DIGITAL COMPETENCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS AND PRACTICAL APPROACHES
Abstract
The accelerating integration of digital technologies into contemporary educational systems has fundamentally transformed the professional demands placed upon primary school teachers, rendering digital competence a non-negotiable component of effective pedagogical practice at the foundational stage of schooling. This article presents a comprehensive theoretical and analytical review of the concept of digital competence as it applies specifically to the professional activity of primary school teachers, examining its definitional evolution, structural dimensions, internationally recognized frameworks, and practical implementation approaches within the primary education context. Drawing on a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature, international policy documents, and comparative educational research, the article first traces the conceptual development of digital competence from early information and communication technology (ICT) literacy frameworks through to contemporary multidimensional models, with particular reference to the European DigComp 2.2 framework, UNESCO's ICT Competency Framework for Teachers, and the TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) model. The article then examines the specific manifestations and demands of digital competence within primary school teaching practice, addressing the integration of digital tools in literacy and numeracy instruction, the pedagogical use of interactive learning environments, the ethical dimensions of digital education with young learners, and the cultivation of foundational digital literacy among primary-age children.
Keywords
digital competence, primary school teacher, ICT integration, DigComp framework, TPACK model, digital literacy, educational technology, pedagogical digitalization, teacher professional development, digital pedagogy, UNESCO ICT framework, e-learning, foundational digital skills, primary education, technology-enhanced learning.How to Cite
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mukhiddin Makhmudovich Berdiyev
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