Free Education Question & Answer: Top-Quality Sample To Follow

Observations are essential to the evaluation of educational concepts, practices, and results. Observations can be made to actually observe what is going on in the class. Observations can also be made related to the data, and other observations can be made to evaluate the results. This paper will discuss different observation tools, purposes for the observations, and explain how the data can be used.
Quantitative observations are used to measure classroom events, behaviors, and objects. Categorical observations include the professional defining the events and behaviors, by keeping track of details related to frequency and intervals. These initial observations are needed to set the environment for the experience, including location, number of teachers, and number of students. As more information is categorized measurements can be made to determine the effectiveness.
This can be achieved through the use of performance indicators, which determine whether or not an action or behavior is occurring in the classroom, and how often. Certain objects that were defined may not be a factor related to the experience occurring in the classroom. To be more effective in quantitative observations, it makes sense to use visual diagraming, which can allow the observer to video tape or record the sound in the setting to reflect on the information on a later occasion. This can be useful to observe children, but the sight of a video camera can alter the behavior of the children if they are aware they are being recorded.
Qualitative observations are used to answer questions. Verbatim involves writing down exactly what is said as a response to the question posed. This is a valuable form of observations because it allows the observer to note any sound effects, laughing, or alterations in speech pattern quicker than if the observations only write down the pertinent facts. Focused questionnaires are also useful, because it allows the observer to record the written response of the participants. This can be completed with the participant being known or not. In the educational setting it could make sense to have the participants only note if they are male or female, and there should be separate questionnaires for the teachers when necessary.
In conclusion, observation is needed to make productive changes to the educational system. It is clear there are differences in learning between boys and girls, and other variances between students from different socioeconomic statuses. The effects and results of these differences would never have been discovered without observation.