Science Teachers' Understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills

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International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences
Vol-6, Issue-5; Sep-Oct, 2021
Journal Home Page Available: https://ijels.com/
Journal DOI: 10.22161/ijels
Peer-Reviewed Journal
IJELS-2021, 6(5), (ISSN : 2456-7620)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.65.32 200
Science Teachers’ Understanding of Higher Order
Thinking Skills
Karma Cheda1, Karma Utha2
1Bartsham Central School, Trashigang Dzongkhag, Ministry of Education, Bhutan.
2Samtse College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan.
Received: 01 Sep 2021; Received in revised form: 04 Oct 2021; Accepted: 11 Oct 2021; Available online: 19 Oct 2021
©2021 The Author(s). Published by Infogain Publication. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Abstract— For students to become critical, creative, and engage in problem solving, teachers’ role is
critical. A teacher is required to implement higher order thinking skills activities in the class. The study
focused on science teachers’ understanding of higher order thinking skills (HOTS) in teaching and
learning science. A mixed methods approach was adopted for the study. Data collected from survey
questionnaires, classroom observation, interviews and documents analysis were analysed based on
descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. A total of 14 teachers participated in the study. The findings
showed that most of the science teachers have clear understanding of HOTS. Further, implementation of
HOTs requires activity-based teaching approach but approaches used were mostly lecture method with a
few group discussion and clarification of doubts in teaching science. Some of the challenges teachers face
in implementing HOTS were time constraint, language barrier and terminologies used in science textbooks
currently in use in schools. The study recommends teachers to use appropriate activity-based teaching
approach to implement HOTs activities. It is also recommended to carry out a study to find the correlation
between HOTS and academic performance of students.
Keywords— Higher order thinking skill, implementation, strategies, conceptual understanding.
I. INTRODUCITON
Benjamin Bloom’s six levels of thinking: remembering,
comprehending, applying, analysing, evaluating, and
creating is to make students aware of types of learning and
to evaluate whether meaningful learning is there or not
[1,2]. According to Mainali [3], the first three thinking are
of lower order convergent level and the remaining are of
higher order divergent level. The convergent level requires
basic recalling and understanding, while, divergent level
requires critical and creative thinking. The Higher Order
Thinking Skills (HOTS) is a concept based on Bloom's
higher thinking levels.
Science is one of the subjects offered from class IX
onwards in Bhutanese secondary schools. The current
science curriculum for class IX was revised and
implemented in 2016 and for class X in 2017. The revision
was mainly to improve the learning outcomes of students
by promoting higher thinking skills. The textbooks consist
of more hands-on activities that requires student centered
learning to be practiced. According to Rabgay [4], to
promote imaginative, critical and creative skills in
students, teachers need to focus more on student-centered
learning. Teachers need to practice their teaching based on
everyday life activities which develop critical thinking
skills. However, the teaching in Bhutan is still dominated
by teacher [5] and whether it helps to develop HOTs in
students is a concern. Further, the students are required to
carry out project work and homework that may require
accessing weblinks that are provided in the textbooks.
These weblinks are supposed to promotes HOTS. But how
far these weblinks are accessed is another concern as
students hardly have any access to internet facilities in
schools [6].
A study conducted by Bhutan Council for Secondary
Examination and Assessment [BCSEA] (2019) stated that

Karma Cheda et al. Science Teachers’ Understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills
IJELS-2021, 6(5), (ISSN : 2456-7620)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.65.32 201
schools should strengthen and enhance Competency Based
(CB) activities that require HOTS and assessment in the
curriculum. As such, the CB questions which promote
higher level thinking is introduced mostly in written
examination. According to Cheki [7], at the primary level,
5% CB questions was introduced in 2011 and at secondary
level 30% was introduced in 2017. At the secondary level,
it was introduced as part of Bhutan Council for Secondary
Examination (BCSE), which is a board examination for all
class X students. The percentage reflected is supposed to
increase gradually over years. According to Gurung [8],
the CB question is not simply on the ability to recall
information or use of formulae or procedures but requires
to focus on specific problems and situations that students
need to resolve and apply on what they have learned that
requires HOTS. The CB questions make use of HOTS. But
teachers have difficulty in setting CB questions and focus
on setting lower order thinking (LOT) questions
(researchers’ personal experience of working in school).
