Part A

I entered the Digital Learning and Leading program in September 2016 and in EDLD 5302 Dr. Thibodeaux introduced us to the COVA concept and role of ePortfolios for us in the degree.

In conversations with Dr. Thibodeaux I explained the innovation ideas I was implementing in my workspace at the University Press (UP). I was able to see how I could apply my work to the coursework and refine my innovation plan (IP) in concert.

At first, I was a bit overwhelmed with the freedom and responsibility of my learning ownership because my ideas were all over the place. As I put my ideas and plans together in EDLD 5305 and 5304 and with the advice and guidance of my instructors, I was able to curate and hone my primary innovation plan.

I’ve addressed confidence in other components of this course, and it became tangible when I was able to apply what I was learning to my IP. My exploration of confidence was not personal or character issue, but confidence in having knowledge and tools to apply agents of change and feeling like I knew what I was talking about to other colleagues in academia.

I adjusted to this style of learning by embracing it. As the instructors in the different courses elaborated with different theories, I edited and revised my IP each course. What I would do differently would have been to be including professional development (PD) as a side-by-side companion to my IP instead of a separate component. The primary reason PD was a separate component was because I took it for granted as something an instructor needs, but also, I didn’t realize that I was putting myself before the purpose of the IP.

As I was able to reflect on the IP, I was better able to control my voice and focus and present the plan more coherently. I feel that I’ve always been an agent of change, no matter where I’ve been. My IP is authentic in the sense that it is tangible, applicable and ongoing. The IP is a process that adapts through the life-cycle of the students, faculty and staff that interact within it each semester or production run.

What has been an invigorating part of the program is that it pigeon-holes completely with change within my workspace and has grown beyond the original scope my original plan. As I’ve written in other courses within the program much of what COVA and CSLE are allows me to place my ideas within a structured framework many things I have always done in my classroom. I’ve said I think the DLL program was created just for me.

I don’t claim that my ideas are necessarily new, but that they are organized and presented as an instructional concept that is tangible enough to be modeled, adapted and used by other teachers or organizations.

My perspectives on learning and learning philosophies has definitely been broadened and expanded. I don’t try to adhere rigidly to any one theory or practice because I want to keep an open mind to anything that can be useful for innovation and change ideas.

I lean more to the use and propagation of constructivist theories, experiential and discovery learning, and I’m really interested in exploring the dynamics of social learning theory, communities of practice and connectivism. I have found that there is almost always something I can glean and use from all the theories I’ve been exposed to, that’s why I’ve enjoyed this course so much.

References:

David L, “Summaries of Learning Theories and Models,” in Learning Theories, January 24, 2018, https://www.learning-theories.com/.

https://www.learning-theories.com/

Part B.

Summarize how you will apply the COVA approach to creating significant learning environments that provide your learners with choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities. Consider the following questions and you used in the discussion as starting points for your plans on using the COVA and CSLE in your organization:

• 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?
• OR will you not use the COVA approach and why?
• How will you give your learners choice ownership and voice through authentic assignments?
• How will you prepare your learners and colleagues for the COVA approach and CSLE?
• What are some challenges that you will face in using the COVA approach and CSLE?

Combine Parts A & B into one cohesive post on your ePortfolio. While the format and structure of the COVA reflection and application is up to you we do encourage you keep in mind that you need to create a cohesive post which will include links to your existing posts or resources you have created that will support or provide examples for your reflection. Your post can include audio, video, infographic, or other media to help summarize and reinforce your ideas.