In the Applied Digital Learning (ADL) Master’s Program at Lamar University, the COVA approach, plus CSLE have together transformed my learning process by showing me how to take full ownership of my learning journey and growth along the way. Instead of checking all the boxes, and just completing assignments for the sake of it, I found that I have been fully encouraged to explore, create, and apply my learning in ways that are purposeful and meaningful to my classroom, myself, and my professional learning goals. Through choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning experiences, in a significant learning environment, I have developed a flex blended learning approach that has a lasting impact on my students and colleagues. This authentic learning opportunity has reinforced my belief that true learning happens when we are given ways to engage deeply, take risks, and apply knowledge in real-world settings.
Where or when did you first realize that you genuinely had choice, ownership, and voice through authentic assignments? I first realized that I had real choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities when I began working on my innovation plan of creating a blended learning environment with a flex model approach using an LMS, like Schoology, project based learning, and small group instruction. The freedom to design this blended learning environment fits the needs of my students and made learning purposeful and meaningful to what they required in the classroom to successfully meet their personal learning goals and objectives. I was able to take ownership of my ideas, refined them using real world application, and applied this work to see the impact of my decisions. In the end, it has reinforced my confidence as a digital learning leader.
What was your initial reaction when given the freedom and responsibility to choose to take ownership of your learning through an authentic project? Were you ready for this? If not or if so…what did you do?
When I was first given the freedom and responsibility to take ownership of my learning through an authentic project I was very nervous, and wasn’t sure what that actually meant. But, when I found out more, then I became excited with the idea, yet felt overwhelmed by the thought of owning my learning through this real applicable project. Basically, I didn’t know if I was ready for it. Once I got to the point of understanding what I actually needed to do, then I embraced the challenge by getting deeper into the research, seeking feedback from others, and improving on my own ideas. Ultimately, taking this ownership made the learning experience more meaningful, and has helped me grow so much as an educator and leader.
What did you do to adjust to this approach to learning? Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently? To adjust to this approach to learning, I needed to stay open minded, seek feedback along the way, and embrace my learning curve with trial and error. I made a point to focus on making meaningful connections between what I was learning, and how I would use it in my own classroom with my students. When I look back to when I started, I feel that it was so hard to trust myself, and to know if my ideas were good enough. In hindsight I would certainly have more belief in myself, from the start, and take bolder steps when applying these new ideas much sooner than I had.
How difficult was it to take control of your own voice and focus on your organization as the audience for your work? I was very challenged from just completing my assignments to truly understanding the importance of using my voice to make an impact in teaching. However, as I practiced more with it, I gained confidence over time, and embraced the opportunity to create meaningful change, and make the work that I do as a teacher more purposeful and relevant to what I was learning in this master’s program and relating it back to my work as a teacher in the classroom.
Some students had mixed feelings toward promoting change in their organizations—how has your attitude toward leading change grown throughout the program? At the start of the program, I was unsure about promoting change in my field of education, but my attitude has since changed. I see now that I can have an impact on innovative change, and this program has certainly helped me see that this is indeed possible. Throughout the program, my confidence in leading this change has grown, and I now see this change as an opportunity to use COVA, and create a significant learning environment rather than a challenge that I would never overcome.
How authentic is your innovation plan; did you just create it to get through the course work or did you really hope to change your organization. My innovation plan is truly authentic which I created to bring real change to the classroom. I designed this approach with the goal of improving learning for all students through a blended learning flex model approach, in a practical way that allows all educators to use and implement to enhance their instruction, plus their students’ learning. My innovation plan is a real strategy that can impact, and transform learning for all students. Implementing this blended learning environment with a flex approach focuses on a student centered approach where learners can have choice, take ownership, use their voice, with authentic learning opportunities by using digital learning apps, and making their educational journey more personalized. For example, using Schoology to streamline learning resources, assignments, and feedback ensures accessibility for both students and teachers. Plus, small group instruction allows teachers to focus on individual student needs, as they require it, in order to focus on what the student needs, while the others are engaged in meaningful self-directed learning, like project based learning opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to real world applications. This is a shift towards engaging, and personalized learning experiences.
