I've just finished up my weekly web chat for class and it wrapped up with how do we truly provide students with authentic learning opportunities where they have choice in what they learn and how they learn it, own the learning and reflect their learning in their own voice AND still meet the standards set forth by what ever institution governs our students? The COVA (choice, ownership, voice, authenticity) Model presented by D. Harapnuik, T. Thibodeaux and C. Cummings in their 2018 ebook has been discussed and mulled over by my classmates as I believe most of us are recognizing that some of our best personal learning is happening right now as we are living the COVA model. We are presented with materials to look over and read, discuss with our classmates, and then present our understanding in pretty much any digital format we desire. Open ended assignments, loose rubrics, emails and calls to our professors and each other as our guide.
How do we take this freedom and flexibility and apply it to classrooms of K-12 learners? We could be clever and come up with a real life problem, predict student solutions, and then make sure all the state standards are touched by those predicted solutions. If not, introduce other arbitrary parameters and obstacles in hopes of guiding students along until they do hit all the standards. But it that really COVA in action? I'd argue it's a whole lot closer than "listen to me lecture boys and girls. Now let's do this worksheet and then take a test." But what would it look like if we gave students the state standards (let's raise the stakes and give them state standards for a tested subject), let them dissect them, decide how to learn them, and decide how to show their mastery? Would we "break" traditional school? Maybe. Would it freak people out? Some and/or probably. Adults and kids alike. Would it be scary? Messy? Could things go awry? Sure. Would it be an amazing adventure? Absolutely.
References
Harapnuik, D., Thibodeaux, T., & Cummings, C. (2018). 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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