Deck 18: Professional and Cultural Dimensions of Teaching

Question 1

Standard 6 of the AITSL standards for teachers, 'Engage in Professional learning', does not include:

A) Identify and plan professional learning needs.
B) Engage in professional learning and improve practice.
C) Engage in independent learning and practice.
D) Apply professional learning and improve student learning.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Is the following statement True or False? 'Women hold a disproportionate percentage of the principalships in Australian schools.'

Answer 2

False (Men hold a disproportionate percentage of the principalships in Australian schools.)

Question 3

Within the context of findings about the lifecycle phases through which teachers pass, the ability to mentor younger teachers has been found to be most typical of teachers in the:

A) stabilisation phase.
B) diversification and change phase.
C) stocktaking phase.
D) serenity phase.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

How did Marginson (1993) define the term 'professional development' and what, according to Ingvarson (2002), are the principles that should underpin it?

Question 5

What is meant by the term 'transformational leadership' and how does it relate to school culture?

Question 6

In Beare, Caldwell and Millikan's (1991) explanation of school culture, one of the aesthetic aspects of school culture is:

A) cultural support within communities.
B) special rituals and ceremonies.
C) a unique history of achievements and traditions.
D) a unique socio-economic and geographic location.

Question 7

According to Ingersoll and Strong (2011) one main factor behind the high turnover of beginning teachers is:

A) poor preparation.
B) lack of support from school leaders.
C) the demands of teaching a wide range of abilities.
D) student behaviour.

Question 8

A characteristic of a profession that is common to the three lists identified by Stinnett & Hoggett (1963), Purvis (1973) and Travers and Reboric (1990) is that members:

A) establish their own standards.
B) have a code of ethics.
C) place service above personal gain.
D) engage in intellectual activities.

Question 9

The use of the term 'profession' originated in Europe in the:

A) 16th century.
B) 17th century.
C) 18th century.
D) 19th century.

Question 10

How do you respond to the perception by some that teaching is a 'skilled trade' rather than a profession? Draw on insights from the theorists in Chapter 18 to present an argument for and against the idea of teaching being a profession.

Question 11

According to researchers such as Orlich et al. (2009) one of the greatest challenges facing teachers in the 21st century is:

A) adopting information communication technologies.
B) meeting parental expectations.
C) responding to multiple reforms.
D) achieving a complex array of standards.

Question 12

In his findings about teaching in the 1960s Lortie (1975) found that teaching was 'relatively career-less', that teachers' satisfaction came from 'psychic rewards' and that teachers have 'endemic uncertainties'. Write a sentence for each of these findings explaining what Lortie meant and indicate whether you think each finding is still relevant to the 21st century and why.

Question 13

What is your understanding of what comprises a school's culture? Use at least six of the 'manifestations' of school culture from Beare, Caldwell and Millikan's 'Framework for analysing school culture' (shown in Figure 18.3) to describe features of a school culture which you would find supportive as a beginning teacher.

Question 14

A characteristic of a profession that is identified only by Stinnett & Hoggett (1963) is that it:

A) offers a high degree of personal autonomy.
B) is a life-long career.
C) commands a body of specialised knowledge.
D) involves individual judgment.

Question 15

In Beare, Caldwell and Millikan's (1991) framework for analysing school culture, a visual/material manifestation is:

A) artefacts and memorabilia.
B) teaching and learning.
C) metaphors.
D) organisational structures.

Question 16

What are the responsibilities of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) established in 2010?

Question 17

In Australia, the highest proportion of teachers are in their middle to late:

A) twenties.
B) thirties.
C) forties.
D) fifties.

Question 18

According to Webb et al. (2004), a country where teacher professionalism is associated with a drive to raise standards and 'commercialised professionalism' is:

A) England
B) the United States.
C) Australia.
D) Finland.

Question 19

One of the sources of teacher satisfaction in Australia has been found to be:

A) relationships with superiors and employers.
B) changing student behaviour and attitudes.
C) opportunities for promotion.
D) short working hours and long holidays.

Question 20

A study by Carrington, Tymms and Merrell (2008) of 11 year olds in which male teachers were matched with classes of boys and female teachers were matched with classes of girls found:

A) a positive impact on boys.
B) a positive impact on girls.
C) a positive impact on girls and boys.
D) no discernable impact on girls or boys.

Question 21

One difference between the results of Australian students and students in many other countries on large-scale comparative tests such as PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) is:

A) Australian students perform at a higher level in Mathematics.
B) Australian students perform at a higher level in Science.
C) the relationship between social background and achievement is stronger.
D) the relationship between gender and achievement is stronger.

Question 22

In reference to the relationship between the Commonwealth and the states in the management of education, 'hard policy' refers to Commonwealth policy requirements:

A) that are difficult to meet.
B) linked to funding.
C) linked to raising student achievement standards.
D) that are mandatory.