The COVA Approach

COVA — is a learner centered active learning approach that gives the learner choice (C), ownership (O), and voice (V) through authentic (A) learning opportunitiesMy growth mindset voice LOVES the COVA model. (Harapnuik, 2018)

 I love to create new projects for my students to try. and I love the idea of being able to create projects that  are relevant to my own teaching. I am very right brained, so this idea of being given the creative license to complete projects with limited specifications makes my growth mindset voice very happy. However, the fixed mindset voice that has been trained to follow the guidelines to the letter so I can get an A in my class, really derail my productivity. It is this voice that makes me want to doubt myself and the validity and quality of my finished product. IT is this voice that longs for the proverbial checklist that I can check off to make sure I have followed the specifications of a particular assignment, so I can get the A. I have to tell myself that there are very few ways I could get it wrong, because the COVA approach to learning allows for creativity, ownership, my own authentic voice.

Because I have this conflict that swirls within my brain at times, I feel it is vitally important that I start using this COVA approach with my students now, so that they can avoid these kinds of fixed vs. growth mindset arguments that take place in my head on a regular basis.  I can become overwhelmed by having so much freedom to choose how I want to complete a project, that I sometime have a hard time getting started--that fear of making a mistake that will cost me the A. Once I wrap my head around, I am usually good to finish. I want to help my students AVOID this kind of anxiety by exposing them to the COVA model, starting with smaller projects and working up to the bigger ones. My goal is to help my students gain confidence in their own agency by giving them credit for the process, even if their final product is not exactly what they intended it to be. By sharing my own experiences with trial and error, and showing them that I make mistakes just like they do, I feel like it gives them permission to do the same.  I used to be afraid to make mistakes in front of my students. Now, I see that there is tremendous value in owing my mistakes and allowing the students to help me correct them. 

Source:  http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991