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.