A little while ago, I was reading an article which highlighted some research by educational finance firm Syscap, revealing that over 10% of primary schools spend less than £10 on ICT for each pupil – some nothing at all. This got me thinking.
My son is in his third year of primary school but using ICT to communicate, play and create is already second nature to him. I regularly find myself outsmarted by him on the latest technologies, apps and digital tools – and he is only seven years old! It’s a medium the world is increasingly working in, and one which the younger generation are very much at ease with given they’ve never known life without it.
I was recently in touch with the Headteacher at Bamford Primary School in Lancashire, Cherie Rivero, who is passionate about enhancing her students’ creativity and confidence through the use of ICT.
Two years ago, Cherie introduced Adobe Photoshop to the school for her students in Years 4 to 6 and set them the task of designing an eight foot ‘Welcome to Bamford Primary School’ banner with pictures of themselves on it using the software – the design deemed the best now has pride of place outside the school.
This is just one of many great examples of how children as young as primary school age are using ICT to develop their creativity skills. The younger generation are eager to use these digital tools, we just need to open the door for them!
Liz Wilkins is Senior Marketing Manager for Education at Adobe Systems UK. Her involvement with Adobe Education products has seen her work closely with a range of educational institutions, championing the use of digital media tools in the curriculum, and their integration into a number of subject areas in order to better prepare students for the future demands of the workplace. Liz works closely with teachers and administrators integrating software, curriculums, and instructional resources as well as certification options and professional development tools. Through promoting digital literacy in cross-curricular education, teaching essential career skills, and streamlining administrative processes Liz has experience working in partnership with a diverse portfolio of schools and further education institutions. 
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