How does the COVA approach and Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) align or not align with your learning philosophy? Using the COVA approach and creating a significant learning environment (CSLE) aligns perfectly with my learning philosophy because I believe all students learn best through having choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning experiences. They thrive from exploration and hands-on opportunities. Just as we want students to gain student agency by taking ownership of their learning, this program has taught me that I need to push myself to have the same goals by designing a flex blended approach that fits with the needs of my own classroom. For instance, I’ve seen first hand that giving my students voice and autonomy in their own projects improves their level of engagement, just as having COVA over my own learning has made this process more personal and meaningful to me. This approach helped me to understand that learning should be flexible, student driven, and applicable to how they will use what they have learned in the real world.
How has your perspective on learning and your learning philosophy changed? If there haven’t been any changes explain why. My learning philosophy has deepened in a more meaningful way rather than completely changed. I have always believed that learning should be about what the student needs, and how it is meaningful to them when it is student driven and hands-on. In essence, this program has definitely reinforced all of that while focusing on the essential parts, such as choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities that are transferable to the real world from a significant learning environment. For example, a flex blended approach in my classroom has shown me that when students have control over their learning, they are more engaged and motivated. Their interests are being met, and this has made their commitment level higher because this flexible learning environment is not only personal, but has empowered both students and the teacher.
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? I will absolutely use the COVA and CSLE approach to give students choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities through a flex blended model that leads to deeper understanding and engagement. For instance, using Schoology, students can take control of their learning pace and I can provide targeted support to the learners that are actually struggling with understanding. Also, project based learning will empower students to think critically and apply knowledge with their peers using real world scenarios. This program has transformed my own learning, and I believe it can do the same for my students and fellow educators.
How will you give your learners choice ownership and voice through authentic assignments? I will give my learners choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning experiences by designing real, student driven assignments where they can make connections to the real world. In this case, using the flex blended approach, students will use COVA to engage with the content, such as using videos, interactive lessons, and hands-on activities. Students will take ownership when they set their own goals and have ways to track their own progress along the way using Schoology, or any other digital apps to enhance their learning. With project based learning they can apply their knowledge and solve real world problems, and they can present their ideas, or what they have learned in meaningful ways. By giving students this control, they will be more confident, and prepared for their future success outside of the classroom.
How will you prepare your learners and colleagues for the COVA approach and CSLE? As a teacher, and a leader, I think that by modeling the principles of COVA, plus CSLE, my learners and colleagues will see that they have choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities. I can introduce students to self paced learning through the flex blended learning approach, which will allow them to take charge of their progress, and reflect on personal growth. There will be student-led projects that allow learners to explore their own interests, and present their learning in different ways that are meaningful to them. With my fellow teachers, I can share my experience of pursuing my Masters Degree in Applied Digital Learning from Lamar University. I can reinforce the strategies learned through professional learning courses, and collaborative planning sessions with my peers. We will focus on ways to explore and implement these approaches in their own classrooms. Creating a shared vision can help us work toward a more flexible, student centered learning environment that supports both students and teachers.
What are some challenges that you will face in using the COVA approach and CSLE? There are challenges that can come along with change, and using COVA, plus CSLE for students and teachers. Students may struggle with taking ownership of their learning journey, especially if they are dependent on a more traditional, structured environment. Also, colleagues may have a hard time giving the control to the students. If we can get both the students and teachers to make this change, then a more self-directed, flexible learning environment can take place. Another challenge is to provide consistent, individualized support while managing the diverse needs of all learners. To overcome this challenge, students need clear guidance, and the means to gradually increase their autonomy. Fellow teachers need to provide for ongoing support and resources to make sure that everyone feels confident in implementing the new strategies.
Have you fully adopted or are in the process of adopting a Learner’s Mindset which involves a change in thinking about learning, a change in your approach to learning, and a change in your learning environment? If not, why? I have adopted the Learner’s Mindset way of thinking and see learning as an ongoing, flexible process rather than just a set of tasks on a to-do list to complete. I now focus more on student-centered learning in my own classroom, so that my students can have COVA, plus CSLE in how they learn. Through my own learning, I’ve embraced a self-reflective approach where I use the COVA method to measure my growth and identify areas to self improve. This change has given me encouragement and allowed me to continuously adapt to created environments where both my students and I are active participants on a personal learning journey.
