MA Digital Literacies Culture and Childhood has changed many of my convictions about children's use of digital devices

I am Abdulaziz Alrashed from Kuwait, a Masters in Digital Literacies, Culture and Education student. This course changed many of my convictions about children's use of digital devices. I entered this course with contradictory convictions, namely that digital devices harm children, and we must reduce them and replace them with physical activities. On the other hand, I had ideas that using them in education makes schooling more attractive to children because it has become a significant part of the life of this generation. As a father of seven children I face many challenges at home around providing digital devices and setting time limits on their use, concerns around any mental, emotional, social and health aspects while also considering their benefits.

Subsequently the course has had a significant impact on changing my thoughts and convictions. I have become more lenient with my children in acquiring digital devices holding the view that digital games do not necessarily affect children's social interaction; on the contrary, some games, such as Minecraft, may develop this aspect because it allows children to play collectively and publish their productions via the Internet. My focus has become on selecting digital games for my children and their participation during the game more than determining the number of hours to use digital devices (screen time). I am convinced that digital devices contribute to the development of children's skills in eradicating illiteracy.

This course answered many of the questions, contradictions, and impressions that I had in my mind previously. This is due to the ability of the lecturers and the diversity of their experiences in this field. For example, Dr Aneesh has been instrumental in expanding my understanding of cultural and digital-related theories in children. Dr Fiona also developed the skills of integrating technology into children's education by transferring her experiences and research in this field.

As a student of this programme, I am fascinated by the teaching methods used by the lecturers, such as discussion, reflection, creativity and digital games and how they are used to communicate essential meanings. I am very excited to transfer the experience of these strategies used in teaching to my country and use them in my teaching. This program enhances students' knowledge and skills in educational technology and digital culture for children. This program positively impacts the life, family and professional aspects, as it is related to children and technology.