Collaborative Skills Training Using Digital Tools: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The development of information and communication technologies has changed our way of working, emphasizing the need for individuals to develop collaborative skills. The aim of the present systematic review was to examine the extent to which these skills can be developed through the use of digital tools. A search of seven electronic databases, following PRISMA guidelines, yielded 18 relevant peer-reviewed articles. Analysis of the literature revealed that digital tools have the potential to enhance collaborative skills. However, the effects vary considerably, depending on which tools, methods, and measures are used. It also revealed that studies were conducted mainly in the social sciences, mostly among students, and half of them focused on short interventions. Another finding was that little is known about the features of the digital tools that actually contribute to these effects. Work on how digital tools contribute to the development of collaborative skills is still in its infancy, and more research based on rigorous methods and measures is needed.