A book launch was held in November by the Faculty of Education in the Postgraduate Research Commons.  Six books were launched. Prof Chika Sehoole, Dean, welcomed the guest and the Editors.

He introduced every Editor. Prof Rinelle Evans and Prof Ina Joubert  wrote ‘Introducing Children’s Literature – A Guide for the South African Classroom’; Prof Everard Weber – ‘A Home away from Home’; Dr Denise Bentrovato – two publications – History can Bite: History education in divided and postwar societies; Learning to Live Together in Africa through History Education; Dr Ruth Aluko – ‘Assuring institutional quality in open distance learning (ODL) in the developing contexts’; Prof Kobus Maree – ‘Psychology of Career Adaptability, Employability, and Resilience’. Every Editor introduced his or her book to the guests.

Introducing Children’s Literature – A Guide for the South African Classroom

For several reasons, there is not a culture of reading in South Africa. Reinforcing this habit as well as encouraging an appreciation of books might address some of the educational challenges being faced. Teachers as change agents therefore need a sound understanding of the importance of reading beyond using it for learning.

The book also provides insightful information on the:

• Developmental stages of a child.
• History of South African literature with particular reference to the oral tradition.
• Role of the adult in establishing a reading culture.
• Practicalities of introducing children to stories and literature in the diverse context of South Africa.
• Use of illustrations and technology to enhance other literacies.
• Techniques of storytelling, selecting appropriate texts.
• Influence of the hidden curriculum in terms of moral development, stereotyping, sanitizing and representation.

Prof Rinelle Evans holds a doctorate in curriculum and instructional design with special reference to instructional communications via television technology. She also obtained a Masters degree (cum laude) in teaching English to speakers of other languages from the University of Birmingham, UK. She is currently an associate professor involved with teacher education and facilities modules related to literacies, communication skills and language teaching methodology in the Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria.

Prof Ina Joubert is an associate professor in the Department of early Childhood Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria, where she acts as head of the department. She serves on the management committee of the South African Research Association of Early Childhood Education (SARAECE) and on the editorial board of the South African Journal of Education (SAJE). She specializes in democratic citizenship and language education related to young children.                                                      

A Home Away from Home

The demographic compositions of many universities have changed, not only in South Africa, but across the world. This book reviews the developments particularly as they relate to Africa. It examines the changing social relations of postgraduate South Africa and international students living together in residence at the University of Pretoria. It is a qualitative case study on content analyses of semi-structures interviews with students.

Everard Weber studied African languages and History at the University of Cape Town, and Comparative and International Education at Harvard University. He has worked at Crestway High School in Retreat, Cape Town, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the University of Johannesburg. He is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Education Management and Policy Studies in the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria.                                                                    

Learning to Live Together in Africa Through History Education

This study commissioned by UNESCO, sheds light on the current state of history education in Africa and reflects on its potential to prepare Africa’s learners for the challenges of “learning to live together”. Drawing on an examination of school curricula and the experiences of educational stakeholders, it identifies trends in the processes and outcomes of recent curricular revisions, and discerns key challenges relating to the teaching and learning of history across Africa.

History Can Bite: History Education in Divided and Postwar Societies

The book constitutes an original and timely contribution to scholarly investigations on the distinct, yet still often neglected, role of education in conflict and peace. The book offers critical insights into approaches adopted in schools to teach about violent pasts, the challenges and opportunities involved in such endeavours, and the implications of current practices for peace-building.

Denise Bentrovato is a post-doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Humanities Education at the University of Pretoria, and the co-founder and co-director of the African Association for History Education, based in South Africa. She has a background in conflict resolution, African history, and history education.                                                                                   

Assuring Institutional Quality in Open Distance Learning (ODL) in the Developing Countries

Quality Assurance and its management has only recently started to develop in open and distance learning (ODL), especially in the developing context. ODL has faced an ongoing struggle to establish its credibility and legitimacy, even when the quality has proven good. In the developing world, not much attention has been afforded quality assurance and its management in ODL. This book attempts to generate robust debate on questions and concerns surrounding the topic, and seeks to bridge the gap between policy propositions and implementation.

Ruth Aluko is a researcher and instructional design supporter with the Unity for Distance Education at the University of Pretoria. She manages the quality assurance of distance education practices in the unit. She is also involved in the facilitation of training and workshops at both local and international levels. She has presented papers and has published widely in the field of ODL.

Psychology of Career Adaptability, Employability and Resilience

This book examines how the career counselling profession should respond to the changes in the world of work that have resulted from the increasing need to communicate faster and disseminate information more efficiently. It emphasises the twin aims of enhancing a person’s career adaptability and helping them to become more employable, rather than linearly trying to find a job and remaining in one organisation for their entire career-lives. This book shows that, to achieve these aims, people need to acquire career resilience, especially since the world of work no longer affords the luxury of work-holding environments for the duration of a person’s entire career-life.

Prof Kobus Maree (DEd (Career Counselling); PhD (Learning Facilitation in Mathematics); DPhil (Psychology), is a full professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria. His main research interests are career construction (counselling), life design (counselling), emotional-social intelligence and social responsibility, and learning facilitation in mathematics. He links research results to appropriate career choices and to life designing.
 

The book launch created an opportunity for academics to share their research and experiences with their colleagues and friends.