Digital Competence Learning Ecosystem in Higher Education: A Mapping and Systematic Review of the Literature

The digital competences of university students are developed using a digital learning ecosystem that integrates: 1) virtual learning environments; 2) digital learning tools; and 3) learning methodologies. This research followed the methodology of systematic literature mapping and review, searching the WoS and Scopus databases and obtaining a total of 5,652 articles between 2001 and 2023. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were then applied to reduce the number of selected articles and carry out a systematic literature mapping and review. Among the relevant results of the literature mapping and systematic review, the geographic distribution of scientific publications, the educational areas in which they have been worked on, and the universities were identified. Educational methodologies, technological tools, and virtual learning environments used to develop university students' digital competences holistically were also determined. This study is useful as it provides a comprehensive, general, and detailed overview of scientific production and its main contributions regarding the methodologies, tools, and environments that contribute to developing students' the digital competences in higher education.