Abstract
The focus of this study was to strengthen the ICT integration of teachers at Marbel 1 Central Elementary School (M1CES) by enhancing infrastructure development and professional development for teaching staff. It aimed to describe the challenges of teachers in the integration of ICT into their teaching, and then after identifying those challenges, the study aimed to propose information and communication technology (ICT) plans, which are the infrastructure development and professional development for teaching staff. The participants of the study were the seventy (70) teachers at M1CES. They were chosen as the permanent teachers at the said school who are implementing the ICT integration into the teaching and learning process. This study used an action research design because it is designed to address specific issues within a particular context—in this case, improving ICT infrastructure and professional development at Marbel 1 Central Elementary School (M1CES). An online survey was utilized in the gathering of data needed for the study. It aimed to assess the teachers’ preparedness in using information and communication technology (ICT) in the field of teaching. The findings are categorized into four areas, such as ICT skills, ICT pedagogical skills, access and utilization, and professional development. There was also an open-ended question where the participants provided their challenges and areas for improvement on the use of ICT. The proposed ICT plans are a) infrastructure development by means of installing internet connections in the different grade level areas of the school to strengthen the use of ICT in the teaching practices of the teachers, and b) professional development by means of conducting school-based training on the use and utilization of different apps, online quizzes, and different teaching strategies that are ICT-based. The study is of big help for school principals and teachers who are struggling with no internet connection in their school. The ICT plans that this study proposed served as a guide and basis for the school to install an internet connection and to conduct school-based training on the use and utilization of ICT in teaching. They may adapt the ICT plans that this study has proposed.
