Initial teacher training for twenty-first century skills in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0): A scoping review

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) is characterized by rapidly changing technologies and workforce demands. Educational systems seek to respond to these changes. Little is known about ways in which Teacher Training Institutions (TTI) are preparing preservice teachers to address these educational demands. This scoping review examines the high-quality literature with respect to initial teacher training activities and challenges, specifically focusing on 21st century skills and technology integration in the context of IR 4.0. The results show TTI requires coherence throughout the organization to effectively respond to shifting needs and contexts. The development of IR 4.0 technologies move swiftly, providing new opportunities for developing preservice teachers' 21st century skills. Such technologies could reframe the role of TTIs and teacher educators. Contrastingly, the pressure for TTI and teacher educators to maintain required skills increases alongside technologies. This scoping review concludes that research on this topic remains valuable and critical to further inform initial teacher training in IR 4.0 to facilitate the development of preservice teachers' 21st century skills.