Comparative analysis of digital literacy and 21st-century skills among university graduates in Malaysia and Indonesia: The role of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss1pp166-191Abstract
Background and Purpose: Digital literacy and 21st-century skills are increasingly needed to navigate today's globalized society. Recent study emphasises the necessity of these abilities for youngsters to actively participate in digital societies, civic and political affairs, and digital identity exploration. This study aims to compare the digital literacy and 21st-century skills of university graduates in Malaysia and Indonesia, and to examine how these skills shape digital literacy in both countries.
Methodology: 113 Malaysian and 271 Indonesian graduates participated in the online survey. The questionnaire was developed to measure the four determinants of digital literacy: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity & Innovation. The core analysis assessed levels of each determinant using mean scores from survey responses. One-sample T-test and ANOVA test determined the significance of each determinant with relation to digital literacy. This methodology combined quantitative survey data with statistical analysis to gain insights into the digital literacy competencies of university students in both countries.
Findings: Findings indicate both countries' graduates possess strong digital competencies, with variations in skill proficiency and technology use reflecting socio-economic and educational factors. Collaboration skills notably exceed digital literacy expectations, highlighting cultural or educational emphases on teamwork. The study suggests enhancing digital infrastructure and educational programs to address identified gaps, advocating for tailored approaches to improve digital literacy and skill development.
Contributions: This research contributes to understanding digital literacy in the digital age, emphasizing the necessity of 21st-century skills for academic and professional success.
Keywords: Digital literacy and 21st-century skills, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, creativity.
References
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Haviz, M., & Maris, I. (2020). Measuring Mathematics and Science teachers’ perception on thinking and acting in 21st-century learning. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, 8(4), 1319-1328.
Hidayat, M. L., Astuti, D. S., Hariyatmi, H., Prayitno, H. J., & Anif, S. (2022). Pelatihan kecakapan kolaborasi digital bagi guru-guru IPA sekolah menengah di Jawa Tengah. Warta LPM, 25(2), 263–274.
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Khan, N., Sarwar, A., Chen, T. B., & Khan, S. (2022). Connecting digital literacy in higher education to the 21st century workforce. Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International Journal, 14(1), 46-61.
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Mohamed, S., Wok, S., Ghazali, W. N. W., & Nasir, N. S. M. (2022). Factors influencing digital problem-solving skills among B40 children living at the Pusat Perumahan Rakyat (PPR). e-Bangi Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 19(1), 31-46.
More, R. (2021). Digital information literacy among undergraduate students in Dodamarg. International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 8(3), 973-977.
Parianom, R., Arrafi, I. J., & Desmintari, D. (2022). The impact of digital technology literacy and lifeskills on poverty reduction. Devotion Journal of Community Service, 3(12), 2002-2007.
Purnama, S., Ulfah, M., Ramadani, L., Rahmatullah, B., & Ahmad, I. F. (2022). Digital storytelling trends in early childhood education in Indonesia: A systematic literature review. Jurnal Pendidikan Usia Dini, 16(1), 17-31.
Putra, P., Windah, A., & Tarisa, A. (2022). Adopsi dan implementasi kecakapan literasi informasi dan literasi digital untuk akselerasi UMKM di Indonesia pasca pandemi COVID-19. Fihris: Jurnal Ilmu Perpustakaan Dan Informasi, 16(2), 177-199.
Rahman, M. J. A., Sinau, M. T., & Ensimau, N. K. (2020a). The level of readiness among rural school teacher in improving the language skills of preschool children by using the multimedia. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(11A), 71-77.
Rahman, M. J. A., Ali, M. M., & Sinau, M. T. (2020b). 21st century learning in rural preschools: Development of early literacy. Global Conferences Series: Social Sciences, Education and Humanities, 4(1), 415-423.
Reddy, P., Sharma, B., & Chaudhary, K. (2020). Digital literacy: A review of literature. International Journal of Technoethics, 11(2), 65-94.
