COVA Reflection
Initially, when I began my search for a graduate program, I tossed around multiple options. I debated whether or not to continue with the music path and get a Master in Music or go a different route. A part of me would have loved to delve into music therapy; however, after weighing the time, extra courses and expenses that would be involved, I decided against it. Instead, I decided that I wanted a different program, one that could combine with music or even be used outside of the classroom if need be. This decision led me to Lamar University and the Digital Learning & Leading program. I loved that the program was focused around technology, learning to become a leader, and used the COVA approach. What do I want to do with my degree when I’m finished? Honestly, I have no clue. I know some wish to be instructional coaches and innovation leaders within their organizations. Personally, I’m not necessarily looking for a new position. I genuinely want to use my knowledge gained from the DLL program to enhance my students’ classroom experience for the time being.
Beginning a program that follows the COVA approach at first took some getting used to. The COVA approach gives the learner Choice, Ownership, and Voice through Authentic learning (Harapnuik, 2018). As a musician and music teacher, I absolutely love this concept as it promotes creativity in learning. As a student back in the classroom, it took me a little getting used to at first. I love having the ability to be creative and choose how to present my ideas. In the first course, however, it had my head spinning with too many choices to try to narrow down which made it a little more difficult. After having teacher expectations ingrained into me throughout the years, it made the transition into full COVA overwhelming to say the least. By the end of the first course, it was much easier to wrap my head around learning this way myself. What I found funny is the fact that looking at my own teaching, I use the COVA approach with my own students and prefer to give them choice and voice in their learning experience but it took time for me to adjust to it myself.
My innovation plan started out as incorporating Project-Based Learning into the music classroom. With the Covid shutdown, it hindered fully implementing as everyone scrambled to come together to provide instruction even during the shutdown. Now that we’re back in school and all students K-12 have been given devices this year, I hope to begin implementing this project as students adjust to their new devices. The DLL program allowed me to expand upon my original learning philosophy. While it is very similar to the original, I was able to expand it more to incorporate the COVA approach into it.
COVA & CSLE Implementation
Before starting this program, I had already been incorporating COVA into my classroom. I just did not realize it until it was presented in the very first course in the DLL program. I love incorporating COVA to create significant learning environments (CSLE) for my students. This approach helps increase motivation and participation in the music classroom, as well as increases creativity as students get to learn more about something of interest to them or something that is personally meaningful. Every so often, I run into a group of students that get stuck in the routine and have a hard time with having so many options and freedoms to choose. I have found that beginning slowly with these students help tremendously. It also helped when slowly introducing COVA to them to give them limited choices at first as they transition into having more choice and voice. Then, each time I add more options until they get comfortable with having the freedom of choice and voice in their learning.
As I continue to implement COVA into my classroom, it will be important to give students choices so that they are able to take ownership of their learning. I am able to still follow the curriculum and national standards while providing variations for students to learn content and be engaged. I allow my students to choose how they would like to present their projects. They are able to choose which programs to use and what format they would prefer. Currently, my upper elementary students are working on writing spooky stories that they will add sound effects and music into. They will have choice and voice in how they will choose to present these projects. Some may use WeVideo to record their story and layer in sound effects, while others may choose to create a slideshow or digital book using Book Creator. Allowing students to have choice in this has increased participation and excitement to complete the project. I can’t wait to see their finished projects. My goal for the year is to continue incorporating COVA into my classroom so that I can provide more authentic learning experiences for my students.
One problem I foresee is getting buy-in with my fellow music colleagues. With our current hybrid learning model, many are overwhelmed and exhausted just trying to keep up with everything (remote & in-person). While I am also overwhelmed and exhausted, incorporating COVA and PBL into music has helped keep my students engaged which I hope others can see that it makes a difference and does not create more work. Overall, my goal is to help others see and understand the value of the COVA approach and how it can breathe new life into our students’ learning.
Reference
Harapnuik, D. (2018). COVA model. It’s about learning: Creating significant learning environments. Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6615
Innovation Plan Update & Reflection
My innovation plan began with incorporating project-based learning into the music classroom. I wanted my students to be able to create personally meaningful projects of interest to them (using the COVA approach). While I was able to begin the project with a portion of my test group, I wasn’t able to fully implement it based on my outline due to the Covid shutdown. However, the small group that tried it out really took to it and had a blast while creating a video to honor our resource officer and another staff member for Veteran’s Day. They also learned and recorded a special song for the video which can be viewed below. We were just beginning to expand PBL into the rest of the test group when we had to shut down.
Due to all of the obstacles over the past several months, I feel like I’m back to square one with my innovation project. It hasn’t stopped me from wanting to incorporate it, but I’ve found that it will need to wait a little longer with how our district has approached this school year (beginning hybrid with two groups alternating days, now four days in-person, and remote learning). My original test group is non-existent at the moment due to the Covid restrictions as we’re not supposed to sing indoors (although, there has been much discussion about this, so I’m hoping it changes soon). Once our district decides to move into the normal five days of in-person, I will be able to really begin full implementation because I’ll have all learners at once. Currently, students have been flip-flopping between in-person and remote, making it really difficult to track and keep everyone on the same page.
I’m hoping to keep track of all of the projects with my ePortfolio in order to get my fellow music teachers on board with implementing it into their own classrooms across the district. Getting student feedback on the projects and process will help show increases in motivation, participation, and the added benefits of project-based learning.
Moving forward, I would love to fully complete this innovation project and even morph it into a new one using PBL through remote learning settings. This will require more research and planning in order to properly implement with a group of elementary students. In the end, I believe all would benefit from this type of innovation project, especially once all of the technology glitches have been worked out from pushing 1:1 devices out for the start of the school year (including both iPads for K-2 and Chromebooks for 3rd-12th). Parents and students need time to adjust to new devices and software. Trainings should be provided for a smooth transition.
For a deeper look into my innovation plan, check out my innovation proposal and literature review.
Comparing Call to Action Videos
Below you will find my first Call to Action video for my innovation project. Does it need adjusted? Absolutely! It was made to show the benefits of Project-Based Learning and COVA incorporation. Can it still be implemented just with this? Yes, but it can be done better and I know that I can do it!
Later on, I revised my literature review. I also created a new Call to Action, and although the title may look as though I changed my innovation plan topic, I merely updated it to be a bit more specific. The new video can be seen below.