The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa has made substantial investments in online learning initiatives and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure to enhance teaching and learning in Community Learning Centres (CLCs). However, there is limited evidence of meaningful pedagogical integration of ICT in adult education. This study examines the status of technology integration in two South African Community Learning Centres that offer adult education programmes: one with access to ICT resources and one without, both situated in semi-urban contexts. Employing a qualitative comparative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with adult learners, lecturers, and centre managers (n = 10), as well as document analysis of lesson plans, DHET ICT policy documents, annual performance plans, and staff training records.The findings indicate that both ICT-rich and ICT-poor centres exhibit minimal pedagogical integration of technology into teaching and learning practices. The availability of ICT resources did not significantly affect instructional approaches. Using Activity Theory, the study identifies systemic challenges contributing to this outcome, including the absence of DHET implementation guidelines specific to Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, a lack of institutional mandates for ICT integration by adult lecturers, insufficient pedagogical ICT training, and the absence of a dedicated learning management system (LMS) for adult learning programmes. ICT integration was primarily dependent on individual lecturer initiative rather than institutional expectations or structured support. The study contributes to a shift from infrastructure provision to the development of CET-specific ICT policies.

Authors:
Khethokwakhe Goodman Chonco, Stadio Higher Education, South Africa

About the Presenter(s)
Khethokwakhe Goodman Chonco is an academic manager and lecturer in the School of Education (Distance Learning) at STADIO Higher Education, where he oversees postgraduate programmes.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/khethokwakhe-chonco-52566011a/

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https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Khethokwakhe-Goodman-Chonco-3

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