Desiree López
Module 1

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, early childhood education must rise to the challenge of delivering meaningful, personalized learning experiences that engage and inspire every child. Traditional teacher-centered methods, while valuable, often fall short in addressing the diverse needs of young learners. Enter the COVA model—Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authenticity—a forward-thinking framework that empowers students to take an active role in their education.
This innovation proposal introduces a Blended Learning Station Rotation model explicitly designed for Dual Language Kindergarten classrooms. The project seeks to elevate early language acquisition and skills by integrating the COVA principles with this instructional approach while supporting bilingual development. Through thoughtfully designed learning stations, students can explore concepts independently, collaborate with peers, and receive targeted instruction from teachers.
The model incorporates various digital tools and interactive resources to enrich the learning experience, allowing students to choose activities tailored to their interests and abilities. This approach fosters ownership of their learning process, encourages them to express their ideas, and connects their classroom experiences to real-world applications. The COVA framework ensures that every activity is grounded in authenticity, making learning more relevant and impactful.
Using Fink’s Three-Column Table and UbD for Blended Learning in Dual Language Kindergarten
This initiative strategically aligns learning outcomes, activities, and assessments to foster a cohesive and engaging learning environment through a blended learning station rotation model. The primary goal is to demonstrate how a student-centered, technology-enhanced approach can support dual language learners in developing critical thinking skills, foundational math concepts, and language proficiency. This model lays the groundwork for academic success and social-emotional development, preparing young learners for a dynamic, multilingual world.
I will integrate Fink’s Three-Column Table and the UbD (Understanding by Design) template I developed to guide the instructional design for this blended learning environment.
As part of my ongoing effort to support dual language learners in kindergarten, I have developed a comprehensive implementation outline for a blended learning station rotation model. This innovative approach combines technology-driven activities with hands-on learning experiences to foster critical thinking, language development, and math skills.
The model is designed to meet the diverse needs of young learners by creating a personalized and engaging educational environment that balances digital tools with traditional instructional methods. This initiative allows students to practice language skills, explore math concepts, and build confidence in a supportive, student-centered classroom setting.
I encourage you to watch the video below to find out how my instructional design cultivates a dynamic, vocabulary-rich environment that sparks curiosity and nurtures young learners' growth.
Experience a transformative approach to bilingual education for kindergarten students. Our innovative blended learning environment seamlessly integrates technology and hands-on activities, empowering young learners to develop strong foundations in both languages while mastering early math concepts. We foster confidence, curiosity, and meaningful growth by putting each student at the heart of their learning journey. The future speaks two languages!
References:
Bates, A.W. (2019). Teaching in a Digital Age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning. https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/ Videos from this post are also required viewing in the Discussion section.
Harapnuik. D. (2021). Assessment Of/For/As learning. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=8900
Harapnuik. D. (2020). Feedforward vs. Feedback. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=8273
Fink, L. D. (2013). Creating Significant Learning Experiences: An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Harapnuick, Thibodeaux , & Cummings. (2018, January). COVA. Lamar University. https://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/COVA_eBook_Jan_2018.pdf
Horn, M.B, Staker, H., & Christensen, C.M. (2017). Blended: using disruptive innovation to improve schools. Jossey–Bass.
Texas Education Agency. (2024, June). Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: Curriculum Standards, Austin, Texas: https://tea.texas.gov/academics