Hence, the purpose of the study is to find out Science
teachers conceptual understanding of HOTs and whether
they have the required skills to carryout HOTS activities in
teaching Science.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Understanding the conceptual meaning of HOTS by
teachers is very important as they are implementers in the
classroom. There are many definitions of HOTS given by
different authors. Thomas and Thorne [9] defined HOTS
as a level that is higher than remembering facts or telling
something back to someone precisely the way it had been
told by teachers. Similarly, HOTS is the thinking that is
taking place in the higher levels of the hierarchy of
cognitive processing [10]. Further, Heong et al. (2011)
defined HOTS as the expanded use of the mind to meet
challenges. Furthermore, HOTS is the ability to understand
and interpret objects, events, and phenomena as a whole by
using their own language construction [11], Nugroho &
Suryadarma, 2018.
Implementation of HOTS in teaching Science by teachers
play an important role for academic performances as well
in generating students’ creativity and critical thinking
skills. According to Retnawati et al. [12], teachers’
knowledge about HOTS and its teaching and learning
techniques are key to successful education. The findings of
Sinelnikov et al. [13] and Pratama and Retnawati [14]
showed that the growth in teachers’ content knowledge on
HOTS leads to a better understanding of teaching and
learning of the subject which ultimately improves students’
performance. The outcome from students’ HOTS
development can be achieved by the active role of teachers
in planning, implementing, and evaluating HOTS oriented
learning [12].
Similarly, Bhutan Professional Standards for Teachers [15]
indicated teachers’ mastery of content knowledge,
understanding the curriculum, and ability to make subject
matter meaningful to learners as one of the standards.
When teachers possess content knowledge, teachers would
know how to segregate HOTS activities from the Science
textbook and prepare learning activities on HOTS. A study
conducted by Eraikhuemen and Ogumogu [16] in Nigeria
on assessment of the conceptual understanding of force
and motion of secondary school Physics teachers in the
EDO South Senatorial District found that teachers have
low conceptual understanding of Physics concepts and that
teachers are likely to pass on what they know to their
pupils. This suggests that teachers need to understand the
concepts of HOTS in terms of content. The consequences
of not having a proper understanding and comprehension
of HOTS lead to an inability to master higher level thought
and an inability to design and execute appropriate
guidance during teaching and learning sessions [17].
In this 21st century, one critical aspect in improving
effective teaching and learning Science by students is to
examine the effectiveness of teachers in developing
students’ capability to think while ensuring class activities
[18]. It is shown that school are now invited to shift the
focus from syllabus to learning results. According to
Ngussa and Lyimo [19], the world is shifting from
knowledge based to effective learning methods that engage
learners to specific skills to execute tasks. In the
implementation of learning, HOTS cannot be directly
taught to students, instead students should be trained about
HOTS as a skill through learning activities that support its
development [12].
Teachers, as role models, have to apply diverse teaching
methods such as, relevant movies, interesting stories,
newspaper articles, scientific articles, hand-on
experiments, and individual or group assignments. When
teachers ask higher order questions and encourage
explanations such as, why; what; how; what if; how do
they compare; or what is the evidence, they are helping
their students to develop important critical thinking skills
[10,Adedoyin, 2010; [20]. It is revealed that the success or
failure of carrying out Science activities depend a great
deal on teachers since they are the main actors to put the
activities into practices [21].
To implement and teach higher order thinking skills
(HOTS) to students in the classroom setting for some
reasons is found to be difficult. According to Juhansar et
al. [22], firstly, higher order thinking skills require extra
works and efforts; second to implement them need much

Karma Cheda et al. Science Teachers’ Understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills
IJELS-2021, 6(5), (ISSN : 2456-7620)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.65.32 202
time; third, Physics teacher should have deeper practical
understanding, and fourth, to implement HOTS, teacher
need to employ a number of strategies and practices in
different contexts and situation. Zohar and Dori, [23]
support that teachers were confused as stimulating higher
order thinking is appropriate only for high achieving
students whereas low achieving students were unable to
deal with such tasks that require HOTS and such tasks
generated frustration in the students. Further, the study
conducted by Seman et al [17] on teachers’ challenges in
teaching and learning for higher order thinking skills
(HOTS) in primary school in Malaysia found that due to
heavy curriculum content and lack of time, teachers’ face
challenging to plan lesson that can achieve HOTS
objectives as well as content objective. On the issue of the
syllabus, teachers were required to complete it before the
final examination. This indicated that the teaching and
learning were still very much exam oriented as opposed to
applying HOTS in teaching and learning Science.
