After reading the first seven chapters of the COVA eBook, I realized that I must change the way I am teaching in my classroom. Dr. Dwayne Harapnuik states " We need to help our students take ownership of their learning and grow into people expressing their full potential." (Harapnuik, Thibodeaux, & Cummings, 2018) I ended last year on a good note, implementing blended learning in my classroom, but this year I have been off to a rocky start. I have began the year the exact opposite of what I want for my students. I tell myself it is because of my hectic and crazy schedule over the past nine weeks of school, but that is just an excuse, which I need to throw out the window. My students deserve better.
So, after being motivated by the text, I decided I was not going to make any more excuses. One of my strategies to create ownership and choice is to utilize Google Classroom. This week I posted Youtube videos, BrainPop Jr. videos and quizes, Nearpod lessons, and Google Slide activities on Google Classroom. Instead of me direct teaching the entire class, I allowed my students to first learn through these platforms. While they worked on these activities, I gathered small groups together to reinforce the lessons. This allowed them to work at their own pace and let them have more control over their learning. I feel that this was a great first step in creating a significant learning environment that give students choice, ownership, voice, and authenticity. Let me just say "WOW!" My students loved this! It also reduced behavior issues. Students that normally struggle to stay on task were focused and engaged. My small group lessons were more meaningful and differentiated. Plus, I am excited about not having to grade papers. Not sure it can get any better than that! Resource Harapnuik, Thibodeaux, & Cummings (2018) COVA Choice Ownership and Voice through Authentic Learning retrieved from https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1bdbac4d4fbdff334a642eb11/files/8b18ae2a-8696-4d58-9b80-192f4cc6624c/COVA_eBook_Jan_2018.02.pdf
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The articles and links in week 1, explain how an ePortfolio creates a significant learning environment that allows students to have choice, ownership, and voice in an authentic way. The ePortfolio gives students a way to create and show their learning in a variety of ways. It allows for continuous reflection and critical thinking of their learning.
I have found that because there are not restrictions or strict guidelines to follow for my eportfolio, I am more eager to perfect it. There is freedom to be creative and there is not a fear of failure. This has made me reflect on my own teaching in my classroom. As Dr. Harapnuik stated in his video, am I just "putting a jet engine onto a horse and buggy", or am I truly allowing my students to learn in an authentic way? I feel that I have moments of both. However, these articles make me want to revise my teaching with technology and use it in a way that students can take ownership of their learning. Creating an ePortfolio makes me nervous and excited at the same time. It is scary to expose your learning and thoughts to the world and to your peers, but I am excited about having the freedom to create and learn in my own way. I have already learned or been reminded about the importance of giving students ownership of their learning and making it authentic to them. I love the quote Dr. Harapnuik recited by John Dewey, "You cannot teach today the same way you did yesterday to prepare students for tomorrow." How true is this. We have to be able to adapt and change with the times and with technology in order for learning to be authentic to students. We have to teach to the student, not teach to the test. Resource: Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2018, from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7141 |
AuthorSecond Grade teacher and lifelong learner. Graduate student at Lamar University. Archives
April 2019
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