What challenges have you experienced personally and within your organization in adopting CSLE+COVA and the Learner’s Mindset? Personally, one challenge that I have faced in adopting CSLE+COVA and the Learner’s Mindset is to overcome the discomfort of giving up control and trusting my students to take ownership of their learning. This was tough at first, but I have seen that students are more engaged when they have the freedom to learn at their own pace and time, and in their own way. On the other hand, getting all my colleagues on board with this change has been slow because teachers are comfortable in their own ways, and with traditional teaching methods. In order to address this, I will continue to share my experiences and offer support to make the transition easier for others. In summary, I will think of ways to show how these approaches can be an improvement with student outcomes.
Conclusively, I will apply COVA, plus CSLE by designing a flexible learning experience that supports students and promotes choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning. Through a flex blended learning environment that supports my innovation plan of using an LMS, project based learning, and small group instruction, students will have the ability for the following:
Choice: Students will have options in how they engage in the content through self paced activities
Ownership: Personal learning goals will be set, and Schoology will be used to track progress, so that students can take responsibility for their growth.
Voice: Students will self express their learning through creative projects, presentations, discussions, and making their education meaningful.
Authentic Learning: Students will connect their lessons to real world applications to develop problem solving strategies and critical thinking skills.
To sum it up, using COVA, plus CSLE, will empower both students and teachers to have a learner’s mindset, which will increase effective and engaging learning environments.
References
Bittner, J. (2024). Literature review: Promoting student agency using a flex model of blended learning. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://jackiebittnerdesigner.com/literature-review/
COVA eBook – Harapnuik, D. K., Thibodeaux, T. N., & Cummings, C. D. (2018). Choice, Ownership, and Voice through Authentic Learning Opportunities. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7291
Harapnuik, D. (2018, July). COVA. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991
Horn, M. B. & Staker, H. (2015). Blended, Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools. Jossey-Bass. San Francisco, CA.
Peer Review Feedback/Feed Forward
Whitney Davis
Mar 24, 2025 9:49 AM
Your reflection clearly demonstrates a deep understanding of the power of choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning. It’s inspiring to see how your innovation plan was not just an academic exercise but a meaningful initiative designed to bring real change to your classroom. Your journey from uncertainty to confidence highlights the impact of taking ownership of your learning and embracing challenges.
The way you’ve integrated the COVA approach and CSLE into your teaching philosophy is impressive. It’s evident that you’re not only transforming your students’ learning experiences but also leading by example for your colleagues. Change is never easy, but your commitment to student-centered learning and continuous growth shows that you’re making a lasting impact. Keep pushing forward—your work is shaping a more engaging and personalized educational experience for both students and educators!
Melissa Richards
Mar 24, 2025 2:06 PM
Jackie, reading your reflection on taking ownership of your learning feels like I could have written it myself. At first I was very nervous, especially since I tend to over think everything I do! I’m glad you ended up with the same outcome and you were able to experience more meaningful learning that helped you grow! I too feel like I have grown so much as an educator and leader on my campus.
When discussing your adjustments to this approach of learning, I like how you mentioned seeking feedback along the way. I am new to seeking valuable feedback to help support my growth and learning as of a couple of years ago. I think a few years ago, I would feel insecure about receiving feedback or constructive criticism. However, being more open to it has changed my learning experiences. I also agree that after participating in these courses, I now seek it out if I am not receiving it! I am happy to read that you have also learned to trust yourself more.
Jelisa Davissophus
Mar 24, 2025 3:02 PM
I really admire how you embraced the freedom to take ownership of your learning, even though it was a bit nerve-wracking at first. Your approach to blended learning and using a flex model is a great example of how student-centered learning can truly empower students by giving them real choice, ownership, and voice. It’s clear that your innovation plan is designed to make learning more personal and engaging for your students, which is so important for their growth. I also love how you’ve modeled this approach for both your students and colleagues, helping them see the value of a more flexible, student-driven learning environment. Giving up control in the classroom can be challenging, but your success in this area shows how empowering students to take charge of their learning leads to greater engagement and success. As you continue to share your experiences, I’m sure your colleagues will be inspired to adopt these strategies as well. Keep up the amazing work!
Jackie Bittner M.Ed. 