The Classroom Observer

Systematic observation is essential for educators to evaluate properly the effectiveness of curricula and to address the problems of individual students. This new third edition emphasizes early childhood, and focuses on those skills that will enable the observer to make appropriate, valid inferences and to arrive at decisions based on objective observation data gathered in natural learning environments and diverse educational settings.

Includes new focuses on:

Procedures for observing environmental factors that affect learning and behaviorThe importance of understanding the cultural and linguistic characteristics of children’s learning environmentsThe key role of observation in the assessment processThe forms of observation, with illustrative examplesThe exploration of reliability, sampling behavior, recording formats, summarizing observational outcomes, and validityUsing photographs, sample worksheets, a simple format, and straight-forward language, the authors cite fascinating real-life examples from early childhood that can be applied to a variety of classroom experiences.