When I applied to the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program, I wasn’t simply looking to earn another credential. I was seeking a deeper understanding of how learning works and how to design with greater intentionality. My primary goal was to strengthen my theoretical foundation in educational design. I already had a strong background in secondary education and knew how to adapt and apply new ideas, but I wanted to identify and address the gaps in my understanding. I was especially drawn to the Learning Experience Design focus, which aligned with my desire to build impactful, thoughtful experiences for adult learners.

From the start, I challenged myself to reconsider how I use technology in learning environments. I had seen firsthand, particularly during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, how critical thoughtful design could be. During that time, I restructured entire courses, redesigned grading systems, and created new ways for students to engage meaningfully in digital spaces. Through that work, I realized that designing effective learning experiences was more than just part of my job. It was the direction I wanted to pursue more fully.

The MAET program has offered the space to do that. One of the courses that has helped my thus far has been CEP 800, which strengthened my existing understanding of learning theory and allowed me to define my own. It gave me a vocabulary and framework to articulate what I believed about how people learn, and it connected theory to the realities of practice in a way that felt authentic. More recently, CEP 813 has pushed me even further by challenging my assumptions about assessment. This course has helped me think differently about the purpose of assessment in adult learning, and I can feel the ways it is shifting my approach to design in real time.

While the core of my original goals has remained the same, my perspective has matured. At the outset, I hoped this program would help me transition into a new professional role. What I did not anticipate was that I would achieve that goal while still completing the program. I recently accepted a position as an instructional designer, and now I see this portfolio not just as a culminating project, but as a foundation for my future. It is a place where I can continue to reflect, share, and grow as I contribute to the field.

Graduate school has not changed my vision, it has clarified it. The MAET program is giving me the tools, language, and confidence I need to move forward with purpose. I am learning not only how to design with intention, but also why it matters so deeply to do so.