III. METHODS
The study employed a mixed methods approach to gain an
insight on teachers’ conceptual understanding and
practices of HOTS activities in teaching Science. The
quantitative data was collected through the use of survey
questionnaires from the Science teachers. To supplement
the survey data and get a deep understanding, qualitative
data was collected through semi-structure interview with
select Science teachers. Classroom observations was also
carried out. As part of document analysis, a study of class
IX Physics textbooks and mid-term questions papers were
carried out.
The research was conducted in one of the eastern
Dzongkhags in Bhutan. A total of four secondary schools
that has classes IX-XII were involved in the study. All the
science teachers were included in the survey.
A random sampling was used to select teachers for the
interview. A total of 14 teachers participated in the
interviews (Physics: 6, Chemistry- 4, Biology-4). 4
classroom observation was carried out in order to gain
deeper understanding on implementation of HOTS
activities in classroom teaching.
IV. RESULTS
The survey data was analysed using Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS 22). The features like Mean,
Standard deviation, and tables were used to interpret the
data. The study used descriptive analysis of quantitative
data. The mean and standard deviation were calculated
based on frequency of occurrences adapted from Joy and
Ventayen [24] as in Table1.
For the qualitative data, the interviews were recorded and
transcribed. In-depth study of the interview transcripts was
undertaken. In addition, document analysis on the
activities of class IX Physics textbook, analysis of mid-
term questions papers from one of the schools was
undertaken. Also, classroom observation notes were
studied in depth to understand the practice of HOTS by the
teachers. To maintain participants’ anonymity, T1, T2… is
used to refer to each of the teacher-interviewees.
The study of the survey data, interviews and document
analysis resulted in the following themes:
Teachers understanding on HOTS
Implementation of HOTS in classroom teaching
Strategies implemented by teachers in teaching HOTS
Challenges faced by teachers in implementing HOTS
activities
Each of the theme is discussed in the following sections.
4.1 Teachers Conceptual Understand on HOTS
Table 2 showed the overall average mean of M = 3.90 with
standard deviation SD = 0.66 indicating teachers’ high
agreement on the conceptual understanding on HOTS
activities. Among the statements, HOTS activities are
given in new science textbook was rated the highest (M=
4.27; SD = 0.46) showing that the textbooks had included
HOTS activities. Further, Questions provided in the
textbook have given hints for students to answer (M=3.60;
SD = 0.87) meaning that clues were given to support
students in answering the questions. Also, the examples
given in the textbooks were found to be relevant (M= 4.10;
SD = 0.68).
The interview with teachers also showed that teachers
understood the HOTS activities. According to a teacher,
the activities helped students to enhance their creating,
application, analyzing and evaluating skills (T5). Another
teacher T2 said that
HOTS activities are the task that demand the students
to deploy stringent thinking process. ... HOTS in terms
of Science means that students are able to understand
the content and give logical reasoning and think about
new things and reasons.
Table 1. Interpretation of the scale values

Karma Cheda et al. Science Teachers’ Understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills
IJELS-2021, 6(5), (ISSN : 2456-7620)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.65.32 203
Scale
Range
Frequency of occurrence
Level of Severity
5
4.21-5.00
Strongly agree
Always
Highest
4
3.41-4.20
Agree
Very often
High
3
2.61-3.40
Neutral
Neutral
Moderate
2
1.81-2.60
Disagree
Often
Low
1
1.00-1.80
Strongly disagree
Never
Lowest
Table 2. Conceptual Understanding on HOTS activities from Science textbook
Sl no.
Statements
M
SD
Level of severity
1
HOTS activities are given in new Science textbook
4.27
0.46
Highest
2
The examples given in the textbook are all relevant to students’
level
4.10
0.68
High
3
New textbook has clear information without ambiguity
3.63
0.63
High
4
Questions provided in the textbook have given hints for students
to answer
3.60
0.87
High
Total
3.90
0.66
High
Furthermore, T13 stated “It is learning which involved the
critical thinking, evaluation and creation of new things
after the learning the concept from class. It’s much
different from rote learning”. Similar views were
expressed by T7 and T12.
However, a teacher seemed to have difficulty in
understanding what HOTS mean. According to the teacher,
“I don’t know what HOTS is. Hearing for first time. It is
not there in syllabus nor in teachers’ guidelines or code of
conduct” (T1). Another teacher T6 also seemed to have
some misunderstanding on what HOTS means. According
to T6, HOTS mean teaching from toughest to easiest.
