As I reflect on my journey in the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University, I give deep thought to how it has not only helped me to meet my goals but also how it has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities when it comes to education, technology and my aspirations. My first and foremost goal when choosing to join the world of MAET was to continue to be a lifelong learner. I believe it is important to aspire to grow as a well-rounded person throughout life, always striving to be a better version of myself, and this program has served this purpose. I have learned a tremendous amount about education, technology and myself. One of the most invaluable opportunities I was given in the MAET program was to meet and collaborate with others. This experience taught me that the best resource you can have is people; I have worked with so many amazing individuals that have taught me new ideas and perspectives and who I plan to stay in contact with. As a result, I now strive to connect with, learn from and share ideas with others to continue my ambition of being a lifelong learner.

 

Another goal I had when entering this program was to learn how to successfully educate students and teachers in the 21st century. In the beginning, I pictured this as learning to teach with all the latest technologies and applications, but I now have a whole new perspective on what 21st-century learning is. You don’t have to have the most expensive and high-tech devices in order to teach in the 21st century; learning is about being creative and innovative to accomplish your goals, whether that includes a 3-D printer or common household and classroom items. It’s about curiosity, collaborating, creating, failing and most importantly, not giving up. In my classroom now, I encourage my students to ask questions, work with others, and be resourceful and creative. I have taught them the difference between a fixed and growth mindset. Instead of saying, "I give up", my students now say, "I'll use a different strategy". Instead of skipping a project because we don't have the resources, my students and I come up with alternative projects or reach out to the community for support. Therefore, my end goal of feeling confident in 21st-century teaching and learning has not been altered, but my idea of what it looks like has changed tremendously.

 

As my journey in the MAET program culminates, I now strive for successes in ways that I would’ve never dreamed were possible before. I am now equipped with the resources, knowledge and courage to continue to better myself and be apart of 21st-century learning and teaching.

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