When I was in middle school, one of our family friends who was palmist visited us. All my family members were excited to know about their future. I was a person who was not eager to know about what I wams going to be in the future, so rather I asked him, “Do you know if I am going to get the first position in the whole school this year too?” He replied, “I am not sure about this year's position, but I assure you will that you will go very far in education and achieve your goals.” I took these words in a playful way, but these words are the reality of my life as an educator and lifelong learner. In fact, I was a gritty person who always wished, prayed and worked hard only to get first place in academics and in co-curricular activities, too. Angela Lee Duckworth helped me to define myself. In terms of Angela, being a gritty person, I tried to stick to my goals despite numerous issues, problems, setbacks, and failures.

In my journey asin lifelong learning, curiosity and passion were driving forces whicthat took me to the University of Karachi to complete my Master’s in Biochemistry. This degree helped me to greceivet a teaching position as a Science and Chemistry teacher. While teaching there, I realized that I need aed proper professional training, and then I did my B. Ed and afthenr, my M.Ed. in Educational Psychology. The B.Ed. Aand M.Ed. were pretty tough for me as I got married during my B.Ed., Aand then my both my babies arrived during my studies. At that time, my first position in M.Ed. was only because of the prayers of the tiny, cute hands of my babies because I worked hard just to pass the exam only not to get a position.

As a teacher, I always envision students and educators, equipped with a mindset of creativity and innovation, growing together and becoming producers of their own learning. However, in reality, I lacked the basic understanding of new tools and innovative technologies used for education. This realization took me to Michigan State University to add one more destination in my journey, i.e. a Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET).

It is often said that online courses are for everyone, for every subject, for every instructor, and for a large number of students. Though, this statement doesid n’ot stand for me before joining MSU. My previous experience with online learning was horrible. I always prefer that I learned nothing except playing with my laptop in that content area. So I was slightly vulnerable to doing the MAET program online, even though I liked the program. However, my learning from MSU exceeded my expectations. It is because of my extraordinarily exceptional instructors. They delivered each course with dedication and in thoughtful ways that enhanced my growth as a student and educator. I can see my progress as a lifelong learner, my interaction with the students with special needs, online educators and technologists who can thoughtfully integrate technology into the lesson.

My learning experience with MAET so far proved to be challenging and rewarding as an educator and a learner toin adopting innovative technology to education. It provides me many opportunities to create unique and compelling experiences. I am not an expert in the field of technology integration, but I have learned a lot, beyond my expectations in this program which is hardifficult to summarisze and striving for more.