COVA Reflection
Part A:
Where or when did you first realize that you genuinely had choice, ownership, and voice through authentic assignments?
It honestly took me a while to realize that this ePortfolio is mine and that I can motivate and inspire everyone who visits my site. I am not creative and was thinking this is not going to be a great course for me. I didn’t know what I wanted to focus on, and I knew that if I failed this course or didn't complete it, then it was going to be my own fault. I had to dig deep, put myself in my student's shoes, and think outside the box.
What was your initial reaction when given the freedom and responsibility to choose to take ownership of your learning through an authentic project? Were you ready for this? If not or if so…what did you do?
I was not ready for this at all. Coming into this master's program, I was thinking it was going to be like all the other ones. Lots of papers, lots of late nights, and lots of learning about things we probably won’t use; but I was completely wrong. This master's program challenged me to learn more about my teaching community and think about what can be fixed and improved. I dug deep and took control of my learning to get myself into a creative authentic mindset.
What did you do to adjust to this style of learning? Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
I focused more on my SpEd students than I focused on myself. Yes, I understood this is my course and my grade, but at the same time, I didn’t want to just put an ePortfolio together with random information or information that wasn't true. I wanted my ePortfolio to be a step and guide for all SpEd teachers who work with students with disabilities to challenge them to create something they could use for a lifetime.
How difficult was it to take control of your own voice and focus on your organization as the audience for your work?
It was extremely difficult to take control of my own voice and focus on my organization at first. We went from being in undergrad where professors told us what we needed to do, what we needed to focus on, to this masters program where professors are like ok here is the rubric now create magic for your organization. During the first couple of courses, I was legit going in circles because I did not understand what was expected of me. I took a semester off and really contemplated if I wanted to finish this course. But I did not want to be defeated. I knew the outcome of whatever I chose to focus on was gonna benefit my students.
Some students had mixed feelings toward promoting change in their organizations—how has your attitude toward leading change grown throughout the program?
At first, I was scared because I was thinking “I don't have a voice, who will listen to me?” But then I started thinking and researching and if I want to change, it has to start with me. I am now always one of the first to speak up when in meetings with my organization. This ADL program has taught me so much about students with disabilities and how to properly and how to teach them more efficiently. Educators often put SpEd students on the back burner because they think what they can and can not do is limited. I am 100% against putting stipulations on any student whether SpEd or Gen. Ed.
How authentic is your innovation plan; did you just create it to get through the course work or did you really hope to change your organization?
I will not lie, at first, I did create my innovation plan just to get through the course because I wasn't creative and didn't know how to be authentic. During my semester off once I decided to finish the program, I went and revamped my innovation plan. During that summer, I worked with different SpEd students and I realized that most didn't know how to use technology simply because of 1 of 2 reasons, 1. Their teacher didn’t think the student could benefit from the resources that come with it and 2. Their teachers also didn’t know how to utilize technology or its resources in the classroom.
How does the COVA approach and Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) align or not align with your learning philosophy?
COVA and CSLE aligned well with my learning philosophy. Once I realized that this course is my choice and my voice, I wanted my students to be able to learn the way I do. By taking action, utilizing peers, and learning at their own pace hands-on, they will also be able to create their own ePortfolio and be as authentic as they want and have fun with it.
How has your perspective on learning and your learning philosophy changed?
Throughout these courses, the professors and my peers have given me more strategies to get my organization to change its way of learning and teaching. I went from never speaking at Professional Development meetings to always having an idea and strategies for other educators to utilize in the classroom whether it's SpEd or Gen.Ed students. Creating a significant learning environment and modeling for all students can help promote this change and motivate them to a growth mindset as well.
Part B:
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?
As I do now, I will continue to tell and promote to my students that their learning is in their hands. I have a box in my classroom where students are able to write down some things they want to learn about and I always create a lesson plan for them to teach the whole class. I would also like for educators to start doing that as well. At the end of all professional development, the presenters always ask teachers and staff to write down something they want the next PD to cover. Teachers often leave that board blank and wonder why PD’s are always boring or feel like it's a waste of time. If teachers continue to leave their learning in the presenters of the PD hands, they will continue to cover information that may seem useless. COVA requires teachers and staff to get outside their comfort zone and think outside the box on what can improve their students. Because you never know, someone also might have the same concern or problem, and leading the change can create significant learning environments. I will definitely always utilize COVA whether I am teaching students or moving to another career where I am working more with my aged peers.
How will you give your learners choice ownership and voice through authentic assignments?
The thing about teaching SpEd students is that we do not have a specific course plan we have to follow. My class is pretty authentic because I always try to find learning projects that are hands-on and require the students to think about what they want or who they are. My students will continue having these special authentic projects where they can learn but also have hands-on fun retaining the learning as well.
How will you prepare your learners and colleagues for the COVA approach and CSLE?
I will prepare my colleagues for COVA by continuing to step up and ask the out of box questions and by always putting something on the board when PD presenters ask. Change starts with me, and I feel if my colleagues see me stepping up and taking control of learning, it would also encourage them to do the same thing.
What challenges will you face in using the COVA approach and CSLE?
The biggest challenge will be to have others also see your vision. Promoting change isn’t the easiest thing especially if you are younger than all your colleagues. I have to first make sure everyone has a growth mindset and is able to see the benefits of creating change and creating significant learning environments.
References
Galbert, J. (2022, November). Special education support: Jgalbert.com. Jgalbert. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://jasmingalbert98.wixsite.com/jgalbert
Harapnuik, D. (2021, August). Who Owns the ePortfolio. Harapnuik.org. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6050
Harapnuik, D. (2017, June 5). Why authentic learning converts into lifelong learning. It’s About Learning Creating Significant Learning Environments. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6921