OBSERVATION

Observer engaged or involved with children

Being ‘detached’ from children

People change their behaviour when they know that they are being watched subconsciously or consciously

physical setting(where), social setting(who), activities(what)

Recording the frequency

how many times a behaviour occurs for a set of 5 minutes

how many times a behaviour occurs every 5 minutes in 30 minutes

Indicate degree or level of a personal behaviour or skill Behaviour or skill marked off at a certain point on a scale (lowest to highest)

can observe on a daily basis for a period of time for average scores to be gathered numbers on the scale are represented by words

Include descriptors that define what to look for at each level of performance Have guidelines that distinguish performance from one level to another Traits need to be observable

Can record both the quantity and quality of participation Can be recorded by the teacher, other adults or children Shows children’s preferences and patterns of participation over time

Records whatever a child does or says over his/ her life over time and captures details of context (open method)

Pictorial representation of information Represent data collected during observations Useful for gathering information about a group of children e.g. which play equipment is most frequented by children, what types of books do children like, how many children come to school by bus