Observational Observational ToolsTools

Dr. AyersHPER 448

Western Michigan University

TypesTypes

Intuitive Observation Anecdotal Records Rating Scales Event Recording Duration Recording Time Sampling Analytical Tools

Intuitive ObservationIntuitive Observation

Is not systematic Does not identify

any specific aspect of instruction

Observer draws conclusions w/o collecting info

Eyeballing

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Does not require training Can isolate glaring problems Is informal

Weaknesses Unreliable Conclusions not based on recorded

info Limited to observer’s experience

Anecdotal RecordsAnecdotal Records

Actual description of events

Teacher actions Student actions Relationship

between t-s actions Narrative record of

instructional setting

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Observation based on real events Useful detail

Weaknesses Observer’s capacity to capture detail Requires a great deal of info Must be analyzed in great detail Requires observer training

Rating ScalesRating Scales

Specific variables are defined

Behaviors are quantified based on numeric scale

Quality of variable is recorded

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Useful for qualitative analysis Can increase observer reliability

Weaknesses Usually abused and over-used Variables are not always well defined Need to attach criteria to each rating

level

Event RecordingEvent Recording

Records the presence or absence of an event

Assesses the frequency of a defined behavior in an instructional setting

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Systematic, valid and reliable Effective qualitative data can be

gathered Weaknesses

Requires training Capacity of the observer to distinguish

between behaviors as they occur transiently

Duration RecordingDuration Recording

Keeps track of when an event starts and ends

Records the amount of time that a teacher or group of students engage in a defined behavior

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Little effort or training required Useful for events that occur over long

periods of time Weaknesses

Capacity of the observer to distinguish among behaviors as these occur in instructional setting

Capacity to record overall performance

Time SamplingTime Sampling

Observer records what is happening during specific time period

Spot checks for specific behaviors

Plachecks- Planned Activity Checks

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Enables observer to collect useful info

in short period of time Can be used in conjunction with other

tools Weaknesses

Can only be used for behaviors that do not change quickly

Observer’s capacity to distinguish among behaviors

Analytical Tools: ALT-PEAnalytical Tools: ALT-PE

Measures that portion of the lesson that students are engaged in motor activity successfully

Assesses the physical activity specified in lesson plan objectives

ALT-PE Observation ALT-PE Observation SystemSystem

HOW DO TEACHERS SPEND THEIR TIME DURING A CLASS SESSION?

HOW DO STUDENTS SPEND THEIR TIME DURING A CLASS SESSION?

Motor Appropriate Motor Inappropriate Motor Supportive Non-Motor Engaged

Interim Waiting Off-task On-task Cognitive

Student VariablesStudent Variables

Student Variables-2Student Variables-2

Management Organization Management Conduct Activity Instruction Off-task

Teacher VariablesTeacher Variables

Instruction Management Observation Feedback

Teacher Movement Travel Pattern Instructional Set up Instructional Transitions Observation Patterns

General Specific

Other Instructional VariablesOther Instructional Variables

ALT-PE Observation TechniquesALT-PE Observation Techniques

Interval Recording Group Time sampling Duration Recording

Reliability Extent to which two observers agree (Agreements /Agreements +

Disagreements) / 100= Percent agreement 80% is target

Percentage Amount of time spent in a behavior divided

by total observation time Long term behaviors

Observational Analysis ToolsObservational Analysis Tools

Rate Number of times an event occurs

divided by total observation time Short term behaviors “Times per minute” “Miles per hour”

Observational Analysis ToolsObservational Analysis Tools

Content Analysis Presentation Analysis Travel Pattern Event Recording- Rate Duration Recording- Percentage Strategies Based on Observed Data Self-Assessment- Predictions Reflective Analysis

WMU Observation SystemWMU Observation System