COVA
Reflection & Application
The knowledge I gained from the EDLD 5302 course has been incredibly helpful in creating a student-centered educational environment using the COVA approach. This method is crucial for engaging and exciting learning experiences. Carol S. Dewecks's teaching (2006) has further enriched my understanding of this approach, teaching me to encourage my students' cognitive reflexibility and intrinsic motivation. My learning philosophy.
Where or when did I realize I had choice, ownership, and voice through authentic tasks?
My experience in the EDLD 5302 course was a significant milestone in my professional growth. It was the first time I felt I had a choice, ownership, and a voice in my learning process. The ability to choose the format of my learning allowed me to select academic content that aligned with the Innovation plan proposal. This personal growth has been invaluable in my professional journey.
As a preschool teacher working with students on phonics and language, I could transform this knowledge into meaningful activities for my students.
The freedom to create and decide on my approach for the innovation proposal focused on phonics language development in preschool at Cleveland ISD inspired me to implement the same principles in my classroom. In the proposal, children can choose how they want to learn phonics. Depending on their preferences, they can engage with interactive applications or opt for traditional activities. Regardless of their choice, they feel free and in control of their learning, a core element of the course I am committed to bringing into my classrooms to enhance phonics development.
What was your initial reaction when you were given the freedom and responsibility to take charge of your learning through an authentic project? Were you ready for it? If not, or if yes, what did you do?
When I was given the freedom and responsibility to control my learning in the course, I experienced a mix of fear and anxiety. I was not used to so much autonomy and worried I could not handle it properly. However, I learned to see challenges as opportunities for improvement and growth of the concepts of a Growth Mindset Plan, the power of “yes,” and My Learning Manifesto. These principles taught me that learning is a continuous process and that it is essential to not give up in the face of obstacles.
The learning manifesto was a cornerstone in my journey, providing a solid foundation for reflecting on my role as a learner and educator. This manifesto underscores the importance of making conscious decisions about one's learning. It has allowed me to align myself with the COVA (Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authenticity) approach, which I intend to implement in my innovation plan. To develop phonics language in preschool within the Cleveland ISD.
In my innovation proposal, I adopted this approach to create a station-based rotation model, where students can choose how they prefer to learn, whether through interactive technological platforms or more traditional activities. This fosters both autonomy and personal growth in students, helping them cultivate a growth mindset from an early age. The learning manifesto I integrated into my training is directly reflected in the structure of my approach, where personalization and autonomy are vital to empowering phonetic language development.
Children learn phonetic skills and develop cognitive and problem-solving skills through this approach. They are empowered by taking control of their progress. This approach ensures an approach. They are empowered by taking control of their progress. This approach ensures that learning is an active, student-centered process, creating a transformative and authentic learning environment that enables them to succeed academically and personally.
How difficult was it to lose myself in my voice and focus on my organization as the audience for my work?
The ADL Project program was instrumental for me as it allowed me to acquire, strengthen, and apply my voice within my organization, thanks to the principles of COVA. Discovering the importance of expressing my ideas clearly and intentionally improved my proposals, mainly my innovation initiative focused on phonics language development in preschool, which aims to impact my educational community positively.
The innovation plan proposal for phonics language development in Cleveland ISD preschool provided an experiential way to implement this approach and observe its actual effects in my educational community. I felt empowered to communicate my ideas to both my peers and administrators. I realized that my voice had a place in the organization. By focusing on the needs of my students and proposing a practical solution, such as a Station rotation model, my contributions were being heard.
This experience reinforced my confidence in my ability to influence others and validated my efforts by making my work with students more interactive and practical. Now, I am dedicated to exploring how my voice can further enhance the educational experience within my organization.
How has my attitude toward change leadership evolved throughout the program?
Throughout the program, my attitude toward change Leadership has changed significantly. Initially, I wondered about my ability to lead change within my organization. However, the COVA approach and Carol Dweck's (2006) concept of a growth mindset helped me view challenges as opportunities. I consistently promote interactive technologies and a personalized approach in preschool teaching, reflected in my innovative proposal on phonetic language in Cleveland ISD.
