The Really Useful ICT Book：A practical guide to using technology across the primary curriculum

The Really Useful ICT Book is a practical and easy-to-use guide to give you all the confidence you need to use ICT really effectively inside and outside the primary classroom. It makes clear how ICT can be taught as a standalone subject, and how it can be used easily and imaginatively to enhance teaching other subjects.

Jam-packed with ideas and templates to save you time, this friendly handbook offers an introduction to:



using ICT inside the classroom – including interactive whiteboards, computer suites, VLEs and e-safety


using ICT outside the classroom – including word processors, laptops, data loggers and digital cameras


when and how to use a wide range of software and hardware – from spreadsheet packages through to digital photography, e-portfolios and software simulation


using ICT in all subject areas


practical suggestions for using ICT in cross-curricular topics


using ICT to develop teacher and pupil creativity


using ICT for assessment and in your professional role.


With an emphasis on developing children’s creativity and on progression from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2, The Really Useful ICT Book is a comprehensive compendium of advice and inspiration for all training, newly qualified and experienced teachers, as well as those in support roles in primary schools.

Jill Jesson is Senior Lecturer in Education, Sheffield Hallam University, UK.
Graham Peacock is Senior Lecturer in Education, Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Introduction: Finding new ways to learn Part 1: A Useful Guide to ICT in the Classroom 1.1 Creativity and ICT 1.2 Using ICT inside the classroom 1.3 Using ICT outside the classroom 1.4 Assessing children’s use of ICT 1.5 Use of ICT in a teacher’s professional role Part 2: A Useful Guide to Software and Hardware 2.1Word Processing 2.2 Spreadsheets 2.3 Databases 2.4 Branching Databases 2.5 Data-loggers 2.6 Digital cameras, movies, and photo-copiers 2.7 Digital Microscopes and Visualisers 2.8 Graphics software 2.9 Simulation software 2.10 Control technology, pixies and roamers Digital audio equipment 2.11 Hand-held devices 2.12 Multimedia authoring Part 3: Really Useful Ideas for Using ICT across the Curriculum 3.1 English 3.2 Mathematics 3.3 Science 3.4 MFL 3.5 History 3.6 Geography 3.7 D&T 3.8 Art 3.9 Music 3.10 PE 3.11 RE Part 4: Really Useful Ideas for Cross-Curricular Topics 4.1 Fabrics and bags enterprise project 4.2 Looking into the past 4.3 Our community 4.4 Learning about animals 4.5 Plants and growing 4.6 Famous people 4.7 Healthy me 4.8 Sport, Olympics and World Cup 4.9 Robots, superheroes and monsters 4.10 Caring for our planet