured support. For students, I will gradually introduce the concepts of choice and autonomy, starting with simpler tasks and building up to more complex projects. Regular reflection sessions will be integrated to help students articulate their learning experiences and progress. For my colleagues, I will organize workshops and share what I have learned, including detailed guides on aligning outcomes, assessments, and activities. This will help them understand and effectively implement these innovative teaching methods in their own classrooms.

What are some challenges that you will face in using the COVA approach and CSLE?

Implementing the COVA approach and CSLE is not without its challenges. Resistance to change is a significant hurdle, as both students and colleagues may be accustomed to traditional teaching methods. Continuous learning for the teachers is necessary to support these new strategies, which requires time and resources. My Influencer Strategy and onboarding plan has been meticulously thought out to prepare for this. Additionally, ensuring that all students receive the appropriate level of support to navigate their increased autonomy can be difficult. Despite these challenges, the positive impact on student engagement and the depth of learning experiences makes the effort worthwhile. By fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, we can overcome these obstacles and fully embrace the benefits of the COVA approach.

By using everything I have learned over the course of the program, I am confident in creating a dynamic and supportive learning environment that embodies the principles of the COVA approach. This will not only enhance student engagement and learning outcomes but also foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within our school community. I am excited to see the benefits of COVA and CSLE will bring to my classroom and my students. 

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