Throughout this program, I have found that engaging in authentic, LIVE! conversations with peers regarding my experiences allows for great learning. My learning community and I decided it would be fun to try it a podcast! Listen below to hear my peers and myself reflect on the impact of COVA+CSLE on our lives.
Click here if podcast doesn’t load to access podcast through Google Drive.
Personal Effects of COVA+CSLE
In the first course I took, we had to share our growth mindset plans. It was surprising to me to have the opportunity to decide exactly what goals I wanted to achieve. I was very used to being told exactly what to do in other education courses in my undergraduate education experience. Through the ADL program, I found myself embracing the opportunity to take ownership over my learning.
I ended up having to take off about a year to plan a wedding, get married and move. Although I was not enrolled in the program during that time off, due to the growth mindset plan, I grew a lot and proved to be much more driven to earn various certifications/ try out new things, and not just be a consumer of ideas, but also a contributor. I posted new ideas on my ePortfolio, became active on Twitter and became a Flipgrid Ambassador and Google for Education Level 1 and Level 2 Certifications. Pushing myself to grow in that way really helped me be prepared for when the pandemic hit and I had to help my coworkers adjust to Google Classroom.
I think the authentic innovation project intimidated me at first. However, learning more about blended learning and innovative ideas really helped me understand how to tactfully integrate technology into my students’ learning. I now am equipped with tools and resources to support me in implementing innovations in various environments. Feeling that empowerment is exciting! It does, however, make me wish I had kept up with the program prior to leaving my old school because they were much more open to trying new things.
When I switched from teaching in a public school in a small city to at a private school in a big city, I felt intimidated by the new environment. However, the ADL program set me up with resources and assignments that allowed me to communicate my ideas professionally and I think it was well-received.
Since so much change had been implemented since the start of the 2020-2021 school year, my organization/ school was very exhausted by change. After learning what I know about implementing change, I recognize that the way they implemented change was not ideal. In the midst of a pandemic with new leadership, it is incredibly hard to make changes with smooth transitions. I think my personal attitude regarding leading change has improved. I feel much more confident about it than I did at the beginning of the program. I am so grateful that everything is documented in my ePortfolio so I can easily go back and reference the research-based ideas we utilized in the program.
COVA+CSLE in my Environment with Students
I feel my innovation plan is authentic. I truly want to implement blended learning while allowing for Choice, Ownership, Voice and authenticity. I find blended learning to be the answer for implementing technology well and not just for the sake of it.
The COVA approach aligns perfectly with my learning philosophy. Math means very little to students when it is not introduced authentically. If students don’t understand the “why” behind math, getting them to make connections from new algorithms to past learning is very challenging.
My perspective on learning has not changed, but matured. I now know how to describe my beliefs in connection to real learning philosophies. Cementing my beliefs and analyzing other philosophies was valuable and helpful in reaffirming my “why” as a teacher. My learning philosophy explains my thinking behind decisions I make as an educator.
Whenever my students have projects, I give students “choice” so they eventually develop ownership over their learning. Once students discover they hold the power and that I want to hear their individual voices, the learning that takes place is wonderful. If I can make the learning experiences authentic, the connections students make will be stronger. I want students to get to the point that they feel confident in their mathematical understanding because they make deep connections between mathematics and the world around them.
Giving students the opportunity to decide how they share their learning is powerful. Giving students “choice” makes them take the learning and make it their own. It’s important that we promote student voice, even in the midst of all the noise we hear regarding new trends in education.
COVA+CSLE in my Environment as a Teacher
Modeling best practices for my learners and colleagues is crucial for ensuring they will be prepared for implementing COVA and CLSE into their classrooms. I’ve seen how modeling the Growth Mindset for my students has been extremely powerful. They are much more likely to be willing to try something new when they see someone else celebrating successes through the change.
I think using the COVA approach and CSLE requires more planning ahead and work on the front end. However, I have discovered that planning in advance through Fink’s 3 column table or UbD’s framework makes it so much easier to implement each unit. I spend less time running around trying to find resources in the middle of a unit and more time feeling like the learning supports the student holistically. I could not earnestly say that about my lessons previously.
I think I have adopted a Learner’s Mindset. Prior to the ADL program, I previously understood the value of a 5E lesson plan, which allowed for students to be engaged, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate mathematics through authentic learning activities. However, this program is what spurred me to develop an authentic growth mindset thus changing my approach to learning. Through the program I have found how understanding more about how to map out and organize curriculum and implement changes based on research-based practices really allows me to make a change to my learning environment to allow for COVA+CLSE. I think the organization methods I have learned from the program will allow me to change the learning environment I create for my students for the better.
The biggest challenge I have faced in adopting CSLE+COVA and the Learner’s Mindset is finding the time and dealing with emotional exhaustion. Staying engaged and energetic regarding change is challenging. I know that revisiting the 4 Disciplines of Execution and crucial conversations strategies will help me.
I have experienced a lot of growth regarding learning the importance of mental health, supporting and filling yourself up so you can overflow with your talents and skills to support others around you. I am in the process of creating a growth mindset plan for improving my mental health so I can excel in the classroom.
References
Harapnuik, D. (2015). Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE). Retrieved from: http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=849
Harapnuik, D. (2015). Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE).[Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ-c7rz7eT4&t=235s
Harapnuik, D. (2018). COVA. Retrieved from: http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991
Education with Meaning 