This project exemplifies change through technology and the implementation of station-based station rotation in phonetic language instruction. I have built confidence in my colleagues. Witnessing the positive learning outcomes for my students and the engagement of my colleagues has empowered me to feel capable of promoting change in the academic environment.
How authentic is my innovation plan? Did I create it simply to complete the course, or was I hoping to change my organization?
This innovation plan emerged as a genuine project to foster change within my organization. Initially focused on improving phonics language development in preschool, my vision has expanded to share my influence Change across the entire educational community.
Based on the COVA+DSLE framework, this plan seeks to motivate my colleagues to embrace blended learning and actively participate in restructuring education. To facilitate this transformation, I have created a Call to Action emphasizing the importance of professional development and the integration of interactive technology.
Using the 4DX model, the plan provides a clear and practical framework for each educator to choose content areas and technology tools that best address their students needs, promoting personalizad learning.
Additionally, guidance will be provided to help monitor student progress nad make necessary adjustments. This approach fosters shared responsibility among educators. All staff members will recognize the value of technology in learning and actively participate in its implementation to foster an innovative New Culture of Learning that better prepares our students for the future.
To implement my innovation plan for preschool phonics development, I will incorporate two key components, the Literature Review and the Publication Outline. These components align with the 4DX model and the COVA+CSLE framework.
The Literature Review will enable teachers to adapt the literature to specific phonics standards that require essential adjustments. Meanwhile, the Publication Outline will provide each teacher with a personalized, real-time development plan based on their strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring ongoing growth.
These approaches will fully activate each element of COVA+CSLE and enhance teacher autonomy, creating a flexible and meaningful learning environment. As a result, teachers will have a more significant impact on reading and language development.
How do the COVA approach and Creating Meaninful Learning Environment (CSLE) align or not aling with my learning philosophy?
The COva approach and Creating Meaningful Learning Environments are architectural expressions of my learning . I take education very seriously and believe students should actively participate in learning. With COVA, my students can choose, own, and speak up regarding the learning modality they feel most comfortable with. These three actions are accentuated in my proposed innovation for phonics language development in preschoo, children will engage, apply, and develop critical cognitive skills in a rotational and style of the children. This is achieved ny embedding literacy skills and an Individualized Prodessional Learning Sheme, where teachers modify teaching resources to meet the individual needs of each student. This process is exemplary for COVA and makes students feel part of the plan, making learning engaging, genuine, and exciting. True curiosity and intrinsic motor skills are manifested in education. These two theories complement not only philosophy but also my learning Philosophy, and through the my Innovation plan proposal, I will be able to empower students and teachers with a comfortable learning approach that will be essential in each childs comprehensive education.
How has my perspective on learning and my learning philosophy changed ?
Based on my experience with the CPVA and CSLE approaches, learning is a dynamic and flexible process where students are the primary actors in their development. This perspective is reflected in my proposal for innovating language phonics for preschool. I have implemented a station rotation system that enables students to explore, experiment, and make choices in their learning, empowering them from an early age.
My role has shifted from merely an information transmitter to a facilitator by incorporating electronic platforms and interactive applications. I have created an environment where children can develop their skills, confidence, and linguistic self-management. This change in approach has enriched my teaching, allowing me to use Betterea to assess actual needs better and ensure that each student feels a sense of ownership over their learning experience.
My experience in the EDLD 5302 couse and applying the COVA approach have been crucial for my learning and transformation in teaching and engaging with students, The Growth Mindset Plan, the new Philosophy by Carol S. Dweck (2006), has deepened my understanding of the growth mindset, which has helped me inspire my students to develop resilience and self-managemnt skills.
My innovation plan for preschool phonics language development in Cleveland ISD is grounded in these concepts. It aims to create a meaningful learning environment emphasizing student choice and critical skills development. Educational change will occur only if students and teachers adopt a growth mindset.
I have learned that the COVA approach significantly increases student engagement in the learning process and reinforces my role as a facilitator. This innovation plan will continue to benefit my educational community by fostering a new learning culture.
References
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Suceess. Random House.
EDLD 5302 Course Material. (2023). Applied Digital Learning Program
4DX Model for Change Management. (2023).