Monday, December 18, 2017

A New Approach to Learning and Life

It is nearing the end of 2017, and I am officially on the second half on my Masters program. I am getting my degree in Educational Technology Leadership from Lamar University. When we ring in 2018, I will have just four classes left.

2017 has been a year filled with change and a shift in mindset and perspective for me and as a learner. Recently, our group has shifted from the leadership track and moved into our technology courses. This first course has challenged me in ways that I wouldn't have anticipated. Being able to articulate what I believe in has been something that I believed myself to be good at, but that hasn't been the case in this course. I lost the most points that I have lost on any assignment in the entirety of the program on my most recent assignment. For me, this is the definition of personal failure. However, one of the focus elements of this course has been "failing forward." I will endeavor to figure out what that means as I rework my Learning Manifesto in 2018. (Here is the link to my original because personal growth is important and so is learning to accept failure.) 

In 2018, I will continue to grapple with and work to understand more fully the COVA Learning Approach to learning. Personally, I feel like much of the approach resonates with Phil Schlechty's Lesson Design Qualities. The COVA Learning Approach keeps a more narrow focus on Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authenticity. Walking the line between "the right answer" and "the authentic answer" will be something that I continue to work through in my courses. 

The following represents my work from my first Technology course in the program EDLD 5302.


References
Schlechty, P. C. (2011). Engaging students: The next level of working on the work. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.   


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