Cloud Computing Revolution: Enhancing Teaching and Learning in South African TVET Colleges

Abstract

This theoretical paper explores the adoption of cloud computing framework to enhance teaching and learning in South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. These institutions face traditional educational barriers, including limited access to resources and infrastructure, and financial constraints. Cloud-based technologies offer solutions that are flexible, scalable, and costeffective, enabling TVET colleges to overcome these challenges. The study investigates the current state of cloud computing adoption in South African TVET colleges, highlighting key challenges and opportunities. Guided by Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory, which explains how new ideas and technologies spread within a culture, this paper identifies factors that influence technology adoption. A thorough analysis reveals the potential of cloud computing to promote collaborative learning, improve access to educational resources, and support innovative teaching methods. The findings emphasize the importance of strategic planning using the Diffusion of Innovations stages to fully leverage the benefits of cloud computing in South Africa's educational sector. This paper contributes to knowledge and literature on using Diffusion of Innovations as a lens for cloud computing adoption in TVET colleges.