A Systematic Literature Review on the Impact of Digital Literacy on Online Learning Effectiveness
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Abstract
This study integrates bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review (SLR) to examine the role of digital literacy in enhancing the effectiveness of online learning and its influence on educational outcomes. Although research on digital literacy in online learning has increased, many studies remain limited to isolated analyses without presenting global publication trends or addressing contextual challenges across different regions. Through bibliometric analysis of 266 Scopus-indexed documents published between 2015 and 2025, this study revealed a significant upward trend in research focusing on the integration of digital skills and technological tools to support quality education. Furthermore, the SLR conducted using the PRISMA framework showed that digital literacy plays a consistent role in improving student engagement, motivation, and academic performance in online learning settings. Despite these benefits, key challenges persist, including unequal access to technology, insufficient digital competence among educators, and limited curriculum integration. The novelty of this study lies in combining bibliometric analysis with SLR to provide a more comprehensive and holistic mapping of research developments. This study has contributed to the understanding of the importance of digital literacy as a foundation for developing inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable online learning ecosystems and supports evidence-based policy formulation.
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Journal of Studies in Science and Engineering is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY-4.0).
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