At Adelphi, we believe that bringing together students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences is what makes our programs so strong. In this series, we’re featuring four MA in Educational Technology alumni who came to the master’s program from an array of professional backgrounds and who found success afterwards in four different sectors.
My MA Story
An Interview With Kai Williams, Academic Technologist at Pace University
“Although I had no background in teaching when I first joined the program, this never created any issues with my understanding of the knowledge presented. Many classes also provided different opportunities to show my mastery of the content based on my interests and background.”
An occasional misconception of Adelphi’s MA in Educational Technology is that it calls for a background in K-12 teaching. But a degree in education or experience in front of a class is not an application requirement. More important are qualities like analytical and critical thinking skills, curiosity and a commitment to learning.
Kai Williams came to the Adelphi MA in EdTech with a background in multimedia software development and an interest in STEM education. After gaining hands-on experience through Adelphi, she is now an academic technologist at Pace University and is building a plan to open a STEM-focused elementary school.
Name: Kai Williams
Current Job: Academic technologist at Pace University
What led you to pursue a degree in EdTech?
After completing my BSc in Multimedia Programming, I decided that I wanted to teach in the field of STEM education. I decided to join a program that would give me the knowledge to be a skilled educator as well as provide me with hands-on experience with the tools that I needed.
Why did you select Adelphi’s MA in Educational Technology?
I chose Adelphi’s master’s after meeting with one of the lead instructors. I met with them for my interview and after our conversation, I felt that Adelphi University would be able to give me the support and networking I needed to excel in my career.
What was the learning experience like for you?
The experience was enriching and allowed me to create a lot of meaningful connections. I enjoyed a lot of the project-based classes and hands-on experiences that we were afforded.
Can you tell us about your current job?
Currently, I am an academic technologist at Pace University. I work with faculty and students to provide them assistance with their eLearning tools for synchronous and asynchronous learning. I also assist in the planning of EdTech talk workshops for faculty. I have also been quite lucky to be able to teach in the EdTech program as well (as an adjunct faculty member at Adelphi).
What are your long-term plans? Did the EdTech program help you achieve those goals?
It has also helped me to begin understanding the science of learning.
Is there anything else you would like others to know about this program?
Although I had no background in teaching when I first joined the program, this never created any issues with my understanding of the knowledge presented. Many classes also provided different opportunities to show my mastery of the content based on my interests and background, which made it easier to refine my skills and it made me more invested in the coursework.
Read our other EdTech alumni interviews in the series:
Katy Auchter, product manager at Knewton, Wiley | Jose W. Diaz, online learning manager at Fashion Institute of Technology | Loreto Dumitrescu, assistive technology evaluator at the New York City Department of Education
About Adelphi’s Online MA in Educational Technology
The Master of Arts in Educational Technology from Adelphi University is an innovative program that provides a theoretical and practical background in technology-supported learning.
Our fully online graduate degree offers a balance of hands-on training, computer programming and knowledge about teaching and learning.
The only admissions requirement for the MA in EdTech is a bachelor’s degree in any subject. As a result, our online program attracts individuals from a broad range of educational and professional backgrounds including teaching, instructional design, library science, communications, web design, software engineering and computer science. Our students include newcomers to the field as well as professionals looking to change careers or expand their skills.
To learn more about the online MA in EdTech, download our program brochure. You can also talk with an enrollment counselor at 888.252.4110.
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