We live in a world that is quickly evolving. New advancements in technology are continuously impacting many professions and industries. In education, this means transforming teaching and learning approaches towards more relevant and authentic learning experiences.

 

Learning spaces would no longer be confined to the classroom walls, but extended to alternative settings where learning can happen anywhere and at any time. Content would not be limited to what is written in the pages of textbooks, but would become more accessible and available in multiple modes. Instruction would be facilitated rather than lectured, which would then allow students to take ownership of their learning and excel in more personalized learning paths.

 

In order to meet fundamental milestones in these modern age circumstances, we should always model what we preach, especially with regards to lifelong learning and adjusting our instructional strategies. For these reasons, I chose to pursue a Master of Arts in Education (MAED) focusing on the Technology and Learning concentration. Consequently, I would use the knowledge acquired in the program to guide students to be active citizens with sufficient technological skills to succeed and to become competent professionals in society.

 

As a professional, my aim is to bring theoretical, pedagogical, and research expertise to my workplace to continually improve learning conditions for those students and adults within their local contexts. I want to be able to make informed decisions while designing learning materials so that students are given the opportunity to actively learn rather than passively receive information. This program provided me with the knowledge to better engage with my students and to meet their individual needs. I want to be a transparent teacher, a facilitator rather than a lecturer who finds practical and relevant solutions for learners to understand the often rather abstract tasks imposed by curriculum and testing systems. Therefore, I was willing to make a sincere effort in every class that I took to achieve well and to learn as much as I could to become empowered to develop learning experiences that are relevant and meaningful for my students. I also hoped that this study program would encourage me to think outside to box and to take newly gained knowledge as inspiration to literally take my students on alternative learning journeys and to unique learning environments whenever possible. I learned that in order to foster students' creativity, I needed to be creative in the way that I present topics.

 

As I approach the end of the MAED program, I reflect on my goals that I had set for myself and I believe they remain as important as ever. I hope to continue to professionally develop so that I stay up to date with modern teaching strategies and tools. Even though my goals have remained the same throughout the program, I confirm my belief that my education will not end with my graduation. Learning is not a phase or a box to be checked off in one’s life, but rather it is life itself.