Abstract:

Foundation Phase teachers need a wide, updated knowledge of children’s literature and other texts to ignite their learner’s love for reading. Once a teacher is aware of good authors, texts, and different genres, they are in a better position to advise and recommend relevant and appropriate books to their learners. Thus, the purpose of this study was to expose Foundation Phase pre-service teachers to a variety of children’s literature in all South African official languages available on the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation digital platform. Through the Masifunde Sonke Extensive Reading Programme which was launched in Makhanda on the 28th of September 2023, students had access to the digital website, a trusted source for information on children’s books. The participants of the study were 60, third-year Bachelor in Education Foundation Phase pre-service teachers. Throughout the year, students were expected to read, discuss, and write reviews of at least 10 texts. The student’s book reviews will be published on an ONIX-based publishers’ portal, a superior book selection tool that will make it easier to source, select, and buy children’s books in all South African languages. This was a mixed methods research, data was collected through surveys, observations, focus group interviews, and analysis of the book reviews. Thus, the study enabled students to acquire much-needed digital and writing skills, ensuring a cohort of graduates with the skills for the 21st-century classroom.

Keywords:

Technology, education, Foundation Phase, Pre-Service teachers, Children's literature.