Introduction to the Teaching Profession – Module 1: What Is Teaching?

Flashcards covering historical context, key figures, societal influences, modern educational aims, and course objectives from the Week 1 lecture on the teaching profession.

Who was Edith Dircksey Cowan and what historic political achievement did she accomplish?

Edith Cowan (1861–1932) was a social worker, suffragette and became the first woman elected to an Australian parliament.

List four social causes for which Edith Cowan actively fought.

Migrant rights, infant health centres, women’s rights (including access to professions), and the education of children in government schools.

Before the 19th century, which group predominantly received formal education?

Mainly children of wealthy families who could afford private tuition fees.

What major change occurred in education from about the 19th century onward?

Schooling became increasingly available to all social classes, leading to widespread public education.

Name two duties required of teachers according to the 1872 ‘Rules for Teachers’.

Filling lamps and cleaning chimneys each day; bringing a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day’s session.

According to the 1872 rules, what consequence awaited women teachers who married or engaged in ‘unseemly conduct’?

They would be dismissed from their teaching position.

Why were early settlers in the Swan River Colony slow to establish schools?

Harsh living conditions meant survival needs took priority over organising formal education.

What warning appeared in UK newspapers about early Western Australia due to lack of schools?

That Western Australia risked becoming a “degraded society.”

How did the Industrial Revolution influence government attitudes toward education?

Governments saw the need for an educated workforce and introduced free, compulsory secular education acts by 1895 in each colony.

What pedagogical approach dominated Australian schools at the turn of the 19th century?

Rote learning.

Why was the founding of Perth Modern School in 1907 significant?

It was a state secondary school not affiliated with a church and aimed to provide broader subjects beyond the classical grammar-school model.

What campaign did John Kickett lead in 1915 regarding Quairading State School?

He fought to end segregation and allow Indigenous children, including his own, to attend the local state school.

Give two ways innovation and technology have reshaped the role of schools today.

They emphasise preparing students for lifelong learning and teaching how to learn rather than merely memorising facts or procedures.

Why are modern teachers often described as ‘facilitators of learning’?

Because they guide and support students’ learning processes and are accountable for student achievement rather than solely delivering content.

List four societal factors that impact schooling, as outlined in the lecture.

Social conditions, cultural conditions, beliefs and value systems, politics, and economics.

Name the three categories of ‘21st Century Skills’.

Learning Skills, Literacy Skills, and Life Skills.

Provide two examples of ‘Learning Skills’ identified as essential for the 21st century.

Critical thinking and collaborating (others include creative thinking and communicating).

What is one primary aim of the EDU1310/EDL1240 unit regarding effective teaching?

To identify and analyse the characteristics of an effective teacher.

Which professional expectation does the unit emphasise alongside classroom practice?

Engaging in professional learning and meeting the requirements of Professional Practice.

Reflective Question: According to the lecture, what should aspiring teachers consider about their future careers?

They should think about what type of teacher they want to be, aligning personal values with professional responsibilities.