Designing Digital Courses for 21st-Century and Future Skills in Open Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Higher education increasingly uses digital, blended, flipped, and open online learning to develop 21st-century skills. However, evidence on their effectiveness remains fragmented across disciplines and learning contexts. Objective: To synthesize evidence on the effects of digitally redesigned courses on 21st-century and future-oriented skills among higher- and professional-education learners.Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA 2020. Comparative quantitative studies evaluating digital, blended, flipped, or open online course designs against traditional or alternative instruction were eligible. A second search covered studies published from 2024–2026. Study quality was assessed using an MMAT-informed approach. Random-effects meta-analyses using restricted maximum likelihood estimation were conducted in STATA 17, with Hedges’ g and 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using I², τ², Q, and H², and publication bias using contour-enhanced funnel plots and Egger’s test. Results: Nineteen studies were included. Digital course designs showed a moderate-to-large positive effect on 21st-century skills (Hedges’ g = 0.73, 95% CI 0.68–0.78; p < 0.001), with moderate heterogeneity (τ² = 0.01; I² = 46.54%). Effects differed significantly by pedagogical approach, OER use, assessment type, and frequency of use. The largest effects were observed for constructivist-CBE hybrid approaches (g = 0.87), portfolio-based assessment (g = 0.94), and continuous use (g = 0.83). No significant differences were found by delivery format or geographic region. Funnel-plot findings suggested possible publication bias. Conclusions: Digitally redesigned courses can strengthen 21st-century skills, particularly when technology supports active, task-oriented learning and continuous assessment. More skill-specific studies outside health-professions education are needed.