(cross posted on the Edutech blog)
We recently welcomed the spring and summer group of MAET graduates to campus on the evening of May 4th. It is always privilege and an honor to meet our students and their families during such a celebratory time.
MAET spreads across three forms – online, hybrid and face to face in our overseas program. About 60% of our student body completes the MAET program entirely online. For our online students the common space we all share is “the internet.” We know each other by email addresses, twitter handles, Facebook profiles and sometimes a Skype conversation or a phone call. I look forward to graduation every fall and spring because it gives me the opportunity to meet my students and advisees “for real.” We try hard to make the connection at MACUL or conferences, but sometimes, it’s just not possible.
I would like to bring your attention to a wonderful post by recent MAED grad Nick Sproull. (Often, we’re able to connect with students in the other programs in the college since the MAET and MAED programs share courses.) I meet Nick a few years at a Virtual Schools conference – he noticed my MSU gear and we started chatting. Nick eloquently and succinctly articulates what we hope all MAET students experience during their time in our program in his special guest post that was published today on GradHacker – please take a minute to read and comment:
Think Outside the LMS by Nick Sproull – http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/think-outside-lms
As you continue your journey beyond MAET – remember, you are connected not only to your MAET peers, but to the wider MSUAA network – “your personal network for life.” I encourage you to read the note to graduates from our Alumni Association director Scott Westerman and to redeem your free 2-year membership to the alumni association. I will frequently post job postings and information for alumni on our @MAET twitter feed and you can also join the MSU College of Education LinkedIn group for job postings and discussion.
In closing, we want to sincerely thank you for your dedication, hard work and contributions to the MAET community. As we all know, learning never ends (especially in the field of educational technology!) so please stay in touch and continue to share your successes as you continue your journey of lifelong education.