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Determinants of 21st-Century Skills and 21st-Century Digital Skills for Workers: A Systematic Literature Review

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  • Ester van Laar
  • Alexander J. A. M. van Deursen
  • Jan A. G. M. van Dijk
  • Jos de Haan

Abstract

This study brings attention to the determinants of 21st-century skills and 21st-century digital skills. The following skills are investigated: technical, information, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. To understand differences in the level of these skills among workers, we need to know the factors that determine an individual’s skill level. A systematic literature review was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of empirical studies measuring skill determinants. The results show that there is strong need for research on determinants of communication and collaboration skills. In a digital context, determinants for creativity and critical thinking are hardly studied. Furthermore, the identified determinants of 21st-century skills studies are limited to personality and psychological determinants, neglecting, for example, social determinants such as social support. Although digital skills studies show more variety, they mostly cover demographic and socioeconomic determinants.

Suggested Citation

  • Ester van Laar & Alexander J. A. M. van Deursen & Jan A. G. M. van Dijk & Jos de Haan, 2020. "Determinants of 21st-Century Skills and 21st-Century Digital Skills for Workers: A Systematic Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(1), pages 21582440199, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:10:y:2020:i:1:p:2158244019900176
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244019900176
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David H. Autor & Frank Levy & Richard J. Murnane, 2003. "The skill content of recent technological change: an empirical exploration," Proceedings, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, issue Nov.
    2. Katerina Ananiadou & Magdalean Claro, 2009. "21st Century Skills and Competences for New Millennium Learners in OECD Countries," OECD Education Working Papers 41, OECD Publishing.
    3. Sanna Talja, 2005. "The social and discursive construction of computing skills," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 56(1), pages 13-22, January.
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