Employability skills: Role of digital tools in higher education

Abstract

In the digital age, digital technologies are becoming increasingly popular in higher education (HE). Digitization in HIM is invested with the aspiration of improved learning and can efficiently develop students’ employability skills. These skills are also known as working skills, which can be gained by participants during the HE programs, such as communication skills, collaboration skills, digital literacy skills, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills, skills that are required in today’s employment situation. The emergence of digital tools, such as learning management systems, virtual learning environments, and online learning sources, provides diversified possibilities for students to gain these skills through flexible and interactive learning activities. This literature review summarizes the findings of present studies about the effect of digitalization on students’ employability skills. It is indicated that the use of digital technologies fosters students’ engagement, enhances collaboration, and contributes to skills development. Meanwhile, research on barriers is also conducted, which is revealed as the digital divide, the gap of digital literacy, and the support of institutions. And there are also references to the relationship between digitalization and skills development in higher education.