Embracing the 5.0 era and its radical changes to the teaching landscape, digital innovations in pre-service teacher education have garnered significant attention, as instructional design competencies are critical for today’s educators. Despite the growing interest and promising advancements in technology, integrating these innovations into educational practices remains a complex challenge. This research paper explores how learning technologies, such as adaptive learning systems, virtual reality (VR) environments, and collaborative online platforms, can be adopted to enhance teacher training and instructional strategies, examining current applications, potential benefits, and the hurdles faced by teachers and institutions. This research employs a qualitative approach, drawing on case studies and a review of existing literature to provide a comprehensive analysis of digital integration in pre-service teacher education and instructional design. By synthesizing recent research and theoretical perspectives, this paper aims to offer actionable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to optimize teaching and learning outcomes in the digital era.