4.2 Implementation of HOTS in Classroom Teaching
The Table 3 showed an overall average mean of M = 3.96
with SD = 1.26 showing that the teachers had high
agreement on the implementation of HOTS in classroom
teaching. Among the statements, I prefer HOTS activities
teaching methods than traditional methods on teaching
was rated the highest with M=4.21 and SD=0.61 showing
teachers preference of HOTS activities. The teachers
agreed that they explored for resources to support them in
preparing HOTS questions (M=4.00; SD=1.20). They also
spent time in thoroughly checking the students answers to
questions on HOTS (M=3.88; SD=2.67).
During the interviews, teachers said that they used varied
teaching approaches that are activity based (T1, T4, T11)
to implement HOTS. According to a teacher,
In teaching science, I used lower order thinking skills
(LOTS) first to develop the concepts of any type of
topics. After concept is completely disseminated, then
I use HOTS to make them aware and clear about the
concept (T12).
Similarly, T13 stated,
After teaching the HOTS concepts, I allow them to
relate that concept to their daily life. I used some
techniques such as DARTS, Quiz, Video tutorial to
make the understand more. In terms of LOTS, I allow
them to read by themselves and share to their friends.
A teacher T7 also shared that they implemented HOTS
through independent learning and research (T7). Though
teachers agreed on using different strategies in the class,
the class observation found that most of the teachers
lecture what was in the textbook. It was also found that
most of the teachers used LOTS questions where students
already have pre-knowledge. There was hardly any use of
HOTS questions. Teachers hardly demonstrate the
concepts other than pure explanations using board.
4.3 Strategies Implemented by Teachers in Teaching
HOTS
Strategies Implemented according to Teacher in Teaching
HOTS is as shown in Table 4.
Table 3. HOTS activities implemented in classroom teaching

Karma Cheda et al. Science Teachers’ Understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills
IJELS-2021, 6(5), (ISSN : 2456-7620)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.65.32 204
Sl.
no.
Statements
M
SD
Level of
severity
1
I always ask HOTS questions in the class to see students’ understanding
3.73
0.75
High
2
I explore the internet and other resources on how to prepare HOTS
questions for the students
4.00
1.20
High
3
I thoroughly check students’ assigned work on how HOTS questions were
answered
3.88
2.67
High
4
I prefer HOTS activities teaching methods than traditional methods on
teaching
4.21
0.61
Highest
5
I inform the students on the HOTS questions as they will be expected to
get similar questions in their examination
3.98
1.06
High
Total
3.96
1.26
High
Table 4. Strategies implemented in teaching physics
Sl. No
Statements
M
SD
Level of severity
1
I provide more HOTS questions in the class to
be solved by students in groups
3.98
0.53
High
2
I provide more HOTS questions in the class to
be solved by students individually
3.98
0.38
High
3
I thoroughly check students’ understanding
on HOTS activities’ after providing a task/
activity
4.10
0.63
High
4
I discuss HOTS questions with students when
they have difficulty in solving
4.25
0.58
Highest
5
I encourage students to carry out group
presentations on an assigned task
4.15
0.53
High
Total
4.09
0.53
High
The Table 4 showed the overall average mean of M= 4.09
with standard deviation SD=0.53 indicating the teachers
use of varied strategies in teaching HOTS. The
statements, I discuss HOTS questions with students when
they have difficulty in solving questions was rated the
highest with M=4.25 and SD=0.58 showing that
discussion was a predominant practice when students faced
difficulty in solving problems. The Table 4 also showed
that students were provided opportunity to work in group
as well as individually to work on HOTS questions. The
practice of group work was evident in the interview data
also. For example, T7 stated, “I assign peer helpers and
provide support to those struggling”. However, in the class
observation, although students were asked to work on a
problem in groups, all the answers to the problem were
provided by the teachers.
The students understanding of the task was given a priority
(M=4.10 and SD=0.61). The interview data was in line
with the survey data. There were cases of teachers either
explaining the questions repeatedly till students were clear
about it (T9) or explaining with use of examples (T10).
Beside other methods were used by teachers to help
students understand the task. For instance, a teacher T13
stated, “I used different teaching methods like DARTS,
Quiz, discussion, video tutorial to help students understand
more efficiently”.
Though teachers agreed on using different strategies in the
class, the class observation found that most of the teachers
lecture what was in the textbook. Teachers hardly
demonstrate the concepts. They just using chalk and board.
