By Michael Hilkemeijer
From Learning What ICT Means to Leading with Technology:
A Member’s Journey in Primary Education
When Emily first joined the ICT in Education Teacher Academy, she was a passionate primary school teacher determined to better integrate technology into her classroom. But like many teachers, she found herself asking, “What is ICT in primary education?” and “Why is ICT important in education?”
Her journey began with one simple goal: to understand the importance of ICT in primary schools and learn how to apply it meaningfully. Little did Emily know that through structured guidance, ready-to-use lesson plans, and the support of a vibrant professional community, she would soon be leading ICT initiatives within her school—and creating and sharing her own ICT-integrated lesson plans!
Why is ICT Important in Primary Education?
Understanding the importance of ICT in education is vital for preparing students for a world increasingly shaped by technology.
The role of ICT in education goes beyond using devices—it supports critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving from an early age. When we ask, “What is the importance of ICT in education?”, the answer lies in how technology:
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Enhances communication and information access
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Builds foundational digital literacy
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Strengthens problem-solving and reasoning skills
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Encourages creativity and collaboration
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Prepares students for future careers and citizenship
The relevance of ICT in education is undeniable: today’s students must be able to navigate, create, and evaluate digital content confidently.
This is why the importance of ICT for students in the primary years cannot be overstated—it forms the bedrock of lifelong learning.
List: 10 Importance of ICT in Education
Enhances learning opportunities
Supports differentiated instruction
Promotes student engagement
Builds digital literacy
Encourages creativity
Fosters collaboration
Develops critical thinking
Supports inclusive education
Prepares students for digital citizenship
Enables global connections
As Emily discovered, understanding the importance of ICT in primary education was the first step—but applying it effectively required a structured path.
Emily’s Path: From Beginner to Leader with Our Done-for-You Lesson Plans
When Emily joined the membership, she immediately accessed done-for-you ICT lesson plans for primary teachers. These lesson plans simplified the often overwhelming question of how to teach ICT in primary schools by providing practical, curriculum-linked activities.
Here are examples of ICT activities available inside the membership for primary educators:
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Outdoor Digital Storytelling – Using Book Creator to create multimedia nature stories Outdoor digital storyte…
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QR Code Nature Hunt – Scanning QR codes to discover facts about the environment QR code nature hunt
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Problem-Solving with Programmable Toys – Coding challenges using Bee Bots to reinforce spatial reasoning Problem solving activit…Problem solving activit…Problem solving activit…
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Digital Nature Walk and Photography – Capturing patterns and textures in nature with tablets and creating digital collages Digital nature walk and…
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Learning About Computers – Understanding the functions of computer parts and using educational software Learning about computers
Each lesson plan connected Emily’s teaching directly to the importance of ICT skills for students, developing competencies like problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy.
Key ICT Tools and Technologies in Primary Education
Through our membership, Emily not only learned what ICT stands for in education (Information and Communication Technology) but also how to practically apply it across a range of powerful digital tools and platforms.
Here’s a comprehensive list of ICT in primary education technologies Emily explored and implemented through our done-for-you lesson plans and membership resources:
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Word Processing Software – Learning key skills in formatting, document creation, and publishing written work (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs).
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Spreadsheet Programs – Recording, organizing, and analysing information through programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
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Advanced Web Searching Skills – Teaching students how to research efficiently and critically evaluate online sources.
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Animation – Creating claymation videos or digital drawing animations to enhance storytelling and artistic expression.
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Podcasting – Producing audio stories or interviews to develop communication skills and digital media literacy.
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Presentation Software – Designing and delivering engaging presentations using tools such as PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides.
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Blogging and Web 2.0 Tools – Publishing digital writing projects through safe blogging platforms, enhancing authentic writing experiences.
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Publishing Tools – Creating newsletters, magazines, or eBooks to showcase students’ work to real audiences.
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Making Videos or Movies – Capturing and editing short films using tablets, smartphones, or basic editing software.
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Web Design Projects – Introducing students to simple website creation to publish portfolios or collaborative class projects.
By engaging with these digital learning opportunities, Emily built her students' ICT skills for primary students while embedding essential digital literacy practices into everyday learning.
Most importantly, she realised the benefits of using technology tools in learning: not just for skill development, but for empowering students to communicate, collaborate, create, and problem-solve with confidence.
How the Membership Resources Empowered Emily
Beyond the lesson plans, the ICT in Education Teacher Academy provided Emily with powerful support systems to help her maximise her available ICT:
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The Membership Workbook – Emily used it to plan, track, and reflect on her ICT integration journey, moving from basic application to true transformation. The workbook was her constant companion for developing ICT skills for primary students and for her own professional growth.
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The Members' Library – Access to additional lesson ideas, templates, and downloadable resources.
