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Looking Towards the Future"I have been maturing as a teacher. New experiences bring new sensitivities and flexibility." Howard Lester

By: Nevin Kamal

When I look back at my life, I find that I enjoy learning new things. I have to admit that I was not particularly happy

when I had to complete an assignment, but I have to confess that I usually enjoyed it once it was finished. Although

this is my final course in my masters program, I will continue to look for new technologies in different ways. I enjoy

collaborating with other students in the program, and for me, the most beneficial and constructive conversations have

been in the final course CEP 807. The MAET program is a unique learning experience for me. In addition to learning

new technologies, I have learned different ways of organizing my learning from different instructors delivering the

courses.I am happy that I chose to pursue my masters in educational technology because it is a very vibrant and evolving

field. Not only this, the current trend in education worldwide is heading towards integrating and using technologies

and is moving more towards creating a paperless classroom. Therefore, I believe it would be better for my career

growth to keep updated with new technologies. This program has given me the opportunities to know and master

essential technology skills and education theories.In reflecting upon my future career as a learner and as an educator I think about the quote by Tony Robbins, Stay

committed to your decisions; but stay flexible in your approach. This quote has resonated with me since I first

applied to the MAET program and as I am currently finishing it looking to my future.First, stay committed to your decisions. Since technology has become an inherent part in education, my primary

objective as a teacher is to look for different ways to integrate technology effectively in my teaching to increase

students achievement and learning. This objective can be attained by attending workshop arranged by my university

and other universities, joining different webinars, visiting websites such as Classroom 2.0, and MACUL to share what

I know with others and to learn from others experiences. Furthermore, I will continue my web search to share ideasthrough visiting blogs and adding my own experiences to my blog and share them with others.The MAET program is very practical and inspiring as it has introduced me to many technologies that I am able to use

with my students in class such as screencasts, podcasts, web publishing and others. I would like to explore other

technologies and be able to use them effectively and efficiently in the classroom. I am a very independent person and

that is I why I use video tutorials to get acquainted with many new technologies and will continue to do this to develop

my teaching.

My subsequent goal is to become a technology leader in my teaching context. I will start out this goal slowly by

sharing with my colleagues new classroom technologies and when I feel comfortable with my new role, I will be more

assertive and apply for a technology leader position at my university.Second, stay flexible in your approach. When reflecting on my teaching experience, I have to think about my

students; what about them? Well! My students are digital natives. They are born into a digital culture and feel more

comfortable with many technologies that adults struggle with for some time. Students cannot imagine their lives

without their smart phones, IPads, IPods, and others. Therefore, I have decided to take my students interests and

needs into account and tailor my teaching accordingly, and in my opinion, the best way to reach out for my students

is to learn from them.

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In order to maintain a flexible approach in my teaching I have to stay open minded. Throughout the MAET program, I

was engaged in discussions about the most appropriate practices in the classroom. I have learnt that I should be

aware of what other teachers are doing in their classrooms and also what research says about different teaching

methods and approaches. Since technology evolves fast, it is essential for me to have an open mindset when

integrating technology in the classroom. The best way to learn how to apply the best practices is by sharing what I

know with my colleagues and students. Throughout the program, I got to realize that observation is the best practicefor any successful teacher. To continue this practice, I plan to join in peer observations in my teaching context to

share with other teachers their moments of failure and success and to learn from these moments.Coming to the final point, what about my future? In fact, I do not have a clear answer as I live in a very mobile society

and needs are in constant change. However, I am quite sure that my past and my present have prepared me very

well to meet future challenges; and the only way that will allow me to meet future challenges is by being eager to

learn and improve. I have gained much knowledge about technology in the classroom and I am ready to share it with

others. As I am about to finish my masters program, I realize the huge possibilities my future can hold when it comes

to acquiring new knowledge and improve my understanding of how technologies can be used in the classroom.