4.4 Strategies to Overcome Challenges in
Implementing HOTS Activities
The analysis of teacher’s interview revealed that
implementing HOTS in classroom teaching has many

Karma Cheda et al. Science Teachers’ Understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills
IJELS-2021, 6(5), (ISSN : 2456-7620)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.65.32 205
challenges. Some of the challenges faced are: Providing
enough time for students; Lack of multiple representations
of the concept; difficult to frame the questions; and
language competency (T6, T1, T8). Students were also
found to get bored and confused while discussing HOTS
concepts (T12). Some of the strategies teachers use to
overcome the challenges is as reflected in Table 5.
The average mean rating of M =3.92 and SD=0.55
indicated teachers’ high agreement to use of different
strategies to overcome any challenges in implementing
HOTS activities. The statements, I use teaching learning
materials to enhance HOTS and I use ICT to enhance
HOTS showed the highest mean of (M=4.48; SD=0.67)
and (M=4.31; SD=0.57) respectively. This indicated a high
use of ICT and teaching learning materials to support
HOTS activities in the classroom teaching. The Table 5
also revealed that teachers were very good in using ICT to
support their teaching.
Table 5. Strategies in overcoming challenges in implementing HOTS
Sl. no
Statements
M
SD
Level of severity
1
I use teaching learning materials to
enhance HOTS
4.48
0.67
Highest
2
I use ICT to enhance HOTS
4.31
0.57
Highest
3
Collection of HOTS resources is easy for
me
3.10
0.91
Moderate
4
I ask HOTS questions frequently
3.85
0.38
High
5
I am very good in using ICT
3.88
0.23
High
Total
3.92
0.55
High
V. DISCUSSION
The findings in the result section are discussed in line with
the present study’s research questions and literatures. The
discussion used the same themes as reflected in result
section.
5.1 Teachers’ Understanding on HOTS
Teachers’ conceptual understanding of HOTS helps in
teaching the concept clearly to the students. Students learn
best when an example of solving a question is
demonstrated to them rather than explicit explanation.
From this study, it was found out that Science teachers had
good conceptual understanding of HOTS. This helped
them in designing HOTS activities. The study also showed
that HOTS activities were included in Science textbook
and were relevant to students learning. Further, clues were
included in the textbook to help students to answer the
HOTS questions. According to students, teachers had good
knowledge of HOTS and were able to deliver HOTS
activities in the class. The studies conducted by
Sinelnikow et al. (2015) and Pratama and Retnawati [14]
showed that the growth in teachers’ content knowledge
resulted in better understanding and learning of the subject
which ultimately improve students’ performance.
Therefore, teachers’ with good knowledge of HOTS in
Science content could design appropriate HOTS activities
to provide more learning activities and thinking skills to
the students.
It was also found that the teachers could define and explain
the HOTS in their own ways. Teachers involved in this
study defined HOTS as logical reasoning, applying learned
concepts, and to enhance students’ creativity, innovation,
and analyzing skills. The definition used by teachers was
in line with Ramos et al. [10]’s definition wherein they
defined HOTS as skills like creative thinking, critical
thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and visualization.
However, it was found that the teachers do not have a
complete understanding of the concept of HOTS based on
21st century skills. According to Scott [25], in 21st century
skill, HOTS demand learners to possess innovation skills,
life and career skills, and information, media, and
technology skills. Teachers involved in this study seemed
to be not aware of the skills relating to communication and
collaboration as no mention of these were made when
asked about their understanding of HOTS.
Further, teachers’ misconceptions on HOTS hamper the
better understanding of the concept. There were teachers
who seemed to be not clear about HOTS. For example, a
teacher said that teaching from toughest to easiest was the
main concept of HOTS (T6). According to Seman, et al.
[17] and Retnawati et al. [12], the lack of proper
understanding and comprehension of HOTS lead to an
inability to master the skills of HOTS and an inability to

Karma Cheda et al. Science Teachers’ Understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills
IJELS-2021, 6(5), (ISSN : 2456-7620)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.65.32 206
design and execute appropriate guidance during teaching
and learning sessions.
5.2 Implementation of HOTS in Teaching Science
The implementation of HOTS in teaching Science is one
contributing factor to improve HOTS. The quantitative
data analysis from teachers rating found a high average
mean. Likewise, the teachers’ preference on HOTS
activities based teaching methods in the classroom was
highest with the mean score of 4.21. To implements
HOTS, teachers consistently ask thought provoking HOTS
questions, and explore internets and other resources to
develop HOTS activities in their lesson. Miri et al. [26]
supported that to promote HOTS, teachers need to
purposely and persistently deal with real-world problems,
encouraging open-ended class discussion, and fostering
inquiry-oriented experiment results in a good chance of
developing critical thinking capabilities in the class.