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The Community Forum – Where she asked questions, shared wins, and learned new strategies from other primary educators.
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The Wisdom Tool – To instantly find solutions to challenges like "How do I use limited devices effectively?" or "How can I differentiate ICT tasks for different learners?"
Through this support, Emily didn't just apply ICT; she began teaching ICT in primary schools confidently and intentionally.
Today, Emily isn’t just downloading lesson plans.
She’s designing and sharing her own ICT lesson activities within the membership community—helping others by showcasing real-world examples of positive impact of ICT in education.
She embodies the importance of ICT education and the true significance of ICT in education: developing skills, sharing knowledge, and leading by example.
The Bigger Picture: Why ICT Must Be Embedded in Primary Education
If we truly value the importance of information and communication technology in education, we must support teachers with resources that allow for seamless integration, practical application, and reflective professional growth.
Primary education is where the foundation is laid. Teaching literacy in primary schools today must include digital literacy. The ICT curriculum for primary schools should not be an add-on; it must be embedded into everyday learning because:
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The importance of ICT in the classroom is now as fundamental as literacy and numeracy.
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The need for ICT in education grows stronger as digital expectations increase globally.
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The importance of ICT for teachers is essential to inspire, empower, and lead the next generation.
Integrating ICT in Primary Education: Building the Foundations for Future Learning
In today’s classrooms, integrating ICT in primary education is no longer optional—it is essential for preparing students for the demands of the digital world.
Technology in primary education supports not only engagement but also critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration, laying the groundwork for success across all areas of learning.
At its heart, ICT in primary schools goes beyond teaching children how to use devices. It involves using technology as a powerful tool to enhance understanding, build foundational skills, and make learning experiences richer and more meaningful.
Why ICT Integration Matters in Primary Education
The importance of ICT in primary education lies in its ability to create active, hands-on learning environments.
When students interact with technology in primary schools, they are:
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Developing essential ICT skills for primary students, such as word processing, digital storytelling, and online research
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Engaging in collaborative projects that mirror real-world problem-solving
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Learning how to communicate ideas through multiple digital platforms
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Accessing a wider range of information and perspectives to deepen their understanding
A strong ICT curriculum for primary schools ensures that technology is not treated as a separate subject, but rather as an integrated part of everyday learning across literacy, numeracy, science, and the arts.
Practical Applications of ICT in Primary Schools
Effective use of ICT in primary education brings learning to life in exciting and interactive ways.
Inside the ICT in Education Teacher Academy, primary educators can access a range of structured activities that seamlessly integrate technology into literacy and general learning.
Some practical applications include:
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Advanced Web Searching and Information Evaluation
Students can develop essential online research skills by completing activities such as:-
Effective Searching and Research Skillsliteracy 1
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Website Evaluation Activitiesliteracy 2
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Creating and Publishing Sequential Narratives
Students use word processors like MS Word to plan, draft, and publish imaginative texts:-
Narrative Text: Creating a Sequential Narrative from PicturesYear 4 Litearcy activit…
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Describing Emotions and Body Language through Digital Storytelling
Students use word processors and images to enhance their understanding of characters:-
Narrative Text: Describing Emotions and Body LanguageYear 4 Litearcy activit…
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Year 3 Narrative Activity: Emotions and Body LanguageYear 3 Literacy Activit…
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Building Storytelling Skills with Presentation Software
Students apply their understanding of story structure by creating multimedia narratives:-
Narrative Story Writing with PowerPointYear 3 Literacy Activit…
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Designing Persuasive Advertisements
Using PowerPoint tools, students explore persuasive writing and multimodal text creation:-
Persuasive Text with PowerPointYear 3 Literacy Activit…
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Each of these activities is specifically designed to build ICT capability, enhance literacy outcomes, and align with the Australian Curriculum.
With access to done-for-you activities like these, teachers can confidently meet curriculum requirements while creating rich, engaging, and future-focused learning environments.
Supporting Teachers to Make ICT Integration Easy
For many teachers, knowing how to integrate ICT in primary education can feel overwhelming.
Without clear guidance, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using technology for its own sake rather than aligning it meaningfully with curriculum goals.
Many educators ask:
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"How do I integrate technology into my everyday literacy or science lessons?"
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"How do I maximise limited access to devices?"
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"How can I ensure I'm teaching the ICT skills my students need without adding to my already full workload?"
This is where the ICT in Education Teacher Academy provides real, transformational support.
Inside the membership, teachers are equipped with:
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Done-for-you lesson plans – Each plan seamlessly integrates ICT into core subjects like literacy, numeracy, science, and the arts. They are ready to use or adapt to suit your unique classroom needs.
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The Membership Workbook – This structured, step-by-step tool helps teachers plan ICT-rich lessons, track their professional growth, align with ICT capability standards, and move through stages of transformation with confidence.
