ICT in French Primary Education, Twenty Years Later: Infusion or Transformation?

Twenty years have elapsed since ICT has been introduced on a large scale in French primary schools. Since then many developments have occurred, many of them outside of the technical sphere (for example decentralization has much progressed), new issues have appeared. This paper briefly analyzes changes and trends in the field of ICT in French primary education. It suggests that the development of ICT, still uncomplete, does not seem to have brought much change in the system. However, new ideas and activities have emerged, that deserve further research and invite to international comparisons. First contextual elements about France and the situation of primary education are recalled. Then issues linked with the development of ICT are analysed, taking into account the situation of both pupils and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]