Observe and report on pupil performance
Overview
Who is this unit for?
This unit is for those who contribute to the assessment of pupils by teachers. It involves working under the direction of the teacher to observe pupil performance and reporting the results of the observations to the teacher.
What is this unit about?
This unit is about carrying out, and reporting on, systematic observations of pupils to gather evidence of their knowledge, understanding and skills upon which the teacher makes judgements about their stage of development.
This unit contains two elements:
1. Observe pupil performance
2. Report on pupil performance
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Observe pupil performance
P1 clarify and confirm with the teacher:
P1.1 the reasons and objectives for observing pupils' performance
P1.2 which pupils are to be observed
P1.3 the observation methods to be used
P1.4 which tasks and activities will be used to observe the pupils' performance
P2 establish and maintain rapport with the pupils and use observation methods appropriately, to maximise the pupils' cooperation
P3 arrange the environment and other circumstances within observation periods to minimise distractions and interruptions
P4 use facilitative techniques that are consistent with the objectives of the observations
P5 carry out observations and recordings unobtrusively and with minimum disturbance and disruption to the pupils' natural patterns of behaviour
P6 promptly, accurately and legibly complete recordings from observations in the required
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the basic principles of how children and young people develop
K2 the range of behaviours which might be expected of the age and stage of development of pupils with whom you work
K3 how and why to record features of the context and off-task behaviours when making observations of pupils' performance on specific tasks and activities
K4 potential sources of distractions and disruptions during observations of pupils and how to minimise these
K5 how to tailor instructions and requests to pupils to match their age and stage of development
K6 the basic concepts of reliability, validity and subjectivity of observations
K7 the various roles that observers might play in enabling pupils to demonstrate their full potential
K8 possible cultural, social and gender based influences on pupils' responses to being observed
K9 the protocols to be observed when observing pupils
K10 how to summarise and present information from observations of pupil performance
K11 the importance of confidentiality, data protection and sharing information, according to the procedures of your setting
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Glossary
Facilitative techniques
the methods used to encourage pupils to participate fully in tasks and activities designed to elicit the appropriate behaviours, e.g. prompting, questioning, suggesting activities
Formats
the way in which the results of observations are recorded and presented. The format used might be designed to provide one-off information specific to the particular observation objectives or might be part of an on-going system specified by the teacher, or school policy and procedures for monitoring pupil performance. The formats used could include:
1. free description of pupil performance
2. structured description of pupil performance against agreed headings or in response to pre-determined questions
3. a checklist of expected behaviours
4. specific forms/records specified by the teacher and/or school policy and procedures
Observations
systematically watching pupils engaged on tasks and activities designed to elicit specific behaviours. Observations may be carried out on:
1. individual pupils working on their own
2. individual pupils working as part of a group
3. groups of pupils working together
Performance
the pupils' skills and behaviours to be observed, for example:
1. social and emotional skills, e.g. how they relate and respond to others
2. language and communication skills, e.g. how they use and understand language structures and vocabulary
3. intellectual and cognitive skills, e.g. how they interpret and apply concepts and knowledge
4. physical abilities and skills, e.g. how well they can manipulate objects
Tasks and activities the things that the pupils will be asked to do so that you can observe their performance. The tasks and activities used for observation could include:
1. normal learning activities
2. formal test items to be administered in a controlled way
3. presentation of a specified task with verbal instructions such as “draw me a man/woman”, “measure the height of the cupboard”, “kick the ball”
Links To Other NOS
TDASTL2 Support children's development
TDASTL29 Observe and promote pupil performance and development