Advancing Equity in Education: Technology-Enhanced Curriculum for Pre-Service Teachers in Rural Contexts

This study undertakes a systematic literature review studying the integration of technology in the pre-service teacher education curricula to promote equity in rural settings. With a focus on rural schools in South Africa, the review attempts synthesis of research, policy, and case studies on how technology-enhanced curricula might help alleviate disparities in teaching and learning. The review indicates that although digital tools hold great promise for broadening instructional approaches and learner engagement, their application in rural school settings is neither widespread nor systematic due to infrastructural, socio-economic, and training issues. The chapter emphasizes the need to develop curricula tailored to specific contextual factors, alongside strategies for ongoing professional development and inclusive policy frameworks that assist pre-service teachers to utilize technology effectively. Bridging this divide will promote equity in education and thus provide future teachers with the requisite skills demanded by 21st-century classrooms. Several recommendations are provided for curriculum developers, teacher educators, and policy makers interested in using technology to transform rural education.