Growth Mindset, COVA, and Learning Philsophy

I’m in my second semester of the ADL program, and I have learned so much from being a part of it. When I began my journey in the ADL program, I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing or what I was doing–I felt as if I didn’t belong. I even contemplated quitting the program after the first two classes, but I realized I had to keep going to understand the program itself. I know I’ve gained a new perspective of curriculum design and what it takes to design a course for the online environment. Theories like Choice, Ownership, Voice and Authentic learning (COVA), and Growth Mindset and my learning philosophy are important aspects of the ADL program. 

COVA plays an integral part in this program. When I was in my last master's program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, I did have to design a Google Site and a classroom in Blackboard. However, I’ve lost access to both since graduating in 2018. I believe utilizing Wix throughout the programs shows us taking control of our learning and COVA itself. With choice comes the decisions we have to make throughout our e-portfolios and the choices we make to impact our decisions throughout the process; with ownership I take that on through the research I will execute and explore; with voice I utilize my thoughts and words, but also speaking up for Reading/Language Arts teachers like me; and last but not least, authentic learning is the learning I’ve executed throughout the program. I am “showing off” my work and my research in its most authentic way, which is the e-portfolio. 

I’ve learned so many valuable lessons in this program in conjunction with the Growth Mindset. When I was an undergrad, I had the hardest time gather input from professors. I think it’s due to the confidence I didn’t have as a history major and felt like I was an imposter—or I just didn’t belong there as a major. Could I have changed majors? Maybe, but I saw no point in doing so because I was almost done and did not want to begin new major coursework. I was familiar with how the classes were taught and the expectations, as well as the lovely Chicago format. However, I did learn how to make myself a better writer for the master's program at TAMUCC. I will never forget hearing my peers complain about the writing they had to do and the amount of reading for the coursework. I would say, “You should see what history majors have to do!”   As I continue with my Growth Mindset process, I realize it doesn’t hurt to gather input and feedback for the feedforward. I’ve applied for various job positions, and I will say one of those is for an instructional design coordinator position for adult learning at the local service center in the region I live. I’ve yet to be interviewed for that position and others since I just applied, but I know the growth mindset will be such a strong force in a new career change and setting. I remember when Dweck told the story of Enron and the collapse of the company. It was the largest company to ever collapse and such a shock to the company and the business world. One of the reasons she said they failed as a company was in part due to the leaders having a fixed mindset. If you’re stuck in a fixed mindset, will you go further or stay stagnant?

When I began thinking about my learning philosophy, memories of my teaching philosophy began playing in my head. I know they aren’t entirely the same, but I really believe that how you teach is more than likely how you learn. My philosophy did change throughout my years of teaching, but it stayed pretty much the same. I also believe the learning philosophy is in line with a learner's mindset and how one learns. When we learn, we set ourselves up for a new unlocking of knowledge and how we approach life. I know I, for one, have learned so much in this program and look forward to more theories and philosophies. I know I always make mistakes, but I learn from them–it’s a part of life, and I’m here for it.