Similarly, the qualitative data analysis exhibited that
teachers implemented HOTS during the delivery of the
lesson. This finding aligns with the finding of Mainali [3]
who emphasized the need to implement HOTS in
classroom teaching and learning process as it is more
authentic and relevant to the real world. Furthermore,
Afifah and Retnawati [27] stated that when teachers teach
by showing learning materials that contain HOTS, it
connects the concepts with new concepts and improves
students thinking skills. Their findings complement this
study’s finding whereby teachers stressed the important of
using internet and exploring other resources to implements
HOTS in teaching Science as such approaches of a
teachers enhances students learning.
The use of ICT and other resources to prepare HOTS
questions supported teachers to implements HOTS in
classroom teaching. This was in line with the finding of
Ganapathy et al. [28].
5.3 Strategies Implemented by Teachers in Teaching
HOTS
The methods of teaching HOTS play a vital role for the
students to improve learning HOTS questions in Science.
The teachers in this study gave HOTS questions to
students to solve individually, as well as through group
discussion. Further, they check the clarity of HOTS
activities after providing task and also encourage students
to do group presentation. Teachers were also found
incorporating HOTS in all the lessons to make students to
think deeper. This result corroborated with the findings of
Saido et al. [29]. Their study on strategies used by
secondary science teachers in teaching science in 7th grade
in Malaysia, found that applying knowledge such as
problem-solving and hands-on activity improves student’s
higher cognitive skills.
Though teachers in this study agreed to the use of varied
strategies in class, the classroom observation revealed
lecture method being a predominant practice. The study by
Prayitno et al.[30] in Indonesia found that students who
were taught HOTS with lecture method as a treatment had
the lowest score in HOTS than students who were being
treated with other learning strategies. Therefore, teachers’
need to use varieties of teaching methods while
implementing HOTS activities other than lecture method.
5.4 Strategies to Overcome Challenges in
Implementing HOTS Activities
There were numerous challenges faced by teachers
teaching HOTS. Some of the challenges were time
constraint and multiple representation. The finding of this
study is in line with the study conducted by Seman et al.
[17] in Malaysia. They found that time constraint was the
factor that affects the implementation of HOTS in the
classroom. Though preparing the HOTS in Physics
requires lots of time and multiple representations, Afifah
and Retnawati [27] asserted that they have to manage time
proportionally and thoroughly to measure students’ HOTS
in implementing in the classroom.
Language was another challenge faced by the students.
The language and terminology given in the textbook were
difficult for the students to comprehend and answer the
HOTS questions. According to Nagappan [31], to improve
the language of students, teachers need to exploit and
encompass all the activities in the four language
components, i.e., listening, speaking, reading, and writing
will promote thinking skills among the students. Similarly,
teachers also need to know how to ask questions while
teaching because good questioning techniques are useful to
attract students’ attention when they are less interested or
bored in class [27].
VI. CONCLUSION
The study concluded that most teachers have clear
conceptual understanding HOTS. However, few teachers
still have misconception on it. Most of the teachers' related
HOTs to one of the 21st-century skills.
The HOTS requires hands-on activities and needs to shift
from lecture method teaching to activity-based. Out of the
many activity-based teaching methods, the study results
showed that teachers implemented mostly group
discussion and clarifying of doubts on HOTS questions.
Other relevant strategies like problem-solving, doing

Karma Cheda et al. Science Teachers’ Understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills
IJELS-2021, 6(5), (ISSN : 2456-7620)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.65.32 207
activities, hand-on experiences, encouraging open-ended
class discussion, and fostering inquiry-orientated
experiments to help students to learn more on HOTS
activities in the classroom were rarely used. Besides, time
constrain, language barrier and terminologies used in the
science textbook were some of the challenging teachers
faced in implementing HOTS activities.
VII. RECOMMENDATION
This study provides significant insight into the Science
teachers’ understanding of Higher Order Thinking Skills.
However, there were challenges and difficulties in
implementing HOTS activities in the schools. The study
recommends teachers to use appropriate activity-based
teaching approach to implement HOTs activities. The
Teacher Professional Support Division and school
management are suggested to organize professional
development for teachers on HOTS activities. Further, the
study recommends to carry out a study to find the
correlation between HOTS and academic performance of
students.
COMPETING INTERESTS
Authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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