Primary school teachers’ perception of digital transformation and their teaching role

Digitalization is expected to have a broad impact on different aspects of everyday life, including primary education. By delving into the experiences and insights of primary school teachers, this study aims to explore and understand the conditions for the digital transformation of primary education from a long-term perspective. Between 2019 and 2022, four focus group discussions were conducted with primary school teachers to assess their perceptions of teachers’ everyday lives, the essential factors governing transformation in schools, and their professional roles from a twenty-year perspective. The focus groups were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, resulting in three themes with twelve subthemes. Findings indicate that teachers anticipate digitalization transforming education, leading to more personalized and interdisciplinary experiences while focusing on social relationships, with teachers as community facilitators. Substantial support through technology access, comprehensive training, and leadership is crucial to harness the potential of digital advancements.