The End - April 2013
Looking Back...
The completion of this Masters has not been an easy feat. For the first time in my life, I paid for this degree without any assistance from parents or student loans. Its a gratifying and fulfilling feeling to invest in yourself, with your own funds. Its character building, and I think when I am a father it will be something I will have my children engage in.
As a learner, I have endured in this graduate program. In my research of all tasks, postings, essays, reflections, and essays, I feel that I have absorbed more than I would as a learner at any prior points in my life. I looked at all the information I was reviewing and synthesizing and slotting all points not only in the paper I was assembling, but in my mind as a professional. I always thought how could the information I am acquiring right now manifest itself into my practice or future as an educator. It hit me that my strengths as a learner come to fruition when what I am learning is relevant to me! Yes, we all learn a great deal about things we are interested in (for example, I love music and know a great deal about North American musical history). However, it is only when the learning is relevant to me where I can ask critical questions, push for further analysis, and synthesize between related (and unrelated) ideas. I knew this even in my undergrad when I made the decision to go into education. However, I am now completely in the education field, and I have the agency to take all this learning I have acquired and absorbed, and do something with it! Learning through this degree, as I have mentioned at various points in this portfolio, has given me a zest and urge to do something of great importance in the education field. The learning, not the degree, has given me the confidence to go to greater lengths in my career in the very near future.
All things mentioned, the degree has come to an end, and I am overjoyed to close this chapter in my life, and see myself in a new light, as Sultan Rana, M. Ed.
As a learner, I have endured in this graduate program. In my research of all tasks, postings, essays, reflections, and essays, I feel that I have absorbed more than I would as a learner at any prior points in my life. I looked at all the information I was reviewing and synthesizing and slotting all points not only in the paper I was assembling, but in my mind as a professional. I always thought how could the information I am acquiring right now manifest itself into my practice or future as an educator. It hit me that my strengths as a learner come to fruition when what I am learning is relevant to me! Yes, we all learn a great deal about things we are interested in (for example, I love music and know a great deal about North American musical history). However, it is only when the learning is relevant to me where I can ask critical questions, push for further analysis, and synthesize between related (and unrelated) ideas. I knew this even in my undergrad when I made the decision to go into education. However, I am now completely in the education field, and I have the agency to take all this learning I have acquired and absorbed, and do something with it! Learning through this degree, as I have mentioned at various points in this portfolio, has given me a zest and urge to do something of great importance in the education field. The learning, not the degree, has given me the confidence to go to greater lengths in my career in the very near future.
All things mentioned, the degree has come to an end, and I am overjoyed to close this chapter in my life, and see myself in a new light, as Sultan Rana, M. Ed.
M. Ed. Learning Consolidation
Taking all the quotations I listed in this portfolio, I have assembled them all into a graphic that shows the learning I have accomplished across all courses and experiences in the acquisition of this Masters in Education degree.
In knowing that my drive in the education sector is to advocate for the most disenfranchised students, I look to have Digital Literacy, Student Engagement, and Leadership for Change be the pillars that are the foundation of all I have learned in this Masters in Education degree.
May all the quotes there be a reminder to how much I learned in the degree to empower myself with such poignant opinions and point of views.
In knowing that my drive in the education sector is to advocate for the most disenfranchised students, I look to have Digital Literacy, Student Engagement, and Leadership for Change be the pillars that are the foundation of all I have learned in this Masters in Education degree.
May all the quotes there be a reminder to how much I learned in the degree to empower myself with such poignant opinions and point of views.
Looking Forward...
As I said in the presentation of my final course, Dynamics of Change (EDUC 5203), I am going to persevere to become a strong conduit of change who ascends to a position of influence to support the learning needs of those who are most disenfranchised in the education sector.
With digital technologies being at the core of all reform, tech will be used to provide access to learning experiences for all students. Furthermore, with that technology and visionary leadership, students will have access to the best and most innovative platforms and programming. Along with that, exposure to best practices and an engaging curriculum, students will be empowered to use these digital technologies to advocate for themselves, and bring their intelligence to new and higher levels, allowing for the eventual closure of achievement between mainstream Canadian students, and those who are considered to be the most marginalized and deprived.
The Masters of Education program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology has afforded me the ability to create a vision and set goals, and further endorse those items with sound research, critical thinking, and explicit planning. I will for many years look back on this portfolio as a testament to myself, and how at one point in my career, I set out to be a leader who will attempt to change the education sector by endorsing digital literacy and engagement among the most overlooked in our society. I hope with each time I return to this online space, I come closer to fulfilling my aspirations.
With digital technologies being at the core of all reform, tech will be used to provide access to learning experiences for all students. Furthermore, with that technology and visionary leadership, students will have access to the best and most innovative platforms and programming. Along with that, exposure to best practices and an engaging curriculum, students will be empowered to use these digital technologies to advocate for themselves, and bring their intelligence to new and higher levels, allowing for the eventual closure of achievement between mainstream Canadian students, and those who are considered to be the most marginalized and deprived.
The Masters of Education program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology has afforded me the ability to create a vision and set goals, and further endorse those items with sound research, critical thinking, and explicit planning. I will for many years look back on this portfolio as a testament to myself, and how at one point in my career, I set out to be a leader who will attempt to change the education sector by endorsing digital literacy and engagement among the most overlooked in our society. I hope with each time I return to this online space, I come closer to fulfilling my aspirations.