Rizaldi, D. R., Nurhayati, E., & Fatimah, Z. (2020). The correlation of digital literation and STEM integration to improve Indonesian students’ skills in 21st Century. International Journal of Asian Education, 1(2), 73-80.
Saenab, S., Saleh, A. R., & Adnan, A. (2022). How Literate are prospective science teachers in this digital era? Profile of digital literacy skills of preservice science teachers in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. SAR Journal - Science and Research, 5(4), 194-199.
Shuhidan, S. M., Yahaya, W. A. W., Hashim, H., & Baharudin, M. F. (2022). Influence of digital literacy on learning engagement among secondary students in Malaysia. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 7(SI10), 135–139.
Silber-Varod, V., Eshet-Alkalai, Y., & Geri, N. (2019). Tracing research trends of 21st-century learning skills. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(6), 3099-3118.
Suherman, A., Supriyadi, T., & Safari, I. (2020). Promoting digital literacy skills: An action research to people of Kampung Literasi. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(4), 1372-1386.
Supartoyo, Y. H. (2022). Literasi digital mendukung daya saing dan transformasi digital menuju era society 5.0. Jurnal Abdimas Adpi Sosial dan Humaniora, 3(3), 387-391.
Tejedor, S., Cervi, L., Perez-Escoda, A., & Jumbo, F. T. (2020). Digital literacy and higher education during COVID-19 lockdown: Spain, Italy, and Ecuador. Publications, 8(4), 48.
Tohara, A. J. T., Shuhidan, S. M., Bahry, F. D. S., & Nordin, M. N. (2021). Exploring digital literacy strategies for students with special educational needs in the digital age. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 12(9), 3345–3358.
Utomo, D. W., Barathayomi, W., Pujiastuti, H., & Haryadi, R. (2021). The influence of web-centric course in learning basic Mathematics toward the digital literacy skills of preservice Mathematics teachers. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1796(1), 012015.
Wahjusaputri, S., & Nastiti, T. I. (2022). Digital literacy competency indicator for Indonesian high vocational education needs. Journal of Education and Learning, 16(1), 85-91.
Waliyuddin, D. S., & Sulisworo, D. (2022). High order thinking skills and digital literacy skills instrument test. Ideguru: Jurnal Karya Ilmiah Guru, 7(1), 47-52.
Wijaya, A. (2020). The role of mathematics teacher in the digital era. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1581(1), 012069.
Yoo, H. (2022). Building 21st century skills through technology in general music classes. Journal of General Music Education, 36(1), 21-31.
Yulhendri, Y., Sofya, R., & Ritonga, M. (2021). Analysis and development of learning plans using project based learning model in fostering 4 Cs skills of economics education students. Proceedings of the Sixth Padang International Conference on Economics Education, Economics, Business and Management, Accounting and Entrepreneurship (pp. 294-301). Atlantis Press.
Berlian, M., Vebrianto, R., & Syafaren, A. (2021). Strengthening the twenty-first century skills of university students in facing ASEAN economic community. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 13(3), 1633-1642.
Bujang, S. D. A., Selamat, A., Krejcar, O., Marešová, P., & Nguyen, N. (2020). Digital learning demand for future Education 4.0 - Case studies at Malaysia education institutions. Informatics, 7(2), 1-11.
Churchill, N. (2020). Development of students’ digital literacy skills through digital storytelling with mobile devices. Educational Media International, 57(3), 271-284.
Cortesi, S., Hasse, A., Lombana-Bermudez, A., Kim, S., & Gasser, U. (2020). Youth and digital citizenship+ (Plus): Understanding skills for a digital world. Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.
Endrayanto, N., Maharsi, E., Sahiruddin, S., Fajar, Y., Fatimah, F., & Purwaningtyas, I. (2022). Fitting facts to theory in digital literacy implementation: Critical reflections on literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Language, Literature, Education and Culture, ICOLLEC 2021, 9-10 October 2021, Malang, Indonesia. EAI.
