Much pedagogic research undertaken in geography and other disciplines relies on post-hoc methods such as surveys or interviews to investigate the student experience of higher education (often based on self-reports of behaviour). However, observation of students provides a far more direct route to obtain information about their behaviour, and there…

The correct assessment of observable student behavior is an important tool in the ongoing education process. Whether the setting is a classroom, a field experience, an activity, or a residential treatment center, proper evaluation techniques will provide information for the determination of policies and programs. The Flexible Observation…

A set of criteria was developed to assist users and developers of observation systems. Thirty-three criteria which observation systems should meet were identified and classified into three main types: identifying, validity, and practicality. (Author/DEP)

The Involvement Instrument, an observational technique for examining children's interaction patterns and degree of involvement within the school setting, is presented in this paper. Training protocols for obtaining skill in using the Involvement Instrument, methods of analyzing data obtained by using the instrument, and criteria for determining…

The Naturalistic Evaluation Methodology presented here rests on a transactionist theory of child development, an ecological view of human behavior and the quasi-clinical method of inquiry. It is intended that the procedures will lead not only to the improvement of the quality of preschool education but will generate knowledge about children's…

Evaluation of effective classroom teaching has long plagued school supervisors and administrators. Rating is generally done with criteria which varies according to the educational objectives of the rater as well as with his subjective impressions of the staff member being rated. Counselor Educators are faced with a similar problem when attempting…

A number of problems are identified and questions raised about the usefulness of conventional instruments of educational and psychological measurement in curriculum evaluation and research. Four purposes of curriculum evaluation data are identified: (1) advancement of science, (2) curriculum revision, (3) provision of data for the formulation of…

From "Educational Leadership/Research Supplement, v2 n5 May 1969, edited by the Research Council of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (James Raths, Chairman).

To address the need for objective evaluation of parent-child interactions, the investigators created a taxonomy of interactional behaviors used by parents and preverbal/early verbal children. Based on statistical analysis, the taxonomy was shortened to include only those objective behaviors that were highly correlated with the overall subjective…

Eisner's educational criticism model produces a richer description of an English classroom than does Flanders' interaction analysis. (Author)

Describes the ACI (Activities Categories), a system based on Flander's interaction analysis. Each of eleven activity categories is explained and classified as being either student centered or teacher centered. Reviews the use of ACI and how the data are analyzed. (PR)

An observational technique for assessing the social interaction skills of elementary age students with disabilities is described. The procedure focuses on three interaction elements: (1) initiating the interaction, (2) turn taking, and (3) responding to the interaction. The method of data recording and analysis is delineated. (DB)

The article describes the pilot testing of a direct observation procedure for observing social interactions of mentally retarded and non-retarded workers in supported work settings. The instrument was found to be capable of assessing such interactions and was readily utilized by practitioners. (DB)