Observational Tools Dr. Ayers HPER 448 Western Michigan University

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

Intuitive Observation u Is not systematic u Does not identify any specific aspect of instruction u Observer draws conclusions w/o collecting info u Eyeballing

Strengths and Weaknesses u Strengths u Does not require training u Can isolate glaring problems u Is informal u Weaknesses u Unreliable u Conclusions not based on recorded info u Limited to observer’s experience

Anecdotal Records u Actual description of events u Teacher actions u Student actions u Relationship between t-s actions u Narrative record of instructional setting

Strengths and Weaknesses u Strengths u Observation based on real events u Useful detail u Weaknesses u Observer’s capacity to capture detail u Requires a great deal of info u Must be analyzed in great detail u Requires observer training

Rating Scales u Specific variables are defined u Behaviors are quantified based on numeric scale u Quality of variable is recorded

Strengths and Weaknesses u Strengths u Useful for qualitative analysis u Can increase observer reliability u Weaknesses u Usually abused and over-used u Variables are not always well defined u Need to attach criteria to each rating level

Event Recording u Records the presence or absence of an event u Assesses the frequency of a defined behavior in an instructional setting

Strengths and Weaknesses u Strengths u Systematic, valid and reliable u Effective qualitative data can be gathered u Weaknesses u Requires training u Capacity of the observer to distinguish between behaviors as they occur transiently

Duration Recording u Keeps track of when an event starts and ends u Records the amount of time that a teacher or group of students engage in a defined behavior

Strengths and Weaknesses u Strengths u Little effort or training required u Useful for events that occur over long periods of time u Weaknesses u Capacity of the observer to distinguish among behaviors as these occur in instructional setting u Capacity to record overall performance

Time Sampling u Observer records what is happening during specific time period u Spot checks for specific behaviors u Plachecks- Planned Activity Checks

Strengths and Weaknesses u Strengths u Enables observer to collect useful info in short period of time u Can be used in conjunction with other tools u Weaknesses u Can only be used for behaviors that do not change quickly u Observer’s capacity to distinguish among behaviors

Analytical Tools: ALT-PE u Measures that portion of the lesson that students are engaged in motor activity successfully u Assesses the physical activity specified in lesson plan objectives

ALT-PE Observation System u HOW DO TEACHERS SPEND THEIR TIME DURING A CLASS SESSION? u HOW DO STUDENTS SPEND THEIR TIME DURING A CLASS SESSION?

u Motor Appropriate u Motor Inappropriate u Motor Supportive u Non-Motor Engaged u Interim u Waiting u Off-task u On-task u Cognitive Student Variables

Student Variables-2 u Management Organization u Management Conduct u Activity u Instruction u Off-task

Teacher Variables u Instruction u Management u Observation u Feedback

u Teacher Movement u Travel Pattern u Instructional Set up u Instructional Transitions u Observation Patterns u General u Specific Other Instructional Variables

ALT-PE Observation Techniques u Interval Recording u Group Time sampling u Duration Recording

u Reliability u Extent to which two observers agree u (Agreements /Agreements + Disagreements) / 100= Percent agreement u 80% is target u Percentage u Amount of time spent in a behavior divided by total observation time u Long term behaviors Observational Analysis Tools

u Rate u Number of times an event occurs divided by total observation time u Short term behaviors u “Times per minute” u “Miles per hour” Observational Analysis Tools

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