EDL 1240: Introduction to Teaching Study Notes
Introduction to EDL 1240: Introduction to Teaching
Instructor: Jeanette Hairdon
Coordinator & Lecturer for the Unit
Emphasis on professional experience and academic requirements.
Overview of the Unit Structure
Four Modules: - Module 1: Introduction to the teaching profession. - Professional Experience: Includes practical teaching experience.
Historical Context of Educators
Edith Cowan
Named after Edith Cowan, a significant historical figure in Australia.
Birthplace: Glengarry, near Geraldton, Western Australia.
Background: - Social worker, suffragette, politician. - First woman elected to an Australian parliament. - Advocated for migrant rights, women's rights, and children’s education.
Image on the $50 note reflects her importance in history.
Origins of Teaching
Early Education Systems: - Ancient societies (Confucius, Greeks, Romans) provided privatised education. - Wealthy families hired educators for their children. - Socrates introduced the Socratic technique: - Encouraged thinking through questioning rather than direct information.
Historical Educational Access:
- Education historically based on the ability to pay.
- Nineteenth century shift towards accessible education for all children.
Ragged Schools Movement
Emerged in the mid-1800s to educate destitute children.
Originated during the Industrial Revolution in Northern England, catering to children of factory workers.
Schools were informal setups (stables, lofts) where unqualified individuals volunteered to teach.
Extended to Australia, particularly in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania.
Development of Education in Western Australia
Early Education Facilities
Swan River Colony: Established 1829, limited educational facilities due to survival challenges of colonists.
First Colonial School: Established in 1830 at Hay and Irwin Streets, Rush Church, a wooden structure.
Examples of early schools: Mercedes College (1846) and Old Perth Boys School (1854).
Shift Toward Government Education
As industrialisation progressed, need for educated workers increased.
Control of education shifted from churches to governmental responsibility by the late 1800s.
Every Australian colony enacted free and compulsory education by the end of the 1800s.
The Teacher's Situation in the 19th Century
Late 1800s and early 1900s teachers were often unqualified, leading to poor educational standards.
Training systems involved students teaching younger students, perpetuating unqualified instruction.
Claremont Teachers College established in 1902 to address teacher training inadequacies.
Educational Evolution in the 20th Century
Development of Secondary Education
Early 1900s saw a push for secondary education, primarily through church-run schools.
Perth Modern School: Established 1911, first government-run school to offer comprehensive education combining classical and scientific disciplines.
Inspector Cecil Andrews advocated for inclusion of science education in curricula considering state's reliance on mining and agriculture.
Education Reforms and Student Discipline
Unique policies at Perth Modern School included no corporal punishment, promoting a positive learning environment.
Gender segregation was present, with separate entrances and classrooms for boys and girls until the 1950s.
The Case of Queriding State School
John Kickett: Advocated against the segregation of Indigenous students in 1915, highlighting the inequities in access to education.
Queriding now holds state heritage listing for its role in advancing educational reforms for all children.
Modern Educational Considerations
Innovations in Teaching Approaches
Shifts in perspectives about the purpose of education: - From mere fact-recall to fostering information usage and learning processes.
Facilitator of Learning: Teachers' roles have evolved to focus less on direct information delivery and more on creating conducive learning environments.
Accountability in Education
Increased accountability for teachers regarding student outcomes, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
Discussions on education reflect broader cultural, social, and political contexts.
21st Century Skills
Skills emphasized today include: - Critical thinking - Information literacy - Life skills (flexibility, initiative, social interactions).
Teaching these skills often integrated into existing curricula rather than explicitly stated.
Objectives of the Unit
Key elements students will engage with: - Analyze characteristics of effective teaching. - Reflect on pedagogy and curricula in diverse contexts. - Communicate instructional techniques and student assessments. - Meet professional practice requirements.
Unit Attendance and Engagement
Structure of the unit includes: - Lectures: Introduction of key ideas. - Tutorials: Deeper elaboration on lecture content, engaging discussions. - Professional Experience: Starts in Week 5, attendance monitored to ensure preparedness.
Engagement is crucial; low engagement may jeopardize professional placement.
Communication Protocols
Appropriate Communication
Contact Structure: - Queries first directed to tutors (on-campus live / off-campus virtual). - Professional experience questions go directly to Marni Harris, Professional Experience Coordinator. - General or assessment queries escalate to Jeanette Hairdon, Unit Coordinator.
Email Communication
Important practices for professional communication: - Use ECU email accounts. - Polite and respectful greetings: Avoid informal language like "Hey". - Clearly state unit codes and details. - Include a signature block with relevant personal details.
Assessment Criteria
Assessments include: - Assignment: 50% of total grade, details outlined on Canvas. - Professional Experience: Graded out of 10, passing is mandatory. - Final Exam: Two-hour exam with four questions to be answered.
Emphasis on sequential release of information to manage student workload.
Professional Experience Expectations
Clearances must be in place before attending professional experience: - Ensure accuracy of address for placement assignments. - Mandatory training and checks: Working with Children Check, Criminal History Check.
Failure to meet these clearance requirements will result in inability to attend placement.
Reflective Practices in Teaching
Importance of self-reflection: - Great teachers measure success by the learning outcomes of their students. - Reflective practice enables continuous improvement in teaching methods.
Conclusion
Students are invited to envision their future teaching selves and the nature of their classrooms, emphasizing the significance of reflection and professional growth.