THE USE OF CLOUD APPLICATIONS FOR IDENTIFYING 21ST CENTURY SKILLS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

In recent years, cloud applications are integrated into work, daily-life, and the academia. Our goal was to examine the use of cloud applications for educational purposes and identify key skills necessary in the 21st century. The study included 114 lecturers (N=45) and students (N=69) from two higher education institutions. The Mix Method Research model was applied in the collection and analysis of online-questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Findings indicated that in the context of higher education, it seems that cloud computing is not only a model for delivering ICT services, but it may changes the way lecturer perceive their teaching and students perceive their learning. In addition to the necessary skills that were indicated in the 20th decade, we identified four new skills and competences needed for work, citizenship, and self-actualization in the 21st century. Those skills are: a. Acclimatizing to frequent changes and uncertain situations, b. Decision-making in decentralized and nonhierarchical systems, c. Collaborating and communicating in digital environments, d. Generating data and managing information overload.