Quest technologies in rural schools as a tool for overcoming digital determinism and career guidance for Agriculture 4.0

A. N. Semin¹ , O. D. Falchenko¹, E. G. Stremousova¹ , A. N. Budarina²

¹ Ural State University of Economics, Ekaterinburg, Russia

² Ural State Agrarian University, Ekaterinburg, Russia

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Volume 26 No. 7

Date of paper submission: 19.04.2026, date of review: 15.05.2026, date of acceptance: 03.06.2026 

Published: 07/31/2026

Abstract. The purpose of the study is to provide a theoretical and methodological justification for the potential of quest technologies in rural schools as a tool for overcoming digital determinism, increasing students’ learning motivation, and supporting early career guidance for the agro-industrial complex of the new technological paradigm. The relevance of the research is determined by the reduction in the number of rural schools, the persistence of digital inequality between urban and rural areas, the transformation of educational preferences of Generation Z, and the continuing shortage of personnel in the agro-industrial sector. The theoretical basis of the study includes works by Russian and foreign researchers on rural schools, digital inequality, digital determinism, generational characteristics of students, problem-based learning, quest technologies, gamification, and digital transformation of agriculture. The methodological basis of the study includes systemic, activity-based, competency-based, sociocultural, and practice-oriented approaches. The research methods include theoretical analysis of scientific literature, analysis of policy and statistical materials, comparative analysis of Russian and international experience, typology, pedagogical design, and analytical modeling. The results show that quest technology has significant compensatory and career-guidance potential for rural schools: it reduces the dependence of the educational process on digital infrastructure, preserves students’ agency, strengthens teamwork, and links educational content with the real socioeconomic context of rural areas. The scientific novelty of the study lies in interpreting quest technology not only as an interactive pedagogical technique but also as an element of the human-capital ecosystem of Agriculture 4.0, connecting rural schools, agritechnology classes, agricultural universities, agricultural producers, and local communities. The practical significance of the study is determined by the possibility of using its results in the development of agritechnology classes, career-guidance modules, humanities lessons, and extracurricular activities in rural schools.

Keywords: quest technologies, rural school, digital determinism, digital inequality, Generation Z, agritechnology classes, Agriculture 4.0, personnel training, career guidance, human capital of rural areas

For citation: Semin A. N., Falchenko O. D., Stremousova E. G., Budarina A. N. Quest technologies in rural schools as a tool for overcoming digital determinism and career guidance for Agriculture 4.0. Agrarian Bulletin of the Urals. 2026; 26 (07): 1348‒1362. https://doi.org/10.32417/1997-4868-2026-26-07-1348-1362 (In Russ.) 

   

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