Who Owns the Eportfolio?

Throughout my time in the Digital Learning and Leading Program I honestly have felt a slight feeling of instability due to the amount of autonomy given for assignments.  As I learned more, I understood that the COVA model was a great influence in the way I was learning in the program. I had more choice in my assignments than I have ever had before.  The freedom to create authentically to MY learning and MY experience helped me to find a voice and an outlet in which to display what I have learned digitally. 

This week, I learned more about the ownership aspect of the COVA model and the digital production of my growth as a student in the online community.  On a surface level, I knew that I would not in fact have real ownership over what I initially produced unless I actually bought an online domain. However, when presented with more information, I realized that ownership has more to do with the "why" of the product. As a private person, Andrew Rikard's text ("Do I Own My Domain If You Grade It?") resonated with me when he stated that "public assignments tap into fears of public embarrassment."  Although this is extreme, I do believe that part of my learning process is private.  However, the sole reason I entered this program is to push myself past my comfort zone in order to learn and voice my thoughts, opinions and connections throughout the program in a more accessible way.  In order to do this, I must be comfortable with the sharing during the process instead and the final product.

Lastly, I believe that the ownership of the specific ideas, thoughts and interests of the student are somewhat tainted.  It is important that the instructors that are leading students through the process have ways to measure comprehension of concepts.  However, it is true that in my expereince, I have found myself investing in assignments of low interest. Performing the best I can in order to gain the best grade possible.  My opinions and thoughts were irrelevant in those cases because I was not actually making the connections of how this is significant to me. Whether assignments are on a digital platform or not, the student must be able to own the learning process in order to find value in what he or she does. 

I believe it is the responsibility of the instructor to expose learners to concepts with the help of COVA and other helpful learning models, however, in the end of it all, the student must ensure that connections are made through reflection, revisions and thoughts.  I believe that is the only way for students to actually OWN their learning.