Primary Students and AI: Nurturing Digital Literacy from an Early Age: 12, 19, & 26 November

Presented by John Mikton
12, 19, & 26 November 2025
15:00-17:00 on each day (London time)

“She is always there. She never says no. She always has a nice voice.”

This comment from a Year 3 student shows how naturally AI is entering children’s lives. From friendly voice assistants to personalized online experiences, young learners are already using AI often without even knowing it.

These three interactive 120-minute online workshops are designed to support international school educators. We’ll explore simple, meaningful ways to help primary students understand the digital world around them. Through discussion, group activities, and real examples, you’ll explore ideas together and create classroom activities that help children be curious, think carefully, care about others, and start using digital tools responsibly.

Workshop 1: How Young Children Meet AI in Everyday Life

Discover how children aged 3–11 are already interacting with AI through toys, apps, and learning tools often in ways that go unnoticed. Together, we’ll explore what this means for teaching and learning. Through discussion, classroom examples, and shared reflection, you’ll come away with approachable ways to begin talking about AI with young learners in a way that fits your context.

Workshop 2: Guiding Children to Think Critically About AI Ethics

This session invites you to consider how we help children think about fairness, truth, and kindness when using digital tools. You’ll explore these big ideas through real classroom moments and peer discussion, building a shared understanding of how to guide ethical conversations in age-appropriate ways. The focus will be on what’s possible, practical, and meaningful in your setting.

Workshop 3: Using AI Tools in the Primary Classroom

In our final session, we’ll look at what it really means to bring AI tools into a primary classroom with care. We’ll unpack examples together, considering challenges like privacy and equity. Through collaborative discussion and hands-on planning, you’ll start to shape your own approach—one that supports learning while staying grounded in the needs of young students and your school’s values.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

John Mikton has three decades of experience in education and media technology, and currently serves as Digital Learning Facilitator at the International School of Geneva – La Châtaigneraie. With a career spanning leadership roles such as IT Director, Director of eLearning, Head of Education and Media Technology, and Deputy Principal, he has worked in international schools across Africa, Asia, and Europe, always with a focus on integrating digital fluency into meaningful teaching and learning practices. 

John is an experienced facilitator and trainer, and currently a Course Facilitator with the ECIS Middle Leader Certificate Programme, supporting aspiring middle leaders to develop essential leadership competencies. He is also a trainer and course designer at the Principal Training Center, and coach for the Faria Education Group, guiding teams in enhancing digital strategy and leadership. 

John is co-host of the International Schools Podcast, contributing to conversations on innovation and leadership in international education. He is recognized with the ISC Research Award in both 2021 and 2022. Explore portfolio and professional projects at https://beyonddigital.org.