Kit

        I finally have completed my master’s degree and possibly the end of formal schooling, but life and learning will continue beyond the master’s program.  My personal and professional growth is directly tied in with my commitment to lifelong learning.  I will be continuously challenged and motivated to contribute to the success of my students’ learning.  The Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program initiated and directed me towards my pursuit of learning technological tools and teaching strategies that I can use for effective teaching.  I do not envision myself to be like a “cyborg” who is overly dependent on technology but instead to become a non-fictional character who focuses on what really matters most to learners.  I see myself encouraging learners to be curious about and be interested in relevant technology for learning - this is the initial step to be able to let learners fully understand how technology can enhance their educational experience.
 

        My enthusiasm for using technology to make a difference in education will still remain and the fascination of exploring technology for learning and teaching will never end.  ​​This means that after completing the program, I should constantly -​
 

• Take the initiative to research and review educational tools and products that support any learning format as I develop or update the courses to teach. 

• Reinforce the use of online tools to students for data retention and productivity.

• Use more collaboration tools and social media to communicate with students and other people that contribute to the success of learning.

• Place a much higher value on learning by not just limiting myself to    professional development courses provided by work, but also sign up and attend webinars, online conferences/training, and workshops that are    related to my field of specialization.

• Have an active role in participating in discussion posts.

• Create my personal blog to share my ideas about common interests.

• Be an active contributor to my personal and professional learning network

• Use technology tools including aggregators for productivity, information    management, and data analysis.

• Give major significance to student feedback, thoughts, and feelings about    their learning experience with me.

• Use student misconceptions and misunderstood facts as a perfect moment   to search for answers and to thoughtfully teach and connect with them.  ​

​​

        I believe that these are attainable goals that will continually bring about successful and further learning growth.  Steve Jobs said moving words in his speech during the 2005 Stanford commencement ceremony.  He finished his message by quoting from The Whole Earth Catalog.  He said, “Stay hungry, Stay foolish.”​
​

I will “STAY HUNGRY". ​
 

        I will continue to seek out more information, networks, and knowledge that can further reinforce practical learning.  It is true that the MAET program has provided me a deeper understanding of how to effectively and efficiently integrate technology in education, but my future becomes the opportunity to apply what has been understood.   ​
 

I will “STAY FOOLISH”.​
 

        I cannot remain complacent with the skills and knowledge that I have acquired.  I would like to be a contributor to the future.  I will keep exploring new technology tools and learning and teaching strategies and will integrate these techniques into my teaching even when my students initially have difficulty grasping the value of what I am teaching.  Being foolish gives me the permission to create and to try new ideas and mindsets even when some people think these ideas are at best a distraction and at worst a waste of time.  I will keep on envisioning my relationship with my students as I strive to inspire them to value lifelong learning.

        All the tasks required in the MAET program involved increasing levels of complexity and diversity.  I had to perform projects that support the learning process such as understanding how to decide on relevant technology for education, realizing effective teaching strategies, valuing students’ approaches to learning, and choosing noteworthy subject matter for learning and teaching.

​

​