• MYCHELLIN S. DENSING
• Gina F. Labitad

In today's digital age, integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into education is critical for improving teaching and learning processes. Understanding this connection is vital for developing ways to improve technology competency and critical thinking capabilities in educational contexts. The main goal of the study is to determine the relationship between teachers’ ICT Competency and their higher-order thinking skills in the Villanueva South District, Division of Misamis Oriental. It sought to answer the level of teachers’ ICT competency, the teachers’ assessment of their higher-order thinking skills, and the significant relationship between the level of ICT competency and the teachers’ higher-order thinking skills. The responders comprised the total complete population of one hundred fifty (150) teachers. The collected data was analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The research instrument was a standardized questionnaire based on the National ICT Competency Standards for Teachers (NICS) and Limback and Waugh's higher-order thinking skills questionnaire. The findings show that teachers display various ICT competencies, including strong capabilities in addressing ethical concerns associated with technology, which is critical for developing secure digital learning environments. However, there is a clear need for greater technical integration in teaching techniques, particularly when developing defined learning objectives. The study found a significant correlation between teachers' professional ICT abilities and their capacity to nurture higher-order thinking, underlining the necessity of focused professional development for improving instructional effectiveness and promoting critical thinking. Recommendations to strengthen technology's role in education and improve teachers' higher-order thinking skills include putting collaborative training approaches into practice, aligning school policies and resources to support technology-enhanced education, encouraging collaborative cultures, creating technology integration teams, and inviting community partners.

Information and Communication Technology, Competency, Higher-Order Thinking Skills

"Information and Communication Technology Competency and Teachers’ Higher-Order Thinking Skills ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 7, page no.h109-h113, July-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2407714.pdf

"Information and Communication Technology Competency and Teachers’ Higher-Order Thinking Skills ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 7, page no. pph109-h113, July-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2407714.pdf