When I enrolled in my undergraduate studies in Education during the mid-1990’s, constructivist theories of education were all the rage.  I probably read more articles and research about Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development than almost anything else — maybe second only to Bloom’s Taxonomy.  Essentially, Constructivism is an theory of education built around the idea that a person learns new material by constructing his or her idea of the world, and then adds to or alters this view in order to continue to learn. Put simply, take what you know or think you know, and then add to that knowledge to enhance or change that initial idea.  Piaget believed that knowledge is not simply acquired but is constructed in the mind of a person during the learning process. This is achieved through assimilation and accommodation. Assimilation is when a person incorporates new information into their existing base of knowledge. Accommodation is when a person incorporates new information that changes the existing knowledge of a person.

In this, my third course in Lamar University’s Digital Learning and Leading program, I’ve really come to appreciate the COVA approach to learning and how it utilizes this constructivist model of education.  Through building our ePortfolios, we are exercising Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic Learning (COVA) by taking what we know and adding to it through our weekly readings, videos, and discussion posts.  This process helps us build on our existing knowledge, enhances what we already know (or think we know), and allows us the freedom and flexibility to continue our own personal learning endeavors.