As I approach the end of my coursework, it is time to think about ways I will use COVA + CSLE in my classroom and in my school. Having been both a learner in a COVA + CSLE program and learning how to teach using it, I’ve thought of ways I can implement it in my classroom. I’ve already begun implementation by allowing students the choice of when and where they complete their lessons and giving students the opportunity to embrace the learner’s mindset by giving them unlimited chances to learn from their mistakes on assignments. 

 

I find that creating a significant learning environment is a bit more challenging. In creating a significant learning environment, students need authentic assignments -- assignments that have real-world implications and that matter to them.  I am trying to give students a taste of this in our “relevant application” assignments. In these assignments, I have more leeway than on a test to assess how students will apply their learning to real-world scenarios. I have a few examples of these types of projects on my student work page. 

 

In these assignments, I try to give minimal parameters and let the students create their solutions. Students are able to bring in learning not only from my class, but from other classes, as well. Eventually, I would like projects like these to be the end goal for a unit instead of a unit test. A unit test doesn’t accurately assess how well students can evaluate a situation and apply their knowledge. A project where they are given a problem, for instance, “How can I create a sprinkler system that will water my entire yard in a given budget?” can.

 

Implementing COVA + CSLE in a traditional, brick-and-mortar school will have challenges. One challenge is that students are not used to this style of learning. The struggle of finding a learning path when one isn’t given is real, and students will want to give up. Supporting students, and by extension, their parents, while they are getting used to embracing a learner’s mindset will be a huge hurdle. Support from parents and school administration will be crucial to successfully implementing COVA + CSLE. 

 

One way to garner support from the admin is by sharing the COVA + CSLE framework with them and setting up times to train my colleagues on how to use it in their classrooms. I discussed how to lead changes such as this on my pages about implementing organizational change.

 

Students, similarly, will need training in how to learn using this framework. Students in K-12 will need more support for how to start directing their own learning. Because many of our classrooms are still set up where teachers are the sole source of information in the classroom, we will need to create systems to teach students how to find their own learning. Creating self-directed learners should be our chief learning outcome because then students will be set up to be lifelong learners.

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References:

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Harapnuik, D. (2017) CSLE+COVA. Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6988