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The Members' Library – An evolving collection of activities, templates, and resources specifically designed for integrating ICT meaningfully into primary classrooms.
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The Community Forum – A space where teachers connect, share lesson ideas, seek advice on using available technology, and celebrate successes together.
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The Wisdom Tool – Your on-demand knowledge hub, helping you find instant answers to practical ICT integration questions like "How can I differentiate an ICT activity for students with additional needs?" or "What’s the best way to teach blogging skills to Year 3 students?"
Instead of facing ICT integration alone, teachers have access to a professional learning community that supports growth, creativity, and curriculum success.
Through this structured, practical support, members move beyond simply "using technology" to embedding ICT purposefully — fostering creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication among their students.
Building Future-Ready Learners
By embedding ICT in primary schools thoughtfully, we are not just teaching students to use technology—we are equipping them with the tools to thrive in a changing world.
The skills they develop today will support their lifelong learning journey, making the integration of ICT in primary education one of the most powerful investments we can make in their future.
Are you ready to lead ICT integration in your classroom?
Join the ICT in Education Teacher Academy and gain access to lesson plans, community support, and the roadmap you need to transform your teaching with technology!
What is the Importance of ICT in Primary Ed?
Over the past number of years and certainly decades, we have all witnessed the rapid emergence of new and emerging Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Everyone we know is involved in its use.
In the past, I have written extensively about the benefits of ICT in education, and in this article, I will share with you my why primary schools need ICT today.
Learning is socially constructed and today, student-centred learning is a fundamental strategy that all teachers must employ in their classrooms.
ICT is important in enabling this to occur as it can be used by students to construct (and even deconstruct) knowledge and understanding.
Students are now given more responsibility and control over their own learning. However, students can learn without it.
ICT in Primary Education
Political reasons
Most governments, the Australian government particularly, wants its students to have the necessary skills, hence teachers need to aware of the importance of ICT.
This is the reason why looking at the Australian Curriculum as an example, demonstrates the encouragement and use of ICT, and the development of ICT capability (now the Digital Literacy capability).
Governments are recognising that we are all living in a ‘Learning Society’ where it is significant to have the skills learned by using ICT that help students become lifelong learners.
Personal/professional reasons
Many teachers use ICT in their personal lives and sometimes this crosses with professional reasons. For example, professional development for primary teachers may be delivered through online courses such as those in my ICT in Education Teacher Academy. Teachers commonly search for online professional development through ICT as well as about ICT for their in-service needs.
Professional/student needs
Today, most curriculums are online and so it is important for teachers to keep track of any changes that may or may not be expected.
Children who enter school environments today are commonly labeled as the ‘digital natives’ meaning that they most likely have had some exposure to ICT in their lives. Good pedagogy builds on what children already know and so as a teacher, you need to be aware of these possibilities and provide the right opportunities for all students to make the best use of the ICT available in both school and home.
Professional/Pedagogical reasons
What are the pedagogical reasons for using ICT? The importance of ICT in primary education is widely recognised not necessarily as a subject to be taught independently, but as a means of enhancing learning and teaching across subject areas.
Effective teaching takes account of the different learning styles of children. For this reason, you need to present and explain in different ways so that you can communicate with all children who, in any age group, will have a range of different learning styles.
Another reason that highlights the importance of ICT in primary education is that it can have a positive effect on attainment. There is strong evidence in literature that suggests that this is occurring. This indicates that the crucial component in the appropriate selection and use of ICT in primary schools is the teacher and their pedagogical approaches.
It is important to understand and realise that just using ICT does not mean it will have a positive impact on learning. You need to be aware of the full range of ICT’s capabilities from which you can select the most appropriate uses.
The use of ICT in primary schools develops digital literacy and this prepares children to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are constantly transformed by ICT that continues to emerge and develop.
Children in primary education can use ICT to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly, creatively and with discrimination. The use of ICT in primary schools helps children to learn how to employ ICT to enable rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures.
Additionally, it has been said that the increased use of ICT in primary education will promote initiative and independent learning as children are able to make informed judgements about when and where to use ICT to best effect, and consider its implications for home and work both now and in the future.
Are You Ready to Maximise Your ICT Potential Like Emily?
Imagine moving beyond searching for “what are the uses of ICT in education” and instead becoming the teacher who leads ICT integration in your school.
The ICT in Education Teacher Academy offers you everything you need to succeed:
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Ready-to-use lesson plans linked to key curriculum outcomes.
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A structured workbook guiding you toward transformation.
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A professional community ready to support your growth.
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Practical resources that show you how to optimise your available ICT for real impact.
👉 Become a member today and start your journey from learning ICT in primary education to leading it confidently and creatively!