COVA Approach

Assignment 4

The COVA learning approach will impact my learning by allowing me to learn my way.  
It applies to real-world learning. I am not used to having so much control over my own learning.  
I am used to the traditional learning and being told how and in what form to do things.
I like structure and choices, so having more control and doing things with freedom will
require me getting used to it.

At first it did not appeal to me, because I am used to a certain way of doing things.  
I will get used to it and enjoy having the freedom to do differently. Having too many
choices is also and issue at times. For instance, when a group of us want to go out to
eat together, no one wants to make a decision because we all want to hear each
others “voice” or opinion.  So finally we have to narrow down our choices and basically
take a vote.

When I was in high school we had basic information that we had to remember and
then repeat on test day.

One resource that I found that I liked was the Rita Pierson video on YouTube.  It was
thought-provoking. Every Child Needs a Champion by Rita Pierson, retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=463&v=SFnMTHhKdkw

This is my COVA Approach assignment for Lamar University in the Digital Learning and Leading Master of Education Program.

COVA Approach

Professional Learning Network

Assignment 3

Here are some of my favorite professional learning networks. (I am a pre-k teacher
this year and previously taught kindergarten.)

Kindergarten Smorgasboard

https://www.facebook.com/kindergarten.smorgasboard.7/

Mr. Greg is great at sharing his center ideas.  He has good ideas that are cost-effective.
He shares these ideas in live videos and we are able to post comments while he is making
these new centers.  We interact with him and share our ideas and ask questions about what
he is doing. He also does “Submissions for Smorgie” once a month.

Pre-K Pages

https://www.facebook.com/prekpages/

Vanessa Levin is a great teacher and mentor.  She shares free items all the time.
She has a network called “The Teaching Tribe” which is a paid subscription.  In this
community there are over 1000 free resources, online trainings, book review, and all
sorts of resources that members are about to enjoy at their fingertips.  This has been a
great resource for me, since I am new to the pre-k world. Dramatic Play is one of the
centers we have to incorporate in our class and she has great resources and ideas in this area.

And I am the facilitator of:

Technology Tips for Techie Teachers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/975388825890055/?ref=br_rs

In this group I try to post things daily, but I have been overwhelmed lately.  
Members are welcome to share, ask questions, etc. It is a safe place for teachers
to learn about technology.  We ask that you answer 3 questions before being approved
to join. This helps eliminate spam. Please follow the rules of the group.  We don’t allow
post about items for sale unless they are related to the post.

Other networking groups:

TCEA - Texas Computer Education Association

They have great summer conference that are focused on skills for the elementary level.  
I hope to attend their big conference they hold each year in February. They also have
certification programs which are done completely online.  I am a Campus Technology
Specialist. They also wrote an article about me. Spotlight Article

Networking is an important part of the teaching field.  

You are able to take charge of what you learn and when you learn it.  

It is like doing professional development on your own time. It is working

together to solve a problem and getting a different perspective on your

own issues.  Sometimes you may be having the same issues in your class

and being in a group of other teachers opens up dialogue so you can share

ways to handle the situation.  It helps you know that you are not alone in the

issue and others can relate to how you feel.

This is my Learning Network assignment for Lamar University in the Digital Learning and Leading Master of Education Program.

Professional Learning Networks

Learning Manifesto

Assignment 2

I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was in the second grade.  I loved my teacher and she made learning so much fun.  I wanted to be just like her.  I consider myself a life-long learner because I enjoy learning, sharing, and participating in professional development.

Listed here is my learning manifesto and teaching philosophy.  I want the educational experience an adventure for my students.  I believe in fostering independent thinkers.  I am passionate about wanting students to feel free to express their selves in my class. 

This is my Learning Manifesto for Lamar University in the Digital Learning and Leading Master of Education Program.

Learning Manifesto

Growth Mindset Plan

Assignment 1

A growth mindset is a positive way of thinking.  Being positive helps you stay focused.  It will help you grow in all parts of your life, whether it be professional or personal.  You are in charge of the way you think and feel.  You are also in control of your own situation.  When you get discouraged, you have to talk back to yourself with a growth mindset and keep your thoughts positive.  Once you have an action plan to learning something new or accomplishing a goal, using a growth mindset will keep you from getting discouraged.

This works along side of the word "yet".  This three-lettered word "yet" is a small, but very powerful word when in the process of learning a new skill.  "Yet" gives you power, strength, and hope.  "Yet" gives you a new outlook on your goal.  The power of "yet" will help you work harder and be more determined to complete your task at hand or your long-term goal.

This is my Growth Mindset Plan for Lamar University in the Digital Learning and Leading Master of Education Program.

Growth Mindset

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog.  This will be used for my graduate school coursework at Lamar University in Texas.  I am working towards a Master of Education degree in Digital Learning and Leading.  I plan to complete it by Spring of 2020.

The first class is Concepts of Technology 5302.  We have completed three major assignments: Growth Mindset Plan, Learning Manifesto, and Professional Learning Networks.  We also had to create this blog and post on it weekly.

Feel free to sign up for emails about my blog posts so you will be among the first to know what is happening during my educational adventure.

Until next time.....