Block 3.5C 21st Century Education
Mandatory Readings
Niek Kooren
,Niek Kooren 559855nk
Project 1: 21st century skills
What are 21st century skills?
The relation between 21st-century skills and digital skills: A systematic literature review -Laar,
2017
Abstract: Innovation starts with people, making the human capital within the workforce
decisive. In a fast-changing knowledge economy, 21st-century digital skills drive
organizations' competitiveness and innovation capacity. Although such skills are seen as
crucial, the digital aspect integrated with 21st-century skills is not yet sufficiently defined. The
main objectives of this study were to (1) examine the relation between 21st-century skills and
digital skills; and (2) provide a framework of 21st-century digital skills with conceptual
dimensions and key operational components aimed at the knowledge worker. A systematic
literature review was conducted to synthesize the relevant academic literature concerned with
21st-century digital skills. In total, 1592 different articles were screened from which 75 articles
met the predefined inclusion criteria. The results show that 21st-century skills are broader than
digital skills e the list of mentioned skills is far more extensive. In addition, in contrast to digital
skills, 21st-century skills are not necessarily underpinned by ICT. Furthermore, we identified
seven core skills: technical, information management, communication, collaboration,
creativity, critical thinking and problem solving. Five contextual skills were also identified:
ethical awareness, cultural awareness, flexibility, self-direction and lifelong learning
Concepts: In general, 21st-century skills include collaboration, communication, digital
literacy, citizenship, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and productivity. These
skills are labelled 21st-century skills to indicate that they are more related to the current
economic and social developments than with those of the past century.
We consider 21st-century digital skills as:
(1) The mastery of ICT applications to solve cognitive tasks at work.
(2) Skills that are not technology-driven.
(3) Skills that support higher order thinking processes.
(4) Skills related to cognitive processes favouring employees' continuous learning.
Aim: A systematic literature review is conducted to synthesize the relevant academic literature
concerned with 21st-century digital skills.
Subjects: After title and abstract screening, 255 were read in full text from which 75 articles
met all four inclusion criteria.
Design: We look systematically at articles that categorize 21st-century digital skills. The search
action was conducted using the Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases. The search
action included 21st-century digital skills related terms in agreement with terms for the
operationalization.
Discussion: The theoretical framework identified various concepts: 21st-century (learning or
thinking) skills, digital competence, digital literacy, digital skills, and e-skills. Concepts are
moving into the direction where they consider knowledge- or content-related skills.
, Niek Kooren 559855nk
This research resulted in a framework of seven core skills:
• Technical, The skills to use (mobile) devices and applications to accomplish practical
tasks.
• Information management, The skills to use ICT to efficiently search including skills
to define, access, evaluate, and manage ICT.
• Communication, The skills to use ICT to transmit information to others.
• Collaboration, The skills to use ICT to develop a social network and work in a team.
• Creativity, The skills to use ICT to generate new or previously unknown ideas.
• Critical thinking, The skills to use ICT to make informed judgements and choices
about obtained information and communication using reflective reasoning and
sufficient evidence to support the claims.
• Problem solving, The skills to use ICT to cognitively process and understand a
problem situation in combination with the active use of knowledge to find a solution to
a problem.
And five contextual skills:
• Ethical awareness, The skills to behave in a socially responsible way, demonstrating
awareness and knowledge of legal and ethical aspects when using ICT.
• Cultural awareness, The skills to show cultural understanding and respect other
cultures when using ICT.
• Flexibility, The skills to adapt one's thinking, attitude or behaviour to changing ICT
environments.
• Self-direction, The skills to set goals for yourself and manage progression toward
reaching those goals to assess your own progress when using ICT.
• lifelong learning, The skills to constantly explore new opportunities when using to
continually improve one's capabilities.
Mandatory Readings
Niek Kooren
,Niek Kooren 559855nk
Project 1: 21st century skills
What are 21st century skills?
The relation between 21st-century skills and digital skills: A systematic literature review -Laar,
2017
Abstract: Innovation starts with people, making the human capital within the workforce
decisive. In a fast-changing knowledge economy, 21st-century digital skills drive
organizations' competitiveness and innovation capacity. Although such skills are seen as
crucial, the digital aspect integrated with 21st-century skills is not yet sufficiently defined. The
main objectives of this study were to (1) examine the relation between 21st-century skills and
digital skills; and (2) provide a framework of 21st-century digital skills with conceptual
dimensions and key operational components aimed at the knowledge worker. A systematic
literature review was conducted to synthesize the relevant academic literature concerned with
21st-century digital skills. In total, 1592 different articles were screened from which 75 articles
met the predefined inclusion criteria. The results show that 21st-century skills are broader than
digital skills e the list of mentioned skills is far more extensive. In addition, in contrast to digital
skills, 21st-century skills are not necessarily underpinned by ICT. Furthermore, we identified
seven core skills: technical, information management, communication, collaboration,
creativity, critical thinking and problem solving. Five contextual skills were also identified:
ethical awareness, cultural awareness, flexibility, self-direction and lifelong learning
Concepts: In general, 21st-century skills include collaboration, communication, digital
literacy, citizenship, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and productivity. These
skills are labelled 21st-century skills to indicate that they are more related to the current
economic and social developments than with those of the past century.
We consider 21st-century digital skills as:
(1) The mastery of ICT applications to solve cognitive tasks at work.
(2) Skills that are not technology-driven.
(3) Skills that support higher order thinking processes.
(4) Skills related to cognitive processes favouring employees' continuous learning.
Aim: A systematic literature review is conducted to synthesize the relevant academic literature
concerned with 21st-century digital skills.
Subjects: After title and abstract screening, 255 were read in full text from which 75 articles
met all four inclusion criteria.
Design: We look systematically at articles that categorize 21st-century digital skills. The search
action was conducted using the Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases. The search
action included 21st-century digital skills related terms in agreement with terms for the
operationalization.
Discussion: The theoretical framework identified various concepts: 21st-century (learning or
thinking) skills, digital competence, digital literacy, digital skills, and e-skills. Concepts are
moving into the direction where they consider knowledge- or content-related skills.
, Niek Kooren 559855nk
This research resulted in a framework of seven core skills:
• Technical, The skills to use (mobile) devices and applications to accomplish practical
tasks.
• Information management, The skills to use ICT to efficiently search including skills
to define, access, evaluate, and manage ICT.
• Communication, The skills to use ICT to transmit information to others.
• Collaboration, The skills to use ICT to develop a social network and work in a team.
• Creativity, The skills to use ICT to generate new or previously unknown ideas.
• Critical thinking, The skills to use ICT to make informed judgements and choices
about obtained information and communication using reflective reasoning and
sufficient evidence to support the claims.
• Problem solving, The skills to use ICT to cognitively process and understand a
problem situation in combination with the active use of knowledge to find a solution to
a problem.
And five contextual skills:
• Ethical awareness, The skills to behave in a socially responsible way, demonstrating
awareness and knowledge of legal and ethical aspects when using ICT.
• Cultural awareness, The skills to show cultural understanding and respect other
cultures when using ICT.
• Flexibility, The skills to adapt one's thinking, attitude or behaviour to changing ICT
environments.
• Self-direction, The skills to set goals for yourself and manage progression toward
reaching those goals to assess your own progress when using ICT.
• lifelong learning, The skills to constantly explore new opportunities when using to
continually improve one's capabilities.
