In the 21st century, technology integrated learning and teaching has become one of the most prominent topics and sought out professions. When I pursued a Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) degree through Michigan State University, I had both personal and professional goals entering this domain.
One of the goals stated in my MAET application was, “Through my education in the Master of Educational Technology program I would like to learn not only how to use technology effectively, but responsibly. I believe technology can be used to elevate student learning, allowing creativity or even utilizing information in a different media. I would like to continue my learning of how to use reliable resources, and communicate the best practices for my students.” This goal has remained the same and with confidence, one I constantly refine in the classroom. Throughout my education in the MAET program, I have grown in knowledge of how to cite and reference resources through safe media. My goal remains to continue educating students about digital citizenship and recognizing how to utilize and engage with relevant technology platforms. Professionally I would like to extend my growth in technology integration. I have had the pleasure of working with my mentor and colleagues that share the same passion for professional development. I would like to come back to my team and take a leadership role in the use of technology in the classroom. Since starting my master’s program in 2019, I have been excited about the learning opportunities to share with colleagues and students. This particular program draws in a vast variety of professionals, resulting in incredible opportunities to collaborate and share experiences within many fields.
In redefining my goals, one of my original statements regarded using data and technology. I entered into my teaching profession after a year of working within data analytics and disaggregating data to make informed decisions. As I progress in my career I want to evolve that goal to look at how we can use technology to offer meaningful feedback, rather than just “numbers”. An additional goal that has arisen from my growth in the MAET program is diving deeper into computational thinking through computer science, and general curriculum. I have had the pleasure of taking courses that allow me to envision “play” as a means of more than just meaningless tasks. I would like to make a goal as an educator to redefine my vision of learning through computational thinking skills such as problem-solving, creating, and most importantly through productive struggle.
My personal goals are similarly aligned with my mindset as an educator. Technology is undeniably a large part of our personal and professional life. Knowledge of how to use, shape, and create with technology will only continue to grow. My goal as an educator is to give my students tools and skills on how to thrive with the technology around them. More importantly, students need to see themselves as capable humans, ready to connect and share what they know. I strive to prioritize culturally responsive curriculum surrounding technology, and give students the accessibility to gaining these life-long skills.