21st Century Skills of Information and Document Management Students: Cross-Sectional Survey Research

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the 21st century skills level of undergraduate students studying in Library and Information Science (LIS) departments. A cross-sectional survey design from non-experimental research approach was preferred to examine the change in the students’ 21st century skill levels. The sample of the study consisted of 683 students studying in the LIS departments of 9 universities with active students in different geographical locations of Turkey. As data collection tools, 3 different measurement tools were used to measure 21st century skills determined within the scope of the study, and the data were collected in the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. One-Way MANOVA statistical analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data. As a result, students’ levels of digital literacy, collaboration, and algorithmic thinking skills were found to increase as the year of study level increased. When examined according to age levels, only collaboration and algorithmic thinking skills differed between the groups. When a comparison was made according to universities, it was determined that the level of effective listening skills, which is an element of algorithmic thinking, collaboration, and effective communication skills, differed significantly. The highest level of digital literacy skills was determined in the students studying at Hacettepe University. The findings related to universities’ getting their students to gain 21st century skills were discussed in detail in the study, and recommendations were presented in accordance with the findings. The results of the present study is hoped to guide LIS teaching staff to design a curriculum which enables their students enhance the 21st century skills.