George-Reyes, C. E., Estrada, F. J. R., & Glasserman-Morales, L. D. (2021). Interweaving digital literacy with computational thinking. Ninth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality (TEEM'21), 13-17.
Haviz, M., & Maris, I. (2020). Measuring Mathematics and Science teachers’ perception on thinking and acting in 21st-century learning. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, 8(4), 1319-1328.
Hidayat, M. L., Astuti, D. S., Hariyatmi, H., Prayitno, H. J., & Anif, S. (2022). Pelatihan kecakapan kolaborasi digital bagi guru-guru IPA sekolah menengah di Jawa Tengah. Warta LPM, 25(2), 263–274.
Intaratat, K. (2022). Digital literacy & digital skills scenario of ASEAN marginal workers under & post Covid-19 pandemic. Open Journal of Business and Management, 10(1), 118-133.
Kahar, M. I., Cika, H., Afni, N., & Wahyuningsih, N. E. (2021). Pendidikan era revolusi Industri 4.0 menuju Era Society 5.0 di masa pandemik COVID 19. Moderasi: Jurnal Studi Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial, 2(1), 58-78.
Kee, D. M. H., Anwar, A., Gwee, S. L., & Ijaz, M. F. (2023). Impact of acquisition of digital skills on perceived employability of youth: Mediating role of course quality. Information, 14(1), 1-13.
Khan, N., Sarwar, A., Chen, T. B., & Khan, S. (2022). Connecting digital literacy in higher education to the 21st century workforce. Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International Journal, 14(1), 46-61.
Khlaisang, J., & Yoshida, M. (2022). Empowering global citizens with digital literacy: Modeling the factor structure. International Journal of Instruction, 15(4), 577-594.
Khoroshilov, A. (2021). Digital age: New competencies and occupations that define a sustainable development amidst the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Voprosy statistiki, 28(3), 31-44.
Komalasari, A. (2021). Developing 21st century education and digital literacy skills through intercultural city stories project. PIONEER: Journal of Language and Literature, 13(1), 1-15.
Kusumastuti, A., & Nuryani, A. F. (2020). Digital literacy levels in ASEAN (Comparative study on ASEAN countries). Proceedings of the 13th International Interdisciplinary Studies Seminar, IISS 2019, 30-31 October 2019, Malang, Indonesia. EAI.
Mahmud, M. M., & Wong, S. F. (2022). Digital age: The importance of 21st century skills among the undergraduates. Frontiers in Education, 7(1), 01-09.
Marini, S., Hanum, F., & Sulistiyo, A. (2020). Digital literacy: Empowering Indonesian women in overcoming digital divide. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Social Science and Character Educations (pp. 137-141). Atlantis Press.
Maya, L., & Suseno, M. (2022). Investigating the incorporation of digital literacy and 21st-century skills into postgraduate students’ learning activities. ELE Reviews: English Language Education Reviews, 2(1), 13-27.
Mohamed, S., Wok, S., Ghazali, W. N. W., & Nasir, N. S. M. (2022). Factors influencing digital problem-solving skills among B40 children living at the Pusat Perumahan Rakyat (PPR). e-Bangi Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 19(1), 31-46.
More, R. (2021). Digital information literacy among undergraduate students in Dodamarg. International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 8(3), 973-977.
Parianom, R., Arrafi, I. J., & Desmintari, D. (2022). The impact of digital technology literacy and lifeskills on poverty reduction. Devotion Journal of Community Service, 3(12), 2002-2007.
Purnama, S., Ulfah, M., Ramadani, L., Rahmatullah, B., & Ahmad, I. F. (2022). Digital storytelling trends in early childhood education in Indonesia: A systematic literature review. Jurnal Pendidikan Usia Dini, 16(1), 17-31.
Putra, P., Windah, A., & Tarisa, A. (2022). Adopsi dan implementasi kecakapan literasi informasi dan literasi digital untuk akselerasi UMKM di Indonesia pasca pandemi COVID-19. Fihris: Jurnal Ilmu Perpustakaan Dan Informasi, 16(2), 177-199.
Rahman, M. J. A., Sinau, M. T., & Ensimau, N. K. (2020a). The level of readiness among rural school teacher in improving the language skills of preschool children by using the multimedia. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(11A), 71-77.
Rahman, M. J. A., Ali, M. M., & Sinau, M. T. (2020b). 21st century learning in rural preschools: Development of early literacy. Global Conferences Series: Social Sciences, Education and Humanities, 4(1), 415-423.
Reddy, P., Sharma, B., & Chaudhary, K. (2020). Digital literacy: A review of literature. International Journal of Technoethics, 11(2), 65-94.
Rizaldi, D. R., Nurhayati, E., & Fatimah, Z. (2020). The correlation of digital literation and STEM integration to improve Indonesian students’ skills in 21st Century. International Journal of Asian Education, 1(2), 73-80.
Saenab, S., Saleh, A. R., & Adnan, A. (2022). How Literate are prospective science teachers in this digital era? Profile of digital literacy skills of preservice science teachers in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. SAR Journal - Science and Research, 5(4), 194-199.
Shuhidan, S. M., Yahaya, W. A. W., Hashim, H., & Baharudin, M. F. (2022). Influence of digital literacy on learning engagement among secondary students in Malaysia. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 7(SI10), 135–139.
Silber-Varod, V., Eshet-Alkalai, Y., & Geri, N. (2019). Tracing research trends of 21st-century learning skills. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(6), 3099-3118.
Suherman, A., Supriyadi, T., & Safari, I. (2020). Promoting digital literacy skills: An action research to people of Kampung Literasi. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(4), 1372-1386.
Supartoyo, Y. H. (2022). Literasi digital mendukung daya saing dan transformasi digital menuju era society 5.0. Jurnal Abdimas Adpi Sosial dan Humaniora, 3(3), 387-391.
Tejedor, S., Cervi, L., Perez-Escoda, A., & Jumbo, F. T. (2020). Digital literacy and higher education during COVID-19 lockdown: Spain, Italy, and Ecuador. Publications, 8(4), 48.
Tohara, A. J. T., Shuhidan, S. M., Bahry, F. D. S., & Nordin, M. N. (2021). Exploring digital literacy strategies for students with special educational needs in the digital age. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 12(9), 3345–3358.
Utomo, D. W., Barathayomi, W., Pujiastuti, H., & Haryadi, R. (2021). The influence of web-centric course in learning basic Mathematics toward the digital literacy skills of preservice Mathematics teachers. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1796(1), 012015.
Wahjusaputri, S., & Nastiti, T. I. (2022). Digital literacy competency indicator for Indonesian high vocational education needs. Journal of Education and Learning, 16(1), 85-91.
Waliyuddin, D. S., & Sulisworo, D. (2022). High order thinking skills and digital literacy skills instrument test. Ideguru: Jurnal Karya Ilmiah Guru, 7(1), 47-52.
Wijaya, A. (2020). The role of mathematics teacher in the digital era. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1581(1), 012069.
Yoo, H. (2022). Building 21st century skills through technology in general music classes. Journal of General Music Education, 36(1), 21-31.
Yulhendri, Y., Sofya, R., & Ritonga, M. (2021). Analysis and development of learning plans using project based learning model in fostering 4 Cs skills of economics education students. Proceedings of the Sixth Padang International Conference on Economics Education, Economics, Business and Management, Accounting and Entrepreneurship (pp. 294-301). Atlantis Press.
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2025-02-28
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Comparative analysis of digital literacy and 21st-century skills among university graduates in Malaysia and Indonesia: The role of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity. (2025). Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 10(1), 166-191. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss1pp166-191
