Have you ever admired a person who had a skill that seemed to come easy to them? Or, have you ever met a person who knew more than the average person about a specific topic? How does this person know so much? I recall a time I went to a musical with my best friend. When we arrived I noticed on the program her husband was one of the piano players. I quietly leaned over to whisper, "I didn't know your husband played the piano"! How old was he when he started playing. My friend smiled proudly as she said he taught himself around the age of seven. He watched his grandmother and became curious enough to practice on his own. He has zero formal training and none of his other siblings can play. John Dewey, an American philosopher would attribute this knowledge and skills to constructive learning of course. My friend's husband was the example of Dewey's learning theory. He had learned to play the piano by doing. During Dewey's time he emphasized learning occurs when learners are actively involved in a process of interacting with their environment which in turn will enable learners to learn. COVA eBook, paints a picture of what constructive learning looks like today. 

Dewey's theory of learning, thrives in an education systems that understand the benefit of learning opportunities that enable students to link current knowledge to their prior experiences and knowledge. Creating student centered learning environments (CSLE) require teachers to be facilitators and coaches verses the main source of knowledge. Delivery formats blend face to face and technology to extend the instructional design that supports quality learning. The COVA model enables the learner to thrive within the CSLE. COVA plus CSLE provides students the ability to have choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning experiences. C-Choice gives students the opportunity to feed passion and interest. O-Ownership allows learners to have control over the entire learning process as learning is navigated. V- Voice gives learners the versatility to structure work ideas and share insight and knowledge collaboratively. A- Authentic learning gives learners the opportunity to make a difference in their own learning environments. The COVA model thrives in learning environments that synergizes with the student's desired learning environment. Providing students with these endless opportunities creates a student centered environment that equip students for their 21st century career and college readiness. I think more educators should be made aware of the COVA model either through professional development or courses. The growing demands of problem solving creates a greater need for the educational systems t and formats should transform as well. As I navigate through this course, I am looking forward to learning more about COVA and how to develop a format that supports my 8th grade Science learners. I know through much collaboration and engaging in an authentic learning environment, great ideas, and perspectives will help cultivate the change in any student centered environment I seek create.