When I applied for the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University, I was asked what three goals I had for the program were. I answered with the following: 

1. Deepen my understanding of how students and teachers interact with technology

2. Expand my foundation both in education and technology departments

3. Test my critical thinking skills

As I complete my program and reflect on these goals, I have a few lingering thoughts that I would like to share. 

 

First, I have given myself a deeper understanding of what these three goals truly meant. When asked about my goals, I had a certain idea of what I would experience in this program and what EdTech was all about. When I came into the MAET program, I was knee deep in the K-12 education world. Freshly graduated from Michigan State’s Elementary Education Teacher Preparation program, I had a very particular outlook on how Educational Technology functioned in the classroom. Shortly after this undergraduate graduation, I began a fellowship at Curriculum Associates, an Educational Technology publishing company which gave me a brand new outlook on EdTech. This fellowship coupled with my fresh education allowed me to realize that EdTech is not strictly about educational tools in the classroom, but a wide culmination of tools, pedagogies, theories, and practices. 

 

I have also put my critical thinking skills to the test in more ways than I could have initially imagined. Not only have I reflected on my past experience in the K-12 classroom, but I have also ideated, formulated, revised, and executed new projects in my professional role. Coming into this program I was expecting to do a lot of work critically thinking about my impact on past and future work with young students. Instead, I found that I spent much time critically thinking and reflecting on my own current work with colleagues. The unexpected, yet pleasantly surprising shift in audience allowed me to put my education to the immediate test and receive live feedback from peers and colleagues, and expanded my expertise in adult learning. 

 

As I wrap up my time in the MAET program and prepare to launch my skills in the EdTech world, I have created a new set of goals which I hope serve as beacons in my professional life. My goals are as follows: 

1. Ensure equitable and accessible technology for all learners

2. Strengthen the teacher relationship with educational technology tools

3. Spread confidence in the ability of technology to be used for good

It is my intent for these to be large and somewhat vague goals. My hope is that as I progress throughout my career, these beacons will be able to guide me in whatever path I choose to take. Whether that be in a K-12 classroom, at a corporate organization, or somewhere unrelated to the EdTech world, these goals will always be a guiding light.