Validation of the competences for the 21st-century skill scale in higher education students

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Carlos Augusto Castanheira
Jacinto Jardim
Carlos Oliveira

Abstract

In a global society, the importance of knowledge and assessment of transversal competences emerges to cope with the challenges of contemporary society, from a perspective of development and lifelong learning. Therefore, it is a priority to use assessment tools adapted to different cultures. The main objective of this study is to validate the instrument ‘Multidimensional 21st Century Skills Scale’ for the Portuguese population. The sample was composed of 413 participants of both genders, with a mean age of 24.30 years (standard deviation = 8.69), aged between 18 and 64 years, attending Higher and Vocational Education. The translation and back-translation of the instrument were carried out by experts (researchers and university professors in the areas of psychology, management, and entrepreneurship). The final version of the scale was composed of 30 items and the exploratory analysis identified three dimensions: Knowledge and Entrepreneurial Skills, Career Awareness and Innovation, and Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. These factors were validated by confirmatory analysis. The authors suggest that the difference found in relation to the original version is related to cultural reasons, the age range of the respondents, as well as their academic level.              


Keywords: 21st century, skill scale, entrepreneurial skills, higher education innovation

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How to Cite
Castanheira, C. A., Jardim, J., & Oliveira, C. (2023). Validation of the competences for the 21st-century skill scale in higher education students. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 18(1), 272–282. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v18i1.7950
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Author Biographies

Carlos Augusto Castanheira, Universidade Aberta, Lisboa, Portugal

Researcher of the CIPSH Cathedra (Cathedra de Estudos Globais), with a particular interest in the areas of Entrepreneurial Competences in Higher Education context directed towards student mobility (Erasmus+). Ph.D. student in Global Studies at Universidade Aberta, in the final stage (2019-2022). His Curriculum Vitae highlights publications in the areas of new information and communication technologies (ICT), based on his basic training and professional practice in the areas of engineering.

Jacinto Jardim, Universidade Aberta, Lisboa, Portugal

 Aggregation in Social Sciences and specialty of Global Studies, in the sub-area of Education for Entrepreneurship, by Universidade Aberta (2021); completed a Ph.D. in Educational Sciences in 2007 from the University of Aveiro, a Master's Degree in Educational Sciences in 2003 from the Catholic University of Portugal, a Degree in Educational Sciences in 1996 from the Pontifical Salesian University, a Degree in Theology in 1993 from the Catholic University of Portugal. He is an Integrated Researcher at Universidade Aberta. He works in the Social Sciences area with an emphasis on Educational Sciences, Educational Psychology, and Management. He has investigated soft skills, entrepreneurship education, and program intervention.

Carlos Oliveira, ISLA - Instituto Politécnico de Gestao e Tecnologia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

Carlos Miguel Fernandes de Oliveira. Completed his Ph.D. in Management in 2014 by Universidade Portucalense Infante Dom Henrique and Degree in Business Sciences in 1995 by ISLA - Instituto Superior de Línguas e Administração. He is a Researcher at the Centre for Population, Economy and Society Studies, Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto, Coordinating Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Management and Technology School of Management, and Head of Unit at the Polytechnic Institute of Management and Technology School of Management.  In his curriculum Vitae Science the most frequent terms in the contextualization of scientific, technological, and artistic-cultural production are Human Resource Management Practices; Internationalization; Export Performance; Value Creation, and Organizational Capabilities.