When I originally applied for the Master of Arts in Education program at Michigan State University, my original goal was to continue growing as an educator as I strongly believe that no one is ever done learning. My main focus throughout the program and before I started, was to become more effective in the area of literacy as I chose to get my degree in literacy instruction. Throughout the program my main goal has always been the same when it comes to improving myself and my instruction for the good of my students. However, I have also really broadened and examined other instructional areas past those that zero in on literacy instruction and become yet more aware of how much the world of our students has changed even over this most recent decade and has now broadened my goal and view of where and how I hope to continue my journey to always be teaching at the most innovative and up to date level for the students that I service every day.

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Throughout my time in my master’s program, I have been exposed to many classes that focus on teaching with technology. I chose to explore these courses originally because my school is a STEM school, and we use and rely on technology daily for instruction with our students. However, over this 2020-2021 school year my interest has been peaked to a great extent due to the virtual learning environment that most teachers and students have been asked to take on with very little notice. The journey has been one of many challenges, but also new excitement for students and for many their engagement and success levels. I have learned through multiple courses that this is because the students in our classrooms today are considered to be digital natives as they have grown up with technology and it shapes much of their world. Many educators on the other hand have spent their entire education and teaching experiences using many of what is referred to often as “old school” practices and because of this they are considered to be digital immigrants. They are now facing a new challenge of learning to teach to a group of digitally immersed children that thrive when they are given the opportunity to use technology in their daily learning. Many teachers no longer have an “upper hand” when it comes to teaching in this way as they are new to this idea and the many different models of teaching with technology. They are referred to as digital immigrants as they are now being pushed to adapt and adopt technology into their lessons, activities and overall curriculum. This is and can be a huge learning curve for educators that have had minimal experience with technology and the fact that in our world today technology is always changing and being updated, it is very hard to keep up and ever feel totally and completely competent in these areas.

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The model of TPACK is one that I have been introduced to throughout my master’s program that resonated very strongly with me. It addresses the issue that for educators to be successful when it comes to using technology to educate our youth that they must not only be educated on how to use it effectively, but also have a deep enough understanding of the content they are teaching and their own pedagogy. These three things must be brought together to use technology in the most meaningful and effective ways for students and their success.

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Throughout this entire program I have spent much of my time reflecting on my own experiences, as well as critically thinking about what I can change and do differently with all the new information that I have learned and has been brought directly to my attention. I am no longer focused specifically on what I can do to learn and grow as a literacy instructor but in all other areas of my instruction as well. I feel as though throughout this journey in the master’s program, not only has my original goal stayed consistent, but has also been highly validated and made that much stronger. I am a firm believer that no single person is ever done learning or growing in their profession, but especially in the field of education. Not only are there always ways to improve, but the world around us and the students that we are educating are forever changing as well and us, as educators, we must grow, change and adapt to provide the best education to the diverse group of learners in our classrooms each and every day.