OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open-access peer-reviewed journal
https://doi.org/10.64211/oidaijsd190201
Investigating the extent in which ecological systems help lecturers to enact Artificial intelligence strategies for adaptive teaching
Percy Thabiso Mhlanga 1*, Thokozani Isaac Mtshali 2, Samuel Dumazi Khoza 3
1,2,3 Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa.
* Corresponding author: mhlangapt@tut.ac.za
Volume 19, Issue 02, Pg. 11-22, 2026.
Abstract: The paper explores the influences Ecological Systems has in the growth of humankind and adaptation to technological changes. Institutes of learning are now adapting to the growth of Technology in which now is blown by AI immense growth as a teaching strategy (i.e., helping students to understand difficult and abstract mechanical concepts through AI.). This paper therefore explored how Ecological System helps lecturers to enact Artificial Intelligence strategies for adaptive teaching in Gauteng TVET Colleges that are offering Mechanical Engineering. Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions find themselves as one of the critical sectors mandated with skills and manpower development roles in response to the needs of industry and commerce. It therefore follows that, the competence of lecturers who can effectively and efficiently transfer the relevant technical and vocational knowledge, and skills becomes a critical national imperative for analysis and discourse. The study was guided by Ecological System Theory framework in trying to give direction to study fundamentals. This study deployed qualitative research approach and further used interviews, observation and equipment analysis as a data collection instrument. Thematic analysis was a tool used to analyse the data obtained. The study found that Mechanical Engineering lecturers at TVET colleges lack training or development into the use of AI. Furthermore the study found that infrastructure is another stumbling block in most of the institutes as they don’t have proper equipment of resources to enable lecturers to use AI strategies for adaptive teaching.
Keywords: Ecological Systems, AI, TVET, Mechanical Engineering, Adaptive Teaching
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