ASSESSING ICT COMPETENCE AND ITS IMPACT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG BACHELOR OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION STUDENTS

This research investigates the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills of Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) students at Benguet State University-Buguias Campus. The study aims to evaluate students' proficiency in ICT, identify challenges affecting their academic performance, and recommend enhancements to ICT training within the curriculum. ICT's integration into education is critical, as highlighted by the Philippine government’s efforts to promote technology use in schools through legislative acts like Republic Act No. 10844 and DepEd Order No. 36, Series of 2013 (DepEd, 2013). The study employs a quantitative methodology, using a questionnaire to assess BEEd students' knowledge of ICT hardware, software, and literacy. The research finds that students generally possess a high level of knowledge regarding basic ICT operations but face challenges such as insufficient funding for ICT devices, low network bandwidth, and inadequate information literacy training. These issues significantly impact their academic performance. To address these gaps, the study suggests curriculum improvements, including enhanced ICT training for effective technology integration into lesson planning and assessment. The findings underscore the necessity for continued development of ICT competencies to ensure future educators are well-equipped to utilize technology in their teaching practices. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of ICT integration in teacher education and highlights areas for potential improvement in educational technology training programs.