Mapping the landscape: A scoping review of 21st century skills literature in secondary education

21st century skills prepare students to adapt to a rapidly changing world, ensuring their capability of continuous learning and problem-solving. This review provides a systematic overview of how 21st century skills are addressed in research. It focuses on the context of secondary education and uses a PRISMA flow diagram to analyze 82 research articles. Results reveal that research on 21st century skills focuses on educational stakeholders’ opinions and attitudes, their potential effects and how they are implemented or assessed. The findings highlight a need for research to enhance the implementation of 21st century skills in secondary education. • Research on the 21st century skills was reviewed with respect to secondary education. • Research on the 21st century skills was viewed from different perspectives (e.g., research methods, involved stakeholders). • Research and studies concerning 21st century skills have mostly taken place in Asia and North America. • Few research was found in the area of assessment of 21st century skills. • Regarding content, most research focuses on the implementation or utilization and effects of 